Hi, right headphone channel defect on HP Pavillion Laptop

[mic2025]

Hello, I have unplugged the Headphone Jack while an amplifier was still connected without turning it off before.  I heard a loud bang in the speakers and since then the right side of the headphones does not work anymore, only a little click now and then.  I asume I fried a part in the headphone board.  How can I make sure that this might be the case or should I replace the board right away?

Note:  When connecting the headphones to a USB adapter or bluetooth, both channels are still working, which makes me think that the soundcard and motherboard are still ok. 

Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  

[Garp_senchau]

Hi @mic2025,

Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Test the headphones with another device:

• You already mentioned testing the headphones with a USB adapter or Bluetooth, and both channels work. This suggests that the problem is likely with the headphone jack or the amplifier connection, not with the headphone speakers themselves.

Check for physical damage:

• Inspect the headphone cable, jack, and connectors for any visible damage (e.g., bent pins, frayed cables, or a loose connection). Sometimes, the issue could be as simple as a faulty or loose connection.

Test the amplifier output:

• Plug the headphones back into the amplifier and try a different pair of headphones or speakers. Does the right channel still not work with the new headphones? If both the new headphones fail to work in the right channel, the amplifier output could be damaged.
• If the right channel still works with a different headphone, then the issue is isolated to the first pair of headphones.

Swap the headphone cable (if detachable):

• If your headphones have a detachable cable, try using a different cable that is known to work. This would help you isolate whether the issue is in the cable itself or the internal components of the headphones.

[Garp_senchau]

Check the speaker components (if possible):

• If you’re comfortable opening up the headphones, look for any obvious damage on the internal circuitry or speaker components (broken solder joints, burnt areas, or damaged wires). This could give you a clue about where the issue lies.

Check the amplifier’s output:

• If you’re using an external amplifier, ensure the output channels are working properly. Try connecting a different pair of headphones or speakers to the same output. If the right channel still fails to work, the issue could be with the amplifier.
• If the amplifier has different output channels (e.g., a "headphone" output and a "line-out"), test both to see if the issue is specific to one type of output.

Test the impedance of the headphones:

• You could measure the impedance of the headphone speakers (if you have access to a multimeter). Compare the reading with the manufacturer's specifications to check if the speakers are damaged or if one of the channels is faulty.
• You can measure impedance by touching the multimeter probes to the terminals inside the headphone jack (or where the speakers are connected inside the headphones).

Power surge damage analysis:

• If the sound of a loud bang occurred, it's possible that a capacitor or resistor in the headphone circuitry was damaged, possibly by overvoltage or a short. If you have electronics repair knowledge, you might be able to test individual components (especially capacitors or resistors) for faults. If you suspect this type of damage, replacing the affected part may resolve the issue.

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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