Why Did My Speakers Stop Working?

There are several reasons why your speakers might have stopped working. Here are some common issues to check:

Power Supply

Ensure that the speakers are plugged in and powered on. Check if any power indicators are lit. If the speakers are battery-powered, make sure you have fresh batteries.

Connection Issues

Verify that all cables are securely connected. If using wired speakers, check the audio cables and ensure they are properly plugged into both the speakers and the audio source like a computer or audio receiver.

Audio Source Settings

Check the volume settings on both the audio source like your computer or phone and the speakers. Make sure the audio output is not muted.

Device Settings

On a computer, go to the sound settings to ensure the correct output device is selected. Sometimes the system may default to a different output like headphones.

Driver Issues

If you’re using a computer, outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause issues. Check for updates or reinstall the audio drivers.

Software Conflicts

Sometimes applications or settings can interfere with audio playback. Restart your device or close any applications that might be using audio.

Hardware Problems

If none of the above solutions work, there might be a hardware issue with the speakers themselves. This could be a blown speaker or internal component failure.

If you’ve gone through these steps and the problem persists, consider testing the speakers with a different device to determine if the issue lies with the speakers or the original audio source.

After nearly fifty years of daily use, the voice coil in one of my KEF B139 bass drivers in my Cambridge Audio R50 speakers went open circuit. Mechanically it was fine, so I could perhaps have got it repaired. But I was in a hurry, so I just bought a replacement driver and dropped it in. That driver cost more pounds than the pair of speakers did 50 years ago. That’s inflation for you.

You don’t say whether your speakers are 'plug-in' or battery powered. If they’re 'plug-in' check to make sure that they actually ARE plugged in. If they are, there’s a good chance the the power converter, the box that actually plugs into the outlet, is burned out. If they’re battery powered, you might want to put in fresh batteries.