Car Subwoofer Not Working but Amp Has Power: The Solutions

It’s frustrating when you want to enjoy music as you drive, but your system fails to work. Sometimes you will just check a few things, and the systems work perfectly.

When the stereo system doesn’t work, you first look at the AMP and see if it’s powered. The most obvious thing to do is to power it ON if you find out it doesn’t have power.

However, when your AMP is powered, and the subwoofers don’t work, you won’t know where to start. You give up on listening to music until.

Then you go back to your Garage and try to figure out the problem.

We know how frustrating this can be.

But we have good news for you. You don’t have to get a mechanic to handle the problem for you. This is a simple thing that you can fix on your own.

In this article, we will discuss with you a simple solution to Car subwoofer not working when AMP has power.

Let’s get started.

Solutions To Car Subwoofer Not Working When AMP Has Power

1. Check The Volume

When the car subwoofers are not working, but the AMP has power, the first thing you need to do is to check your volume level. Try and turn it on.

This is the first thing that should come to your mind before trying any other solution.

Car Subwoofer not working

It might seem like an obvious thing to do, but most people forget it. Most people expect a bigger problem. And it’s easy to forget to check the volume level.

Check also if you have put your subwoofer system to mute.

If this is the problem, your subwoofer should work well. But if turning on the volume doesn’t help, don’t worry – check your inputs.

Also Read: Fix A Touchscreen Car Stereo

2. Check Inputs

If your AMP is working correctly, but you can’t hear any sound coming from the subwoofer, check your input. Ensure your system is receiving an input signal.

First, start by checking whether the input cables are plugged. Look at the head unit.

If it’s plugged already, unplug it. Remove the RCA cable from the head unit and reconnect it again. When reconnecting again, first inspect the cables to see any breakage.

After reconnecting the RCA cables, turn the unit on. Check whether every input is working properly.

If you are using a radio tuner, auxiliary input, or CD player, ensure that they are all working well. In case you find our inputs are not working, you need to replace them with quality and durable inputs.

The following are the best inputs you will find in the market. But them from Amazon today and enjoy listening to audio in your car.

Radio Tuner & CD Player: Boss Audio System

Here is a powerful, multipurpose car tuner. It’s a 7 inches DVD receiver that comes with USB charging. With it, you can play CD, DVD, hands-free calling, SD Aux-in, MP3, SD Aux-in, USB, FM/AM Radio receiver, and Bluetooth Audio.

Key Features

  •         Bluetooth operations – calls, microphone pick up, and audio playing
  •         Compatible with smart devices
  •         Connects to subwoofer Pre-amp outputs

The audio system is available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon today.

Auxiliary Input: CableCreation Aux Cable for Car

Here is an auxiliary cable designed specifically for cars. It’s strong enough to withstand tear and wears that break Aux cables.

Therefore, if you found out that the Aux cable was the problem, this is your solution. It comes in different lengths. You can choose what will perfectly fit your needs.

Key Features

  •         Soft and durable cotton braiding
  •         Premium sound quality
  •         Compatible with all car Aux input ports

CableCreation Aux Cable for Car is available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon today.

After buying other working inputs, you should be able to enjoy your music without any disruptions. However, buy the inputs only when you are sure they are the problem.

If you check your inputs and find them working properly, but still, you can hear any sound in your subwoofers, then you need to look at your wiring.

3. Check Your Wiring

Wiring is one of the issues that will make your car subwoofers to fail even when AMP has power. The subwoofers are connected to speaker wires and power sources.

This wiring is mostly found underneath the dashboard. And if there is a problem with the wiring, then the subwoofer won’t work.

Therefore, check subwoofer wiring and ensure there are no damages.

As you inspect the wiring, it’s essential to start with the fuse. The fuse blows up when there are power upsurges in your car. It blows to break the circuit and prevents further damages to the subwoofer.

Car wiring can be complicated. Unless you are an expert or confident with checking it yourself, we recommend that you get a skilled mechanic to check the wiring.

An experienced mechanic will easily identify and fix any wiring issues in your car.

4. Check the Speakers

After you have checked everything else and nothing seems to be the problem, it’s time to check your speakers.

Sometimes the speaker wire get’s loose or broken. This happens mostly when the subwoofer is overheating – something which is common.

Other times your speakers could be completely damaged. And if the speakers are damaged, they won’t work despite all other components working perfectly.

So, when the speakers are damaged, the next thing to do is remove and replace them with new and quality speakers.

But before you buy any speaker, first check the power level of your subwoofer and buy a speaker that will easily be supported by your system.

Pioneer TS-A1670F 3-Way Car Speakers are the best and durable speakers you will find in the market. The speakers will give you a high-quality sound when you connect to your subwoofer.

The speakers come in different strengths and power. When you order form Amazon, you can choose the speaker with the same Watts as your subwoofer.

The speakers are available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy them from Amazon today.

Once you buy your speaker, you need to install them over your car. They should give you great performance.

Read Also: How To Jump 3 Wire AC Pressure Switch Easily? Tested Ways

Experiencing a car subwoofer that’s not working despite a powered amp can be frustrating. Let’s explore some simple checks you can perform to identify and resolve the issue.

What Should You Check First:

  • Subwoofer Connections: Inspect the wiring connections between your subwoofer, amp, and head unit. Ensure that all cables are securely connected, and there are no damaged or loose.
  • Amp Settings: Verify that the amp’s settings are correctly configured, including the low-pass filter, gain, and bass boost. Incorrect settings could cause the subwoofer to remain silent.
  • Subwoofer Fuses: Check the subwoofer’s fuse to ensure it’s not blown. Replace any damaged fuses to restore power to the subwoofer.

Still Not Working? Here are some additional troubleshooting tips:

  • Swap the Subwoofer: If you have access to another subwoofer, try connecting it to your existing setup. This will help you figure out if the problem lies with the subwoofer itself or the wiring and amp connections. 
  • Test Subwoofer Impedance: Using a multimeter, measure the subwoofer’s impedance to ensure it matches the amp’s output impedance. A mismatched impedance could cause the subwoofer to malfunction.
  • Inspect the Voice Coil: The voice coil in your subwoofer may have been damaged due to overheating or overuse. Inspect it for any visible signs of damage or burnt coils. If damaged, consider replacing the voice coil or the entire subwoofer.

FAQs

Here below I’ve listed the most frequently asked questions about what to do when a car subwoofers aren’t working but the amp has power:

How do I know if my subwoofer fuse is blown?

To check if your subwoofer fuse is blown, you need to remove it from its holder and then inspect it. If you suspect a blown fuse, then you should see a melted or broken metal wire inside the glass or plastic casing. Alternatively, use a multimeter to test for continuity; no continuity indicates a blown fuse.

Why does my car subwoofer keep cutting out?

A car subwoofer cutting out can result from several issues, including loose connections, overheating, incorrect settings, or insufficient power. Checking wiring and amp settings to ensure proper ventilation to prevent thermal shutdowns. Verify that the amp supplies enough power to the subwoofer.

Why are my subwoofers getting no sound?

Subwoofers with no sound may have issues with wiring connections, a blown fuse, or incorrect amp settings. You must inspect connections, replace damaged fuses, and verify amp settings. Additionally, if the problem persists, consider testing the subwoofer’s voice coil for damage or impedance mismatch with the amp.

Parting Shot

Every time your subwoofer doesn’t work, but the AMP has power, start by checking the volume level. If the volume is okay, the next thing is to inspect the inputs and ensure they are working correctly. Then if that doesn’t solve the problem, check and fix in faults in wiring. But if none of those hacks works, check your speakers. If you notice any problem replace them.

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