Fix Nintendo Switch Crackling Audio – 3 Simple Steps

If you find that a crackling audio is coming out of your Nintendo Switch, there can be a few reasons for this issue.

In this post, I’ll go through each of the possible causes so you can troubleshoot this problem for good.

Why Does Nintendo Switch Have Crackling Audio?

• Wrong volume settings, or you are constantly playing the game at high sound, damaging the speakers.

2. Damaged Speakers

Sometimes the speakers can malfunction due to a power surge or overuse.

Change the volume settings on your speakers and if you hear the crackling sound on the right side, it means that the right-side speaker is damaged. If the audio issues arise from the left side, it means that the left-side speaker is not working.

3. Overheating

Another problem that might occur that leads to a crackling sound in the Nintendo Switch is overheating.

If the console has been working overtime, the fan will start to run rapidly to blow out the hot air.

When the fan has been running constantly it can also unhinge from the mainframe and it can start hitting the back of the console. 

Solutions For Nintendo Crackling Audio

Nintendo Switch is an improved version with a 7-inch OLED and a multi-touch display. The Nintendo switch can incur damages or produce crackling audio due to various underlying issues. You can resolve these problems by making a few changes.

Step 1 – Keep The Volume Moderate

The volume settings on the Nintendo switch can destabilize the audio, resulting in a crackling noise. When you maintain the volume below 30 percent, the sound system plays the right audio sounds.

Keep the volume settings above 30% to reduce the crackling noise in the Switch.   

Here is how you can manage the rest of the sound setting to fix the crackling audio problem.

• Change the settings of Nintendo Switch from
• Go to “System Settings” 
• Click on “Sound”
• You will see three options:
  • Mono
    These sound settings are for television. It does not work with a stereo causing a crackling noise.
  • Stereo
    These sound settings are for the left and right stereos or a television.
  • Surround
    The settings are for surround sound.

• If the “Mono” is selected, replace it with “Stereo” or “Surround”.
• Click “Confirm” to save the settings.

Step 2 – Unplug The Audio

If the crackling noise persists, unplug all the devices from the console. Once all the devices are disconnected, the mixed audio signals will clear up. To make sure you unplug everything properly, follow the given steps:

1.  If you are playing Nintendo Switch on a docked mode, undock it from the television.
2. Disconnect the plug from the audio device.
3. Disconnect Bluetooth from the console.
4. Go into System Settings.
5. Select “Mute when Headphones are Disconnected”  and turn it off.

After disconnecting all other audio devices, check the sound from the console itself. Tun up the volume and listen for the crackling noise. If the crackling noise does not appear, then the problem is resolved.  

When you press the volume button and still hear crackling audio, it means the problem lies elsewhere. Try the next step to fix the problem.

Step 3 – Replace The Speakers

After unplugging the Nintendo Switch to fix the Nintendo switch, you can try another solution. When the crackling persists after turning up the volume above 30 percent, it means that the speakers are damaged.

Replace the damaged speaker by checking the side where the crackling sound appears. If the crackling sound appears on the right side, it means that the right side speaker is damaged.

If the left side produces the crackling audio, the left speaker is damaged. 

Follow the given steps to replace the speaker on the Nintendo Switch:

• Loosen all the screws at the back of the Switch and remove the back cover. 
• Unplug the battery of the Switch.
• Take out the speaker using a tweezer. (Be careful while removing the speaker from its slot)
• Disconnect the speaker and place a new speaker in its place.
• Attach the wires in the white slot and check the speakers before reassembling the Switch.
• If the speaker work starts reassembling the Switch.
• When reassembling the speaker, tuck the speaker wire under the power cable. 
• Wipe off the old thermal paste that fixes the back cover onto the Nintendo.
• Add a new layer of thermal paste.
• Spread the thermal paste evenly on both surfaces and fix the heat spreader.  
• Fix the SD card screw as it is a small screw than all the other screws.
• Attach all the black screws to fix the back of the Nintendo Switch.

Conclusion

Nintendo Switch audio is one of the few devices that offer hand-held usage. Its delicate volume settings can cause a crackling sound. Many underlying reasons can result in crackling audio while playing your favourite games.

The Nintendo switch audio problems should be fixed by applying the given solutions.  If you still hear a crackling noise, you can contact Nintendo support to repair your speakers or console.