Last updated on January 24th, 2025 at 04:57 pm
Few things are as frustrating as when your subwoofer cuts out when the bass hits. You know the sound I’m talking about – that sickening thud followed by a complete loss of bass. It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out.
Before you do that, though, let’s take a look at some of the reasons your subwoofer might be cutting out when the bass hits, and what you can do to fix the problem.
Why does your subwoofer cut out when the bass hits?
There are a few different reasons why your subwoofer or car sound may cut out when the bass hits.
Severe voltage drop
The first, and most common reason is a severe voltage drop. A voltage drop can happen for a number of reasons.
The most common is having the gain on the amplifier turned up too high. When the gain is turned up, the amplifiers require more power from the electrical system to produce the same amount of volume.
This can quickly overwhelm the electrical system, causing a voltage drop.
Another common cause of voltage drop is having the subwoofers turned up too high.
The louder the subwoofers play, the more power they require from the amplifiers.
This can also cause a voltage drop if the electrical system can’t provide enough power.
Finally, a voltage drop can also be caused by a lack of current as a result of a weak alternator or battery.
If the alternator can’t keep up with the demand for power from the amplifiers, the voltage will drop and the sound will cut out. The same is true for a weak battery.
If the battery can’t supply enough power to the amplifiers, the voltage will drop and the sound will cut out.
Solutions
There are a few different solutions to fix a voltage drop issue. The first is to measure the voltage at the amplifiers while the system is playing.
If the voltage drops below 12 volts, then that’s an indication that the electrical system can’t handle the current demand.
The next solution is to do the “big three” upgrades. This involves upgrading the battery, alternator, and ground wires to thicker gauge wires.
This will help to increase the amount of current that can be drawn from the electrical system, and reduce the chance of a voltage drop.
Another solution is to upgrade the alternator. A higher output alternator will be able to supply more power to the amplifiers, reducing the chance of a voltage drop.
Finally, you can add a power capacitor to the system. A power capacitor stores energy and can help to supply the amplifiers with a short burst of power when needed. This can help to reduce the chance of a voltage drop.
An issue with the amplifier
Another possibility is that your amplifier is faulty. If your amp is going bad, it can cause the subwoofer to cut out when the bass hits.
Another thing can be when the bass hits, the amplifier is most likely lowering the battery voltage and causing it to shut down. After that, when the voltage returns, the amp resets itself.
This is a normal feature of some amps to save the battery and the system from damage. It may occur when the alternator, battery, or power cable is small or faulty.
Sometimes, there may be an issue when the amp’s power is supplied via the same little wire as the head unit, rather than by a heavy cable linked directly to the battery as it should be.
Solutions
If the amp is faulty, you may need to replace it. But, if there is another issue that causes gamp not to work properly, you have to fix that.
Insufficient power source
Another common reason is that you’re using an insufficient power source. If you’re using a small battery or alternator, it may not be able to provide enough power to your subwoofer when the bass hits. This can cause the subwoofer to cut out or produce less bass than usual.
Solutions
To fix this, you have to ensure enough power or upgrade the big 3 such as the alternator, battery, and power cable.
Bad ground connection
Another common reason for the issue is a bad ground connection. If the ground wire is loose or not connected properly, it can cause this problem.
A ground connection for a subwoofer is when the subwoofer is connected to the car’s chassis. This helps to reduce interference and improve the sound quality
Solutions
To fix this, you’ll need to check the ground wire and make sure it’s properly connected.
Low-quality head unit
Another reason why your subwoofer may cut out when the bass hits are because you’re using a low-quality head unit.
A head unit is the part of a car stereo that produces the sound. The power from the battery goes to the head unit, which then amplifies the sound and sends it to the speakers.
If Head units don’t have enough power, they can’t reproduce low frequencies very well, so the bass will sound distorted or cut out completely.
Solutions
To fix this, you’ll need to upgrade your head unit to one that has more power.
Problem with alternator
If your car’s alternator is going bad, it can cause your subwoofer to cut out when the bass hits. This is because a bad alternator can’t provide enough power to run all the electrical components in your car, so when the bass hits, it can cause the voltage to drop and the subwoofer to cut out.
Solutions
To fix this, you’ll need to replace the alternator.
Bad connections and wiring
If you have a subwoofer that’s wired incorrectly, it can cause all sorts of problems, including your subwoofer cutting out.
This is because if the connections and wiring are good, it helps to ensure that the electrical signals are getting from the head unit to the subwoofer correctly.
If the connections and wiring are bad, it can cause the electrical signals to get lost or distorted, which can cause the subwoofer to cut out.
Solutions
Make sure all the connections are snug and that the wiring is correct.
Know about the RCA cable for the subwoofer.
Amp is turned up too high
If the gain on your amplifier is turned up too high, it can cause your subwoofer to clip, which will make it sound distorted and eventually cut out.
Solutions
Turn the gain down until the distortion goes away.
Overloaded subwoofer
One reason is that the subwoofer is overloaded. When a subwoofer is overloaded, it can cause the sound to cut out.
An overloaded subwoofer is when the subwoofer is trying to produce a sound that is too loud for it to handle.
This can happen if the volume is turned up too high, or if the bass is turned up too high.
When this happens, the subwoofer can’t reproduce the sound correctly, so it can sound distorted or cut out.
Solutions
The solution to this problem is to turn down the volume or reduce the bass.
Bad fuse/holder
If the fuse holder or fuse itself is bad or blown, it can cause your subwoofer to cut out.
A fuse is a device that’s used to protect your electrical system from excessive current. It does this by breaking the circuit when the current gets too high.
A fuse holder is a device that’s used to hold the fuse in place. It’s usually made of metal or plastic and has two terminals that the fuse connects to.
So, they may cause the issue when there is a power surge or they are faulty.
Solutions
Check the fuse and holder to see if they’re damaged or corroded. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one. If the fuse holder is damaged, replace it with a new one.
Not enough current
If your alternator is weak, it might not be able to provide enough current to power your subwoofer.
The alternator is a key component in your car’s electrical system. It’s responsible for charging the battery and powering the electrical accessories while the engine is running.
If the alternator is failing, it can cause the subwoofer to cut out when the bass hits because there’s not enough power to go around.
Solutions
Upgrade to a bigger and better alternator.
Subwoofer is defective
Sometimes, the subwoofer itself is defective and will need to be replaced.
This can happen if the subwoofer was damaged in some way or if it’s just not working properly.
If the subwoofer is defective, it might make a crackling sound or it might not make any sound at all.
Check out my other article on why your subwoofer isn’t working but speakers are.
Solutions
If the subwoofer is defective, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
Also, check out the issue regarding subwoofer cuts out but amp stays on.
Troubleshooting a subwoofer that cuts out when the bass hits
Here is the step-by-step guide for you.
- First, you need to check if the problem is with the subwoofer or the amplifier. To do this, take a test tone CD and set it to 60 Hz. If the subwoofer still cuts out, then the problem is with the amplifier. If the subwoofer doesn’t cut out, then the problem is with the subwoofer.
- Next, you need to check the fuse/holder. If the fuse is blown, then replace it with a new one. If the holder is loose, then tighten it.
- Then, you need to check for a voltage drop. To do this, you need to measure the voltage at the amplifier’s power terminals with a multimeter. If the voltage is less than 11 volts, then there is a voltage drop.
- After that, you need to check the gain on the amplifier. If the gain is too high, then turn it down.
- The next step is to determine how high the subwoofer is turned. If it is turned up too high, then turn it down.
- Then, you need to check for a lack of current due to a weak alternator. To do this, you need to measure the voltage at the battery with a multimeter. If the voltage is less than 12 volts, then there is a lack of current.
- After that, you need to check for a loose ground wire. To do this, you need to measure the resistance between the ground terminal and the chassis with a multimeter. If the resistance is more than 0.2 ohms, then there is a loose ground wire.
- Next, you need to check the connections. If the connections are loose, then tighten them.
- Finally, if you have done all of these steps and the problem is still not fixed, then you may need to replace the amplifier or the subwoofer.
How to fix a subwoofer that cuts out when the bass hits?
If your subwoofer or car sound system cuts out when the bass hits, there are a few things that you can do to fix the problem.
1. Troubleshooting and finding out the cause
First thing’s first, check all the connections to your subwoofer and make sure that the ground wire is properly connected. If it’s loose, it could be the reason why your sound cuts out when the bass hits.
Then, measure the voltage, check the gain on the amp, and check the fuse.
2. The Big Three wiring upgrade
Next thing, you should upgrade the big three such as the battery, alternator, and power cable because this is a common cause of subwoofer cutting out.
The Big Three wiring upgrade is the process of upgrading the three main electrical wires in your car: the battery positive, the engine ground, and the alternator positive.
This upgrade will provide more power to your system and prevent the sound from cutting out when the bass hits.
How to perform a “Big Three” electrical upgrade?
1. First, identify the three main electrical wires in your car: the battery positive, the engine ground, and the alternator positive.
2. Next, upgrade the wire that goes from the battery positive to the alternator positive. This is typically the thinnest wire in the system and is the most likely to cause a voltage drop.
3. Finally, upgrade the wire that goes from the engine ground to the chassis. This will help to prevent electrical noise from entering the system and causing your subwoofer to cut out.
Performing the Big Three wiring upgrade is a fairly simple process that anyone can do.
However, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always take your car to a professional to have it done.
3. Add a power cap
Another way to fix this problem is to add a power cap to your system. To create additional bass under high loads, connect a power cap between the car amplifier and battery
This will help stiffen up the voltage and prevent your subwoofer from cutting out when the bass hits.
The power cap serves as an emergency supply. It collects charge when the amp is not in use and releases it when the bass hits.
4. Upgrade the battery
If the problem persists, it could be due to a lack of current. One way to fix this is by upgrading the battery. A bigger and better battery will provide more power to the system and prevent the sound from cutting out.
5. Upgrade the alternator
If the problem persists, you may need to upgrade your alternator. A weak alternator can cause a voltage drop, which can in turn cause your subwoofer to cut out when the bass hits.
Conclusion
A subwoofer can cut out when the bass hits due to severe voltage drop, gain on the amp too high, faulty fuse, a lack of current, bad alternator, a loose ground wire, or bad connections.
To fix the issue, first of all, you have to check the connections, measure the voltage, check the gain on the amp, check the ground wire and check the fuse and then solve the issue.
If the problem persists, you may need to perform the big 3 upgrades, upgrade the battery, upgrade the alternator, or add a power cap.
I am Pallab Kishore, owner of Sound Gears Realm. I like to try different sound gears and home theatre systems. I like to share with you my experience with these devices, especially subwoofers so that you can get help to solve any problem.