How to diagnose and suppress noise

An interactive flowchart to help you solve some common problems found in car audio systems

Electrically speaking, your car is a pretty active place. Every piece of electronic equipment in your car, such as power windows, windshield wipers, and the alternator, generates its own small electrical field. These fields can be conducted through the metal that makes up your car's body and chassis. They're not really a problem until they sneak into the audio components of your stereo system and become noise.

Check all connections
You can solve almost all noise problems, without the need for adding noise filters, by making sure that every component is installed properly, that high-quality equipment (especially wiring and cables) is used, and that the car's charging system is working properly.

Loose grounds cause noise
Besides the stereo system, noise can also come from the vehicle's electrical system. Often, tightening or replacing a vehicle's ground cables will clear up the noise issue in the sound system.

Check the battery fluid level and fill, if necessary
Make sure the battery leads are tight to their posts
Make sure the battery's negative-to-chassis ground cable is sturdy, intact, and tightly secured

How to diagnose and eliminate noise
Use the following process to diagnose and cure the most common noise problems associated with systems with outboard amplifiers. The idea is to isolate the specific cause of the noise so you can eliminate it. For a more detailed explanation on how to eliminate noise, see our Car Audio Noise Suppression Guide. If these tips don't solve the problem, it's helpful to be able to call on Crutchfield Tech Support. If you purchased your gear from Crutchfield, or purchased tech support separately, you can contact them toll-free seven days a week.

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12 comments (view)

Samuel Jordan from Little rock
Posted on 8/12/2019
I just recently installed a sub and amp in my car I've just found out that the car has a Built-in Bluetooth that picks up the engine and muffler is their any way to eliminate that sound coming throughout the sub are it just be a bad ground

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 8/13/2019
Samuel, If you're talking about noise that tracks the engine RPMs, then it's usually a loose ground or power connection. If you're talking about noise generated by your vehicle's noise management system, whether noise reduction or augmentation, then you'll have to disable that system or forget about adding a sub.
Damian
Posted on 2/22/2019
I recently installed a Kenwood KDC-X303 and I'm having issues with it emitting a noise whenever the radio is on, even with the radio at 0 it still makes noise and gets louder when I turn the volume up. Ive checked my grounds and they all seem to be fine along with all my connections. I tried to follow the flow chart but nothing seems to work. What could be my problem here? (It was installed in a 1996 Jeep Cherokee)

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 2/25/2019
Damian, Diagnosing and curing a noise issue is almost always a challenge. If you bought your receiver from Crutchfield, you could call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. Their toll-free number is on your invoice. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Click on this link for details.
Jack Gayle from Tea
Posted on 1/26/2019
I have a 2015 Honda Accord, I added a sub and amp, sometimes when i first start the car the subpulse, and does it every time I put it in reverse. I have a factory back up camera, and it goes away when when I put it in drive. It still tends to have some feedback issues even then. I left the factory head unit in, have tried different ground locations, used the high level inputs, currently using a audio control lc2i converter but doesn't change the feed back. Any suggestions? Will the crux piece help?

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 1/26/2019
Jack, Your Honda has a feature called Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The ANC system uses internally-mounted microphones to detect any "booming" sound in the cabin. It then emits a mirror "anti-noise" signal through the audio system's speakers, which effectively cancels those booming sounds and creates a quieter passenger compartment. Except when you want to add a subwoofer. An online search for "active noise cancellation" in your vehicle may bring up some interesting ideas on how to deal with it.
Kalpesh Manseta from Gujarat
Posted on 1/9/2019
I have got an Audi A4 Bose speakers and amp in my car with Pioneer Head Unit. I hear whining noise when I start the car. The amp has no RCA, please help me out. Thank in advance

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield on 1/10/2019
Kalpesh, Whining noise that changes with the motor's RPMs is usually due to a loose or intermittent ground or power connection. It could be in the receiver's or the amp's wiring.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
Posted on 11/27/2017
Jhampier, Without knowing precisely what factory amp and "aftermarket unit" you're referring to, we can't help you with advice. If you want a question answered about a system, you must identify the gear by brand names and model numbers so we can get the right information to you.
Jhampier Montes from Orlando
Posted on 11/27/2017
What is advise on connecting shield for terminals on a factory amp to aftermarket unit. I hear static I'm the radio. Using rca to avoid using amp and head unit together causing other issues
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/31/2017
Alex, It sounds like your amplifier's remote turn-on lead is not connected properly to a 12-volt source that turns off immediately when the car is turned off. Many cars keep certain electrical circuits live for a few seconds after the ignition is turned off. You shouldn't use any of those circuits for your turn-on signal. If you bought your amp from Crutchfield, you could call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. Their toll-free number is on your invoice. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Click on this link for details.
Alex from Venice
Posted on 8/26/2017
Have a '14 Lexus ES. Very Loud bass noise after car shuts off. I've had a powered sub in my car for about a year with no issues. Recently upgraded to a more powerful amp and sub, (wired from the start with proper size wiring to accommodate a more powerful setup). Have a LOC to create preamp outputs and a remote wire to the amp. Also recently added a Ground Loop isolator in an effort to remedy the noise. Still does it. Have to disconnect the RCA cables from amp before shutting the car off. Please help.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/11/2017
Jason, The first thing that comes to mind is to check and see if the USB cable has come loose from the receiver. Or maybe the cable is bad. If you bought your receiver from Crutchfield, you could call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. Their toll-free number is on your invoice. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Click on this link for details.
Jason Mangen from Bowie
Posted on 8/11/2017
When I plug my iPhone lightning cable into the USB cord connected to to the iPhone slot in my Kenwood dnx773s receiver I get a buzzing sound in the speakers. All other audio is fine. What could be causing this problem?