It doesn’t mean you have to buy a new one if your car subwoofer is not working. There are various reasons why your car subwoofer is not working. There are only a few chances that things go wrong that are beyond repair. Most of the time, you can set them up by investigating the main problem.
Your subwoofer may be quiet, but the amp is on, the subwoofer is acting up, and the speakers work fine. No matter the difficulty, you can solve these problems by taking simple steps. This guide is for you if you face issues with your car subwoofer. We will cover all common problems and their fixes, so stay tuned!
5 Reasons for the Subwoofer Not Working
There are various reasons why your subwoofer is not working. But some of the common issues are below:

Complete Guide: Are Subwoofers Worth it for Music in Cars?
1) Driver Magnet Failed
All subwoofers attach to the permanent driver magnet, which may locate under the cone. But it is not an electromagnet by itself. However, it is closer to the coil of wires, and this coil acts like an electromagnet.
When the voltage and current enter the circuit of this electromagnet via signals, they come from the source. It works with the driver cone and permanent driver and amplifies sound.
If the driver magnet stops working, its interaction will get cut off from the electromagnet. It may happen due to the number of poles in the circuit, and the sound cannot reproduce accurately.
2) Magnets Near the Speaker
A subwoofer bass problem may happen due to another magnet’s vicinity, and the first magnet’s force lines start to change. The output signal distorts if all of these happen near the audio system. And the bass of the sound system acts funny.
3) Cone Seal Failed
The subwoofer requires air near the speakers’ cone to move at a specific frequency. This way, it can reproduce the desired sound because the cone pulls and pushes the air forth and back to make the sound according to plan.
The cone remains stuck between the enclosure, and this seal may break for any reason. It can result in stopping the air push when the cone moves. So, this cone seal failure may cause subwoofer problems.
The air will start moving all around the enclosure rather than forth and back. As a result, the resistance from the speakers also gets affected as the seal is not in place. It may lead to too much movement. The colliding of speakers with other components may also happen, so it is essential to handle this issue as soon as possible.
4) Because of a Short Circuit
If your subwoofer randomly stops working, it is because of a short circuit. This issue is because the wires responsible for carrying the signals to the subwoofer don’t deliver them on time. Ensure the current will not reach the subwoofer; check all the connections on the sub terminals.

However, if the subwoofers will continue working altogether, the short circuit in the coils stops the electromagnet from working to produce enough power. The cone will be affected by this, which is the heart of all these operations.
5) Not Enough Power
Another reason is if the subwoofer randomly stops working and shows a lack of power due to improper amperage. If it is good in working, then check that the field created from the permanent driver magnet may be weak and cause an issue in its performance. The miss management from the magnet goes against the subwoofer’s design and creates hindrances in its performance.
4 Solutions for Fixing Car Subwoofer Not Working
If your car subwoofers stop working, you can take the following simple steps to resolve these issues. Let’s have a look at these solutions.

1) Check the Speaker Wires
When a subwoofer not working with receiver, you should check the wiring of the subwoofers connecting it from the receiver, speakers, and amps. Make sure all the points are in the right place and have a firm connection. The wires from the subwoofer go back into its output and work to run the amp or receiver back.
You must check the entire wire connecting to the speakers and change it if there is any fault. Replace it with a new one before installing any other gear. It is good to take some basic tests even if you change the wire, and it is only for safety.
2) Check the Fuse and Outlets
Most subwoofers contain an LED for its stand-by mode and light up when they receive power. Check that the subwoofer has a safe connection to the surge protector, power strip, or socket. If you notice that it has terrible connections, your gears will not get enough power from the source.
Also, check all the switches at every point from one end to the other and the power source you use for your car subwoofers. Sometimes it will happen only due to a single switch, which is an excellent way to connect your subwoofer to a different power source.
Check out the length of the wire and replace it if there is any wear and tear in the cable. There is a fuse in the subwoofer. Check it, and for this, you may remove the plate back. If you cannot do this, get a professional’s help.
3) Check the System and Its Settings
After ensuring that the connections and wires are reasonable and work properly, check the settings. Ensure that your receiver and the amp will not tamper, and you may not reset them accidentally. Check out your subwoofer’s input audio choices and output levels.
Your device may contain the settings according to the sub size, so check it, start with the smallest setting, and keep changing them until you get the right size. However, sometimes it requires more extensive settings which can block the signals and stop them from coming to the receiver.
Most receivers are compatible with the more extensive settings, so it is good to check the user manual and change them according to the requirements. If you don’t have the manual, then check it from the manufacturer’s site
4) Reset the Volume & Switch on the Sub
In the end, check your car subwoofer switches and volume levels. Turn on the subwoofer when you finish the wire setting and make all connections safely. But ensure that the volume of the amp and receiver is low.
Set the volume at its minimum level, increase it gradually, and note where the subwoofer is getting cut off. If the volume is the issue, you have another problem, but don’t worry. There is a solution to every issue.
Why has the Car Subwoofer Stopped Working but Amp is On?
It is essential to diagnose the problem first:
- Ensure that the switch is set to Master and not Slave.
- Check that the Mode is LED protected or just powered. If it is Protect Mode, then the solution is different.
- Make sure that the RCA cables are in their compatible connections.
- If the RCA cables are in good condition, check the High-Level Input and see if it is appropriately organized.
- Always use the proper gauge wires.
- If the sign is 0, then increase it gradually.
- Make sure that the battery of the car is in good condition.
You can check the issue with some simple steps. Start by checking the speaker settings to see if the woofers are mute. Turn up the volume if the subwoofers are not mute. Check all the connections, check all the wires, and ensure they are not faulty.
When the subwoofers get too much power, they may blow out, which may also happen due to distorted incoming signals. You can note this problem by just listening to the music and even with the movement of subwoofers. However, if you want a mechanical solution, use a multi-meter, and check the coil.
There is a power button on the sound bar press and hold the button along with input and volume simultaneously. You will see the reset mode on display. Then let go of the buttons and remove the power cord. After 30 seconds, plug it in and see if it is reset.
Yes, a subwoofer has a fuse, and if your subwoofer has no power after turning it on, it may need to change the fuse of your car’s subwoofer. It is a common issue that leads to one subwoofer not working.
These are the common problems you may face if you have a car subwoofer. You can solve them by taking some simple steps, and this guide will prove informative for you in finding the problems of your subwoofers and addressing them. If the subwoofer is not working, there is no need to worry. You can resolve it by yourself but if you are not confident, then get the help of a professional.
Final Words
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