How to Fix Bad RCA Connection? Quick Fix for Broken RCA

RCA has been the most widely used connector among users for decades. Even in this digital age, many A/V receivers still support this analog cable connector to send audio signals, especially in car radios.

As the entire system completely depends on the RCA connection, it is really a matter of concern about why the RCA connection isn’t working or how to fix it.

So, if you are stuck at a bad RCA connection issue with your amplifier and can’t find any solution, then you’ve come to the right place because we are going to help you find out the exact reason for this issue and provide you with the perfect solution.

So, let’s find out the way to fix the issue.

Reasons Why the RCA Outputs Aren’t Working?

Before getting any solutions, we need to find out the actual cause of the problem. So, let’s have a quick look at a few common causes for a bad RCA connection.

Reason 1: Sub-Level is Muted

You may hear no sound and assume that the bad RCA connection is responsible for the issue. It may sound pretty silly, but it happened to many users that they accidentally muted the sub-level of the amp and the bass stopped playing.

So, the first thing you should do is – make sure that the volume isn’t turned down and adjust the amount of output going into the sub-level. Ensure that the amp isn’t muted.

Reason 2: Wrong Input

As the amp has a couple of RCA sockets, it is normal to get confused easily and put the RCA cables into the wrong sockets.

The first set of sockets is used for the radio unit and the second set of sockets is used for adding a new amp to the speaker.

So, make sure that the RCA cable is connected to the correct input port of the stereo receiver. You can follow the label on the harness of the stereo.

Reason 3: Damaged Cables

The RCA connection may not work due to broken RCA cables. However, it is a rare case that a new RCA cable can go bad. But the chances for an RCA cable to go bad isn’t a new thing.

If the cables are tugged or pulled excessively, then the wire inside the cable may break and you’ll get no connection from the RCA output.

In this case, you need to replace the RCA cables with new ones. But before that, you need to ensure that you have checked the RCA cables correctly.

Reason 4: Internal Components are Damage

It is pretty common that the power cable of both the stereo and the amp gets attached which leads to damaging the internal components of the amplifier or the stereo.

If this is the case, your amp won’t work including the RCA connection. But before that, you may hear a thumping sound from your stereo.

In this case, you need to replace the damaged components and the RCA connectors as well as the power cable.

How to Fix Bad RCA Connection – Steps to Follow

If you find no signal from the attached device to an amplifier or a CD player, then most likely the RCA input is broken. However, you can fix it easily by applying the following steps.

Step 1: Open the Case of the Device

First, you need to unplug the device from the power source and turn the device onto its top to examine the bottom panel. Take a screwdriver and open the outer case of the device. You may need to remove screws from the side of the device to open it.

Step 2: Check the Wires

The first thing you should do after opening the device is to check the wire that is leading to the RCA input. If any wire is detached or frayed, then there are possibilities to fix it.

Step 3: Remove the Damaged Wire

Identify the broken wire and cut it out from the frayed section. Next, measure ¼ inch from the cut and remove the wire insulation.

Step 4: Solder the Broken Wire

Now, hold the bare end of the wire against the trace of solder of the tab which is the back of the RCA input from where the wire came off. Now, connect the wire and the tab using a soldering iron and solder the junction between the wire and the RCA input.

Step 5: Re-assemble the Device

Once the solder gets cool, re-assemble the cover to the device and plug it back in the power source. Now check if the RCA connection is working properly or not.

If the issue doesn’t resolve after this, then replace the wire and the RCA connector of the device and solder it correctly. Don’t forget to ensure that the cables are not damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Fix a Loose RCA Connection?

An RCA connector can get loose over time. But you can easily fix it using a plier. Gently pinch the teeth of the RCA connectors using the plier and slightly bend enough so that they can fit into the input or output port tightly. Be careful not to pinch too hard, or the teeth of the RCA port may break off.

How Do I Know if My RCA Cable Is Bad?

RCA cables can get damaged due to excessive tangling or if it was pulled so hard. Connect the other RCA cables into the output of your receiver and if the second one works, then you can assume that your RCA cable is bad.

However, the connector of the RCA cable can decay over time and get damaged due to rust. In this case, your RCA cable may not work and you need to replace the connectors of the cable.

How Do I Clean an RCA Connection?

You can clean the RCA connection using alcohol and the Q-Tip. Take a little amount of rubbing alcohol onto a Q-Tip and insert it into the port of the RCA connector. Now rotate the Q-Tip in one direction and take it out.

Repeat this process several times until the Q-Tip is visibly clean after taking it out from the port. Re-clean the connector in the same process using a new Q-Tip.

Can an RCA Cable Be Repaired?

The mechanism of the RCA cable is quite simple and you don’t need to be an expert to connect the RCA cable to the connectors. As it transmits analog audio and video signal, it uses two wires to connect with the connector.

The RCA cable may not work if the connection between the wire and the connector is broken. So, soldering it back using a soldering iron can repair an RCA cable.

Do Expensive RCA Cables Make a Difference?

As RCA cables are used to transmit audio signals, it is important to use good wire inside the RCA cable to get a good sound system. The wiring of a cheap RCA cable is poor and you can’t get the best sound quality using these cables.

On the other hand, premium wires are used in expensive RCA cables so that you can get the best sound system using it. You are able to realize the differences between the $10 RCA cable and the $1000 RCA cable by observing the sound system.

Final Words

If you are facing problems with the RCA output of our amplifier or CD player, then it is probably because of the faulty RCA connection. You can easily fix the RCA connection by following the method given above in this article. If the issue doesn’t resolve after attaching the wire as instructed in the above section, then some internal components of your device might be damaged and you need to contact a professional.