Subaru Sound Not Working [Causes + Solution]

This article will explain Subaru Sound Not Working. On our commutes, we’d all prefer to listen to “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel rather than actual silence, but if your car has an electrical issue, the stereo may not even turn on.

They can range from quick, simple, and affordable fixes to challenging-to-diagnose wiring problems that require specialized equipment and knowledge.

In the paragraphs below, we’ll review four typical electrical issues that can arise in your car and prevent the stereo from working correctly. The team of factory-trained specialists at Capitol Subaru has all the knowledge required to identify the issue of Subaru Sound Not Working with your car and fix it correctly.

Subaru Sound Not Working – The Reason

Everyone enjoys listening to music while driving. You will undoubtedly love Subaru’s radio system while driving if you own an SUV or a vehicle made by this international automobile manufacturer. However, occasionally you could get Subaru radio silence. Do you know why it occurs and how to resolve this issue?

Subaru Outback Radio No Sound is primarily caused by blown fuses, failing amplifiers, loose wires, antenna or tuner issues, and obsolete software. After determining the root of the issue, you can solve it swiftly.

You can resolve the issue independently if you are familiar with the troubleshooting steps. Before beginning to repair the radio sound system in your Subaru cars, be sure you have some technical understanding.

How To Fix Subaru Radio Volume Not Working?

Antenna / Tuner Issue

You will need an antenna to connect to the local news, music, and sports stations. It is unquestionably a defective sound system if you have an antenna or tuning issue. To solve the issue, you need to correct it right away.

Solution

A physical inspection might instantly reveal a broken antenna. Replace the Subaru antenna with a new Subaru car radio antenna if you can tell that it is damaged.  MAOERYAN Subaru, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan are compatible with the car’s short antenna.

But you should blame the tuner if you have ruled out all the issues above and the problem still needs to be remedied. Verify the head unit’s built-in tuner. By connecting your phone, an MP3 player, a CD, or other input devices to your Subaru radio, you can verify it. If the sound comes from other input devices, you must reset the tune to hear it.

Outdated Software

Like your phones or other gadgets, your Subaru radio needs software support. Every time a feature is updated, it must also be updated.  Subaru radio will turn on but not play any sound if you don’t care about the update notifications. You must update it before an out-of-date piece of software starts to exhibit issues.

Solution

If the software is outdated, go to settings and look for a Subaru radio software update. To update the software, click the update button.  I’m hoping you can solve the issue. However, to use the upgraded features, the radio must be restarted.

Loose Wires/Damaged Wires

For the Subaru radio to operate well, perfect wiring is necessary. If you have an issue with loose or damaged cables, your sound system cannot work properly. You must inspect the speaker wire, amplifier, and head unit.

Solution

Start by inspecting the wiring for the head unit. You’ll need access to the backside to inspect the wiring for the head unit. It could be challenging to remove the dashboard. As a result, read the user handbook first or seek advice from a qualified mechanic; otherwise, you risk damaging the dashboard.

Slowly pull back the head unit after unscrewing the screws using a radio screwdriver to access the cables. Select the NEIKO 01378A Magnetic Screwdriver Set for this task.  Thoroughly inspect the wires; if any are broken, gently draw them back and replace or repair them. Tighten any loose wires if necessary.

The head unit wires have been examined and are satisfactory; now, examine the amplifier wires. Subaru’s amplifier is hidden behind the stereo. Check the amplifier’s wires to ensure they are secure and in good condition.

Check the speaker wires last; you must check each wire separately. Use a flathead screwdriver from the radio screwdrivers package to reach the speaker wires.  Use a soldering gun to fix any disconnected or loose wires. Weller D550PK Professional Soldering Gun Kit is my fave. Ensure that it is hot enough to solve the problem right away.

Faulty Amplifier

Sound signals must be amplified using amplifiers. They increase input signals to produce stronger signals. If your amplifier is broken, it won’t be able to amplify sound, leading to a radio sound system problem.

Solution

Replacement of the defective amplifier is the only solution. But to make sure the amplifier is bad, test it using a multimeter.

• Start by locating the amplifier, which can be done by looking under the dashboard or in the trunk of a Subaru. The user handbook can also be used to locate the amplifier.
• Turn on the ignition and attach the amplifier wires to the multimeter. In that procedure, the AstroAI Digital Multimeter can be of considerable assistance. Use the multimeter to check the voltage. If the value is between 11 and 14 volts, the amplifier has no issue. The amplifier is flawed and needs to be returned if there is no voltage or a voltage lower than 11.
• Use an amplifier with the same amp rating to swap out the defective one.

To change the amplifiers, you will require an essential toolbox, such as the DEWALT Tool Box, which has several size screwdrivers.

Blown Fuse

Electrical issues are the main reasons for Subaru Impreza’s radio silence. Therefore, you should examine the fuse box before checking anything else. The bad fuse will reduce power, rendering your Subaru sound system inoperative.

Solution

Find the radio fuse first; its location varies depending on the car. The Subaru fuse can be found in the engine compartment or, viewed from the passenger side, beneath the steering wheel. 

You will need an open-end wrench to access the engine bay and locate the fuse. For this task, you can utilize the DEWALT Combination Wrench Set. 

Once the fuse has been discovered, please remove it from the electrical connectors and start the car. Check the fuse wires very carefully. The fuse won’t be able to power the radio if the wire is broken. If the fuse is broken, swap it out for one with a similar amp rating.

Conclusion

Subaru radio works well and lasts for a long time. But it could be flawed due to the Subaru Sound Not Working. You can resolve these problems with simple instructions, so don’t worry about them. 

When you suffer a broken Subaru sound system, the main items to examine are system settings, out-of-date software, blown fuses, and cables. If you believe you cannot resolve the issue independently, seeking professional assistance is preferable. Your time will be saved, but it will cost you a little.

Frequently Asked Questions