Make Your Headphones Louder: The Ultimate Guide to Boosting Your Audio

Increase volume for an immersive listening experience

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 Fact Checked

Listening to headphones at loud volumes is an incredible escape, whether you want to feel completely submerged in your music or want a more immersive experience while gaming or watching a movie. If your headphones seem too quiet, there are ways to make them louder. Just be aware that listening to volumes above 85 dB (equivalent to a blender or city traffic) for long periods can cause hearing damage over time.^{[1]
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Research source} This wikiHow guide will teach you easy ways to make your headphones louder.

Making Headphones Sound Louder

Adjust the fit of your headphones so they are snug around or in your ears. If listening on a computer, make sure the volume for the headphone output is turned up. On an iPhone or Android, disable the volume limit and increase the EQ. You can also try volume booster or equalizer apps for better sound.

1

Check the volume on your headphones and device.

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Your headphone or device volume may be turned down. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking before anything else. Many headphones and earbuds have built-in volume buttons that can be easy to accidentally adjust. Make sure the volume on your headphones is turned up, then press the volume buttons on your device to make sure your device is turned up.
- Some apps or streaming websites have their own separate volume controls, too. For example, the web version of YouTube has its own volume slider located on the bottom left side of each video. Make sure whatever you’re watching, playing, or listening to isn’t turned down or muted.

2

Adjust the fit of your headphones.

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Your headphones may not be secure in or around your ears. Most headphones have adjustable bands you can use to adjust the fit around your head. Adjust the length of the band so that your headphones fit securely around your ears. Also, check to make sure the band isn’t damaged in a way that’s preventing a snug fit.

3

Try a different-sized earbud cover.

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If you use earbuds or in-ear headphones, the cover may be the wrong size. Many earbud brands come with different-sized covers you can put on the earbuds so that they fit more securely in your ears.
- You can also try foam covers on your earbuds. These can increase the volume by providing a more secure fit inside your ear canal and blocking outside noise.

4

Clean your headphones or earbuds.

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Dirty earbuds or headphones can muffle sound. Earbuds, especially, can accumulate earwax and debris that can block sound. You can clean your earbuds using a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol or micellar water.^{[2]
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Research source} Do not submerge your earbuds in the alcohol. Use a slightly damp cotton swab to clean your earbuds. You can use a soft brush, like a toothbrush, to clean any stubborn grime or earwax.

5

Ensure the volume buttons are enabled.

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The volume buttons may be disabled for media on your device. On most devices, you can adjust the volume of music, videos, or games using the volume buttons. However, most devices allow you to turn the volume buttons on or off, which could prevent you from increasing the volume when you want the sound in your headphones to be louder. If the device volume is up and your headphones still sound too quiet, turn this feature off and see if you can get a louder volume using the volume buttons on your headphones alone:
- iPhone and iPad:
  - Open the Settings app and tap Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older devices).
  - Tap the toggle switch next to Change with buttons.^{[3]
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- Android:
  - Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear icon to open the Settings menu.
  - Tap Sound and vibration.
  - Tap Volume.
  - Tap the toggle switch next to Use Volume buttons for media.

6

Disable or increase the volume limit.

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Your device may be limiting your headphone volume. Many devices (particularly smartphones) come with volume limitation settings for safety reasons. If your headphones or earbuds aren't loud enough, even at full volume, check and make sure sound limitation settings aren’t activated. Use one of the following steps to do so:
- iPhone and iPad:
  - Open the Settings app and tap Sounds & Haptics (or just Sounds on older devices).
  - Tap Limit Volume.
  - Either turn off Limit Maximum Volume or drag the slider bar to increase the maximum volume.^{[4]
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- Android:
  - Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear icon in the upper-right corner to open the Settings menu.
  - Tap Sound and vibration.
  - Tap Volume.
  - Tap the icon with three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner and tap Media volume limit.
  - Either turn the media volume limit off or drag the slider bar to increase the volume.

7

Check the sound output settings on your computer.

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The volume may be too low for your headphone output. Windows computers, in particular, allow you to set a different volume for different output devices (i.e., headphones vs. built-in speakers) and individual apps. If you're using headphones with a computer, use these steps to make sure the headphone volume is as high as it should be:
- Windows:
  - Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar in the lower-right corner.
  - Click Sound Settings.
  - Make sure your headphones are selected, and the volume slider is turned up.
  - Scroll down and click Volume Mixer.
  - Make sure the volume for the app you are using is turned up.^{[5]
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- Mac:
  - Click the Apple menu and click System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions of macOS).
  - Click Sound.
  - Make sure your headphones are selected as the output device.
  - Use the slider bar to adjust the volume for your headphones.^{[6]
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8

Enable or disable noise cancellation.

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Noise cancellation or external noise may make your headphones seem quiet. Many modern headphones have noise cancellation technology built in. This works by detecting external noise and generating a negative sound wave that cancels the external noise. This may increase the volume by blocking the external noise. However, on some headphones, the power it takes to cancel external noise may decrease the overall volume of your headphones. Try enabling and disabling noise cancellation to see which makes your headphones louder.^{[7]
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9

Adjust the EQ.

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Your equalizer settings may not be optimized. Many audio apps have built-in equalizers you can use to adjust the tone of your sounds and, in some cases, make your headphones sound louder. Some headphones come with a companion app that has equalizer settings. If nothing else, you can download third-party equalizer apps. You may need to experiment to find settings you like.
- Try slightly lowering the low bass and high treble frequencies while slightly increasing the mid-range frequencies.
- Many EQ apps have preset settings you can select to set the volume and effects automatically. You can select the best equalizer settings for different styles of music, gaming, bass boost, or whatever your preferences are.
- Some equalizers let you boost the gain or preamp, which will increase the volume in your headphones. However, if you boost the gain too much, it will distort the sound.
- To access the EQ on an iPhone or iPad:
  - Open the Settings app.
  - Go to Apps > Music > EQ.^{[8]
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  - Select a preset.
- On Android:
  - Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear icon.
  - Tap Sound and vibrations.
  - Tap Sound quality and effects.
  - Select an EQ app (if you don't have one, install one from the Play Store) and adjust the EQ settings or select an EQ preset.

10

Use a volume-boosting app.

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Volume-boosting apps can increase the volume beyond the normal maximum. There are apps you can download that increase the volume on your headphones and have equalizers and effects to enhance your sound. Some of these apps are free, some have paid extra features, and some are paid with a free trial period. The following are some sound-boosting apps you can try:
- iPhone and iPad: Equalizer FX, Equalizer - Volume Booster, Louder Volume Booster, Volume Booster, and Volume Booster Max.
- Android: Poweramp Equalizer, Wavelet, Music Volume EQ, Equalizer FX, and Volume Booster.
- Windows: Equalizer APO, FXSound, Letasoft Sound Booster, DeskFX, and Breakaway Audio Enhancer
- Mac: eqMac, Boom2: Volume Boost & Equalizer, and Sound Booster

11

Buy a headphone amplifier.

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Your headphones may not have enough power to go louder. If the volume of your headphones is too quiet, you can buy a portable amplifier to boost the volume of your headphones. An amplifier will increase the volume by adding additional power to your headphones. Connect the amplifier to your device, then connect your headphones to the amplifier for additional volume.

12

Update your device.

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Your audio drivers may be outdated. Keeping your system updated will generally ensure that you have the latest audio drivers. If your audio drivers are outdated, you may start to experience problems with your sound. Use one of the following steps to update your device:
- iPhone & iPad:
  - Open the Settings app and tap General.
  - Go to Software Update > Install Now or Download and Install if an update is available.
- Android:
  - Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Gear icon.
  - Scroll down and tap Software Update (it may be under the System option on some devices).
  - Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts if an update is available.
- Windows:
  - Click the Windows Start button and type “Windows Update.”
  - Click Windows Update settings.
  - Click Download & Install if an update is available.
  - You can also click Advanced Options followed by Optional Updates in the Windows Update settings menu and install optional updates.
- Mac:
  - Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  - Click General.
  - Click Software Update.
  - Click Update Now if an update is available.

13

Buy new headphones.

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Your headphones may not provide the volume you want. Not all headphones are built the same. Some are naturally quieter than others. Damage to your headphones may also affect the volume and sound quality. If you notice one side is louder than the other, this is a good sign that your headphones may be damaged. If you have an older pair of headphones, they may be reaching the end of their lifespan. If you purchased an inexpensive pair of headphones or earbuds, you may want to invest in a better-quality pair.

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Tips

When listening to loud music or other audio, take a 5-minute break every hour to rest your ears.^{[9]
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Noise-canceling headphones make it possible to enjoy music at a lower volume by canceling out distracting outside noise.

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Warnings

Listening to loud music can damage your hearing over time. To protect your ears, avoid going over the safe volume suggested by your device.^{[10]
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