Audio distortion in headphones can ruin music, calls, and videos on your RealMe 16. The sound may crackle, feel muffled, or suddenly spike in volume. This problem is usually caused by software settings, connection issues, or audio enhancements that do not play well with certain headphones.
Why Your RealMe 16 Has Distorted Headphone Audio
- Audio effects or sound enhancements are enabled.
- The headphone jack or cable has dirt or minor damage.
- Bluetooth audio settings are mismatched with your headphones.
- Cached system audio data is corrupted.
- A recent software update introduced an audio bug.
1. Restart the Phone
Restarting clears temporary audio glitches and resets the sound service. This is the quickest way to rule out a minor software issue.
Open Settings, and then scroll down to System.
Tap Restart, and then wait for the phone to boot back up.
2. Turn Off Sound Effects and Enhancements
Audio enhancements can clash with some headphones and cause distortion. Disabling them forces the phone to output clean, unprocessed sound.
Open Settings, and then tap Sound and vibration.
Tap Sound effects or Audio enhancements, and then turn all effects off.
3. Test With a Different Pair of Headphones
This step helps you confirm whether the issue comes from the phone or the headphones themselves. Damaged cables or worn drivers often cause crackling sounds.
Plug in another pair of wired headphones, and then play music.
Listen carefully, and then check if the distortion is still present.
4. Check Bluetooth Audio Settings
If you are using wireless headphones, the Bluetooth codec may be causing poor sound quality. Adjusting these settings can stabilize audio playback.
Open Settings, and then tap Bluetooth.
Tap the gear icon next to your headphones, and then disable HD audio if it is enabled.
5. Clean the Headphone Port
Dust or lint inside the headphone jack can interfere with the audio signal. Cleaning it gently often restores clear sound.
Turn off the phone, and then unplug your headphones.
Use a soft brush or wooden toothpick, and then carefully clean the port.
6. Clear Audio App Cache
Corrupted cache data can affect sound output across apps. Clearing it refreshes how audio is processed.
Open Settings, and then tap Apps.
Find your music or media app, and then tap Storage and clear the cache.
7. Update the Phone Software
Software updates often include fixes for known audio issues. Running an outdated version can leave bugs unresolved.
Open Settings, and then tap Software update.
Tap Check for updates, and then install any available update.
Most headphone distortion issues on the RealMe 16 come down to settings conflicts or minor hardware problems. Once you disable sound effects, refresh connections, and clean the audio port, the sound usually returns to normal.
FAQs
Why does my RealMe 16 sound distorted only with one app?
That app may have its own equalizer or audio effects enabled. Check the app’s internal settings and disable any sound enhancements.
Does high volume cause headphone distortion?
Yes. Playing audio at maximum volume can overload headphone drivers and cause crackling. Lowering the volume often fixes the issue immediately.
Can a software update really fix audio distortion?
Yes. Manufacturers often patch audio bugs through updates, especially after users report distortion problems following earlier releases.
