Unwanted noise is heard from the headphones (LinkBuds Fit)

Before you start

Radio interference will affect the Bluetooth communication between the headphones and playback device. The interference is likely to occur in a crowded place, near a store's cash registers, near a microwave, near traffic lights or automatic doors, inside a crowded train or in a station, etc. To avoid interference, move the headphones and speaker closer, or set the sound quality mode to Prioritize Stable Connection in the Sony | Sound Connect app.

Solution

1. Select the situation when noise is heard:

   Noise is heard when the headphones are exposed to wind

   
   To reduce the wind noise, turn Off the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control. Go to step 4.

   Noise is heard while walking or running

   
   When the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control is On, the vibration of walking or running may be transmitted from your body and cause noise. To avoid this, turn Off the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control. Go to step 4.

   A rustling noise is heard when I move my body or head

   
   The headphones' microphone and your ear may be in contact with each other. Check the way the headphones are worn. Go to step 3.

   White noise (a small electrical noise with continuous static sound) is heard

   

   • When the Noise Canceling function is ON
     To avoid white noise, turn off the Noise Canceling function.
     Note: If the white noise is heard during a phone call, refer to The noise canceling function does not work or white noise is heard during a call on the headphones. article. Go to step 4.
   • When the Ambient Sound Mode function is ON
     The noise may be heard depending on the value of the Ambient Sound Mode. Change the value on the Sony | Sound Connect app:
     1. In the My Device tab, select Device settings → Sound tab, and tap the down arrow on the right side of the Ambient Sound Control menu.
     2. Move the slide bar to adjust the Ambient Sound level.

   Noise is heard when I push the headphones into my ears, or when I tap the headphones strongly

   
   This temporary noise can happen because of the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control function and air-tightness of the headphones. This is normal, and not a malfunction.

   An echo is heard when I cover the headphones or pinch around the built-in microphone with my hand

   
   An echo in this situation is normal and not a malfunction.

   Noise is heard when the surrounding ambient noise is loud, such as when I am in a station or near a construction site.

   
   When the Ambient Sound Control is On, the surrounding noises can be easily heard. Turn on the Noise Canceling function, or turn off the Ambient Sound Control function.

   Noise is heard while talking on the phone

   
   Go to step 2.

   None of the conditions listed

   
   If you hear your heartbeat or breathing, or if noise occurs when you change your posture such as moving your neck, this is normal and not a malfunction.
   For other noises, go to step 7.

2. If noise is heard during a phone call, select the appropriate situation:

   The noise occurs in my voice

   Go to step 3.

   The noise occurs in the other person's voice

   Go to step 8.

3. Fit the headphones to your ears firmly.

   If the earbuds are not worn properly, do not fit your ears, or the air-tightness is insufficient, the phone call quality may decrease. To maintain quality, consider these factors:

   • Make sure that headphones are worn properly
   • Select the earbuds that best fit your ears. Measure the air-tightness of the earbud tips and find the optimal size of earbud tips using the Sony | Headphones Connect app
   • Make sure that the headphones' microphone and your ear are not in contact with each other.
   For additional details, refer to the How to wear the headphones properly and select the most suitable earbud tips article.

   The issue is resolved

   The size or fitting conditions may have affected the Noise Canceling function.

   The issue is not resolved

   • If a rustling noise is heard when I move my body or head, go to step 4.
   • If noise is heard while talking on the phone, go to step 5.

4. Turn off the Noise Canceling function or the Ambient Sound Mode.
   1. Turn off the Adaptive Sound Control.
      1. Connect the headphones and smartphone via Bluetooth, and then launch the Sony | Sound Connect app.
      2. In the My Device tab, check the Adaptive Sound Control status. If the status shows other than Off (Staying, Walking, etc.), select right arrow on the right side of the Adaptive Sound Control menu.
         
      3. Turn off the Adaptive Sound Control.
         
   2. In the My Device tab, select Device settings → Sound tab, and tap the down arrow on the right side of the Ambient Sound Control menu, and select Off.
      

   The issue is resolved

   The issue may have occurred because of the conditions where the headphones detected the ambient noise. The noise may also occur when you are in a place that uses devices that generate ultrasonic waves to deter or eliminate rodents and pests. If you are bothered by these noises, turn off the Noise Canceling and Ambient Sound Mode functions.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to step 8.

5. Try speaking louder.

   The issue is resolved

   The noise reduction function may have been the cause. When you speak quietly, the headphones may detect your voice as noise.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to step 6.

6. Use the headphones in a quieter place.

   The issue is resolved

   The ambient sound may have been the cause.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to step 8.

7. Turn off the Adaptive Sound Control function.

   When the Adaptive Sound Control is On, the notification sound (beep) tells you when the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control setting changes. This may make you feel that the sound from the headphones is interrupted.
   Note: To disable the notification sound, open the Sony | Sound Connect app and, in the Adaptive Sound Control screen, turn off Notification Tone When Switching.

   Follow these steps to turn off the Adaptive Sound Control function:

   1. Connect the headphones and smartphone via Bluetooth, and then launch the Sony | Sound Connect app.
   2. In the My Device tab, check the Adaptive Sound Control status. If the status shows other than Off (Staying, Walking, etc.), select right arrow on the right side of the Adaptive Sound Control menu.
      
   3. Turn off the Adaptive Sound Control.
      

   The issue is resolved

   The headphones settings were the cause of the issue.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to step 8.

8. Try the following procedure:
   1. Set the headphones in the charging case, close the lid, wait for about 10 seconds, and then wear the headphones again.
      
   2. Restart the connected device.

   The issue is resolved

   The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the headphones.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to the next troubleshooting step.

9. Reset the headphones.

   Refer to the How to reset or initialize the LinkBuds Fit article or view the How to reset video below:
   
   

   Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube

   If your headphones model does not appear in the device list of the playback device, turn off the Bluetooth setting in the device and turn it on again, or leave the Bluetooth setting once and return to try the connection again.

   The issue is resolved

   The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the headphones.

   The issue is not resolved

   Go to the next troubleshooting step.

10. Initialise the headphones.

    Initialisation returns the headphones to the factory settings and all Bluetooth pairing information is deleted.

    Refer to the How to reset or initialize the LinkBuds Fit article or view the How to initialize video below:
    
    

    Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube

    The issue is resolved

    The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the headphones.

    The issue is not resolved

    The headphones may be malfunctioning, and service may be required.

Go to the Headphones Troubleshooting Guide