PC speakers - static noise when rotating volume knob

B0bbyEwing

These are the speakers I have https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/products/speakers/z623-speaker-system-thx.980-000404.html or at least they look identical to those. I've had these for quite a number of years now. 

I can't remember if they've always done this but they've certainly done it for a long long time - I'll turn the volume knob & there'll be like a scratchy static-like noise. I'll have to keep turning it until it stops which can at times mean the volume is higher or lower than I'd like it. 

Yes the cable is plugged in to the motherboard port fully.

Finally getting round to asking about the cause & solution because it's really annoying.

EssexExile

That always used to be caused by dirt on the potentiometer, I suppose it still is! Back in the dark ages you could get a spray to clean it but I doubt you can get inside nowadays to spray anything.

oldernonethewiser

Very common on volume controls of old when they were never changed from one position.  

If no spray then turn the knob up and down (no need for the speakers to be on) and that will help clean it up a bit. 

Heedtheadvice

Yes it is bad contact between the slider and the potentiometer (volume control) track that changes resistance and hence signal loudness. Causes immediate changes rather than smoothness up and down thus that 'static like' noise.

Although as Essex writes can be caused by dirt - which can be cleaned with contact cleaner/lubricant if you can get onto the resistive track but these days most potentiometers are sealed - more likely it is just worn out.

If you can get at it and are handy with a Soldering iron and remove it it should be easy to replace with an equivalent very cheaply (couple of shiny pounds). To pay someone  for their time might be  a different matter unless they are cheap.

B0bbyEwing

Thanks. I squirted contact cleaner on the volume knob at the weekend but as is probably no surprise to you guys it did absolutely nothing.

And based on what you've said & my lack of DIY know-how, it's going to be a live-with-it case unfortunately. 

km1500

did you try the suggestion above ie turn the speakers off and then rotate the volume knob quickly up and down - sort of to clean the track

facade

Turn the volume knob a little higher than you want, so the noise stops, and then turn the master volume in windows down a little.

There should be a speaker icon on the taskbar near the clock.

flaneurs_lobster

I haven't heard the term "dirty pot" since my roadie-ing days back in the last century. Solution was always to turn it up (to 10) and turn it down again, hard.

EssexExile

flaneurs_lobster said:

I haven't heard the term "dirty pot" since my roadie-ing days back in the last century. Solution was always to turn it up (to 10) and turn it down again, hard.

Surely turning it up to 11 would be better!

flaneurs_lobster

EssexExile said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

I haven't heard the term "dirty pot" since my roadie-ing days back in the last century. Solution was always to turn it up (to 10) and turn it down again, hard.

Surely turning it up to 11 would be better!

Nah, was a jazz band.

Ayr_Rage

flaneurs_lobster said:

EssexExile said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

I haven't heard the term "dirty pot" since my roadie-ing days back in the last century. Solution was always to turn it up (to 10) and turn it down again, hard.

Surely turning it up to 11 would be better!

Nah, was a jazz band.

Even the good old BBC allow you to turn it up to 11 in their iPlayer.