How to Fix Humming and Buzzing Noises from Your Turntable | Record Player Ground Loops and Feedback

Have you ever set up a turntable, only to hear an annoying humming or buzzing sound? This sound is either feedback or a ground loop. The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can do to isolate the problem and eliminate it. In this video, we're going to take you through those troubleshooting steps.
0:00 Intro
0:10 What a ground loop sounds like, and what feedback sounds like
0:30 How to Fix Turntable Buzzing / Ground Loop
2:22 How to Fix Turntable Feedback
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TRANSCRIPT:
Ever hook up a turntable and get an annoying humming or buzzing sound? In this video, we'll show you how to fix it.
If you hear a buzzing sound that sounds like this: (buzzing) It's probably a ground loop. If you hear a sound like this: (humming) Or, it only happens at a higher volume, you may be hearing feedback.
Now, here's what you can do about it.
First, let's start with a ground loop.
One, plug your turntable directly into a wall outlet and remove any power bars or surge protectors.
Two, try moving the turntable to another surface. It should not be on top of other equipment such as the speakers, amplifier, or receiver.
Three, make sure that the ground wire is connected from the ground terminal on the turntable to the preamp, receiver, or powered speaker. If a ground terminal is not available, the ground cable can be connected to a screw on the chassis of an amplifier, or the back of a powered speaker.
Four, disconnect other devices that may be causing the loop. Such as Blu Ray and DVD players.
Five, remove and re-seat the stylus.
Six, remove the re-seat the headshell, ensuring that the locking collar on the tonearm is tightened fully.
Seven, clean the contacts on the headshell with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol.
Eight, check the wiring from the headshell to the cartridge. If it's loose, lightly crimp the connections with needle-nosed pliers.
Nine, ensure that the locking collar on the tonearm is tightened fully.
Ten, remove and re-seat the RCA cables. Rotate them back and forth once they're inserted to ensure a good connection.
Eleven, test with different RCA cables. If you're using your own cables, test with the cables that came included with the turntable.
Feedback is caused by the cartridge picking up external vibrations, such as those from your speakers, and amplifying them. It can be caused by over-amplification. These steps will help prevent feedback.
One, if your turntable has a built-in preamp like the RT80 and RT81, make sure that you are not running the cables through another preamp, such as the phono input on an AV receiver or amplifier. If you are, the preamp switch should be set to the PHONO position.
For turntables without a preamp like the RT82 to RT85, do not connect an external preamp, when you're using the Phono input on an amplifier or receiver.
Two, try moving the turntable to another surface. It should not be on top of other equipment, such as the speakers, amplifier or receiver.
Three, move the speakers to another location and test with them facing different directions. They should be positioned in front of the turntable. Also, never keep the speakers on the same surface as the turntable.
Four, try accessories such as isolation platforms and pads for the speakers and turntable, to reduce the vibrations.
If these issues persist, there may be an outside influence, such as electromagnetic interference from other electronics such as wireless routers. It may be necessary to test the turntable in another environment to rule this out.
If you like videos like this, be sure to hit subscribe. Thanks for watching.

[@johnpohlman1430]

As a result of watching this tutorial I overcame my grounding loop problem simply by moving the phono power supply from a shared power board to a direct power point outlet. I would never have thought of that on my own. Thanks so much.

[@jespernohr]

This video helped me nail that it was indeed the grounding loop that was the issue on my dad's old JVC QL-A7. A good clean of the connection underneath the turntable and it was gone :)

[@jives11]

Well done, a great guide. A further cause with vintage turntables, for example 1970's belt drive decks, can be mechanical feedback from the motor. Often the motor was isolated using rubber mounts, and these can harden with age, loosing their suppleness and hence ability to absorb vibration from the motor . Often they can be restored to original suppleness using soap and hot water, rubber restorer, glycerine or platanclene print roller restorer

[@earthling2007]

Fixed!!! Definitely a ground loop. Stupid me never hooked up the ground. So glad I have my turntable sounding awesome once again. Thanks!!

[@blipblip88]

Thanks. Doing the little twisty twisty on the RCA cables helped a LOT!

[@davydoomz]

This is a great, informative video. Thank you!

[@_eimine_]

Very helpful! Thank you for regained sanity!

[@jonboywhite13]

Came here for help and was shocked to see an Aesop Rock record in the demo. He's the best and just put out a new album yesterday. Thumbs WAY up!!!

[@ziggichaos803]

Best guide for vibration/ feedback on turntables Thanks

[@geraldcrook9504]

Absolutely brilliant putting all those elements together and analysing them one by one was great. I have only to put it all into practise. Great video lots of things i never even thought about many thanks Gerald south wales UK

[@blodbound]

This helped, surprisingly it helped change the power connections

[@glennbcnu]

Thank you for this tutorial. I was able to solve the buzzing sound in my very old, large cabinet radio/record player. The phono connectors just needed to be reseated.

[@richardleroux9349]

Great tutorial. No. 6 fixed the problem : )

[@dward4979]

Beautiful! great advice

[@Maxtibles]

Worked perfectly thank you!!!

[@bpalpha]

This is a great and helpful video. Unfortunately, my table is still emitting ground loop noise.

[@brooklynbummer]

Avery good explanation to get the buzz out of a turntable

[@thepotoko]

Great video, thanks!

[@Prince_Havarti]

Thanks, helped me out a ton

[@lanceblack9125]

Great video! Resolved.

[@ttpohg]

Excellent!

[@thomasacheson1625]

Thanks so much!!! I originally thought I had a ground issue. Feedback is culprit. I have the over amplification issue because at low volume everything is fine but, as soon as I turn it up above 1/3 volume I hear a bass feedback coming through. Not a buzz like I originally thought. Kudos!!!

[@frankrizzo2724]

How did you fix it?

[@SSinatra]

@@frankrizzo2724did you ever fix it. i assume you had the same problem

[@frankrizzo2724]

@@SSinatra I stopped listening to vinyl, so technically I fixed it. I haven't tried it yet but I was going to try a ridiculously long grounded rca cable. I should have known better than to try a turntable on a setup with PA amplifiers.

[@ivanwei164]

Just bought a RT80 on black Friday and have it set up today. Notice there was a humming noise but couldn't figure out what caused the noise until found this video on KZbin. The humming noise was gone after I moved the wifi mesh 5 feet away from the turntable 🙂

[@adrianestwick8110]

Thankyou for your great advice, after switching my cables about, I realized it was the stylus what was the problem & your suggestions sorted out the problem, Once again thanks for the informative advice 👍👍

[@sethleeron]

THank you for the tip (Screw for ground noise)

[@lrx54]

THANK YOU!!!

[@BlazejMarczak]

Thanks! Very informative video.

[@alex_dot_org5512]

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUUUUCHHHHHH BEST TUTORIAL IVE EVER SEEN YOOOO

[@9ribby]

THANK YOU

[@MrVadymMykh]

It seems like I have a ground loop buzz. And there is no ground on my turntable, hence it has a built-in preamp. Will try to use the ground cable on the screw anyways. Thanks for the tips!

[@cyjerjymx]

thank you very much!

[@facking7]

Thank you

[@CaptainGeorge3]

THANKS!

[@user-nf8jj7pz6c]

I was hopeful, but all hum in the right, all tunes in the left. The balance knob is my only saving grace.

[@sawing14s]

I have an AT-120 with a preamp/USB switch. When I connect the turntable to my laptop via USB, I get a high-pitched mosquito hum. I can remove this hum in Adobe Audition by selecting it as a noise print, but is there a better way of eliminating it? Like disconnecting the ground wire or something?

[@npi3142]

Thank you! skipped the obvious. Cables. switched amps. cables were fine on old amp. switched out and now the RT85 sounds saweeeet!

[@robertbradshaw8140]

Cheers mate, sorted my problem. thank you.

[@psychrockvinyl]

Loving that aesop rock album, one of my favorites 😊 thanks for the great tips!

[@jamiemonson7806]

Got a Sony pl 212 dirrect drive jumping when volume up

[@debu206]

i seperated the ground wire from the rca cables, that helped a lot

[@CVYR490]

Hi if someone could help. I am using a musical fidelity amplifer class A100 50W per channel. I have ground it to the amp. After playing the record for awhile, it start to hum. The solution to it is, I tab the amplifier turning nob. ( the circle round selection nob where you turn the nob to select CD, Phono etc). That is the one that i just tab it and the hum is gone. And 3 mins later, the hum came back again. Is that my Amp issue? For information, my speaker is a MS10 8 ohms speaker, is that causing the problem that harm my amp? Some people say i should use a 4 ohms speaker... thanks in advance.

[@salarnm4515]

What mast to do if my dual 1015 have not grand? Its have just rca utput Where i must connect the g ?

[@timgilbert7187]

My record player make a thumping noise when the drum bass plays. Only on certain records mostly the first or thru first part of 2nd song. It feels like the arm is not secure. I put my finger on back of arm then thumping bass or rattle is gone. Any thoughts?

[@idtubenod]

If you changed your catridge and still getting feedback hum after following the video tips do check that the 4 wires connected to the cartridge are properly matched to each pin i.e. R and L ground , R and L positive There's no standard pin configuration mismatching will lead to issues i.e. feedback hum. Happy listening.

[@YS-zk4wz]

Thanks switching the switch on the turntable to Phono fixed my issue!!! the manual of the turntable said otherwise lol

[@kostas9826]

Is it safe to further ground the phono preamp to the receiver (through a wire) to eliminate hum?

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Hi Kostas! If you don't have a ground terminal on your receiver, it is safe to ground to a screw on the chassis of your receiver.

[@evanosulli]

Thank you bro it was feedback from the internet router

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Welcome 👍

[@Texasmann1]

My Magnavox record changer hum comes from the mount for the tonearm and not the tonearm. Where the tonearm sets on a vertical "axle" at rear corner has the hum. Intermittent hum as I touch it. What causes this and what can I do to get rid of that hum? It's like something is not grounded properly and affects the sound. I replaced the needle and it is not the needle. Thanks.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

I have the same issue and have spent hours trying to resolve it. To date I have still not resolved the issue.

[@c_6783]

Great video, but sadly, i have tested everything but i keep hearing a really loud buzz sound, what do I do? My record player is a Technics SL-B202

[@ESEJESEJ]

Same here. I have an Akai ap 206.

[@timmagnus46]

Thank you, as soon as I connected the ground from the turntable to the receiver the humming stopped. Now when I listen, it is only me humming.

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Excellent!

[@filosofishinchan6304]

Thank you,

[@chrisbooth2712]

I have an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB turntable connected to a soundbar system (which includes a subwoofer) by Bluetooth. I have no receiver and/or pre-amp. Just the turntable and Bluetooth soundbar system. If I turn the volume up on the soundbar above about 60% I begin getting a very bad humming sound. If I turn the subwoofer off it stops. I've tried placing the subwoofer on a foam bad to isolate vibrations thru the floor and that didn't help. I move the subwoofer as far away from the turntable as possible (approx. 20') and that didn't help. If I turn the subwoofer off while playing a record the humming stops. I checked the turntable cartridge and it seems fine. Listening to the TV through the soundbar produces no hum. Just the turntable. I've read that this could be a grounding issue (ground loop) and the fix is to ground it to your receiver or pre-amp but I am using neither. Also, the turntable and the soundbar are around 10' apart from one another. Can you give me any suggestions on how to fix this issue? It's very annoying.

[@gromchina]

I have the same turntable, it produces bass sound if I touch it even slightly. I am going crazy with it, I was thinking of returning it. I tried hooking ground wire to a “Marshal Stanmore II” (powered bluetooth speaker) but its the same. Did you find any help?

[@seanlancaster]

What if I hear that first hum when the turntable is not spinning? But it goes away the second I start spinning, even before the needle drops. Emotiva BasX TA2, Project Tube Box S2 (phono preamp), Technics SL-1500C turntable, Audio-Technica VM540ML/H, KLH Model 5 speakers, SVS SB2000 sub (though, this is not even powered on much of the time)

[@almondtreewatchman4474]

Hello. I bought a Pioneer PL-Z81 hifi set in 1970. Amp gave up recently. New Yamaha amp. Now a buzz through speakers when using turntable, which has plastic body. Have looked inside, but don't know where to attach a ground wire, apart from screws in the plastic body. HELP. THANKS.

[@almondtreewatchman4474]

Sorry 1988

[@agr7879]

Mine makes a swirling, whooshing noise especially when playing newer, heavyweight vinyl. Any suggestions??

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Be sure to check that the stylus body isn't dragging on the vinyl! For further assistance, our Customer Experience Team will be happy to help!

[@CrowbarMan]

I got overamplification but im using active speakers and there's only one type RCA input, how should i change my external pre amp to CD input? Do I really need an amplifier and passive speakers to fix this? FYI, my turntable is Crosley cruiser without built in pre amp. Or is it because of my cheap turntable

[@FluanceSpeakers]

It's possible the Crosley already has a preamp to play through its external speakers. Connecting this to another preamp will over-amplify it.

[@11cylynt11]

Does it matter if the ground wire is connected between the washer and ground screw? Or should the washer and screw be over the ground wire? Thx in advance 😊

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Great question! You should connect it as close to the body of the turntable as possible under the washers.

[@11cylynt11]

@@FluanceSpeakers Thx for fast reply!😀

[@miscmisc1023]

my speaker was right in front of my turntable no wonder smh ...thanks again!

[@madvillian888]

AESOP ROCK . Very good Very very good. lol

[@postnutregret]

Bro thank you so much!!! holy shit best video ever I’ve dealt with a low buzz coming from both my speakers for 2 months and I couldn’t figure it out it was driving me fucking crazy!!! Thank you 😭

[@heyheythere7692]

same, fxxked up, still trying mine is lp120...with presonus e5 sooooo loud whyyyyy omg

[@BMMEC2009]

My audio Technica doesn't have a ground cable

[@Darkest_matter]

My turntable has built in speakers. Nothing works

[@ezkymos]

Sadly I can't fix the ground loop because there's not enough outlets in my flat :/

[@kaneweatherall]

I'm still getting the sound from the amp even when the record deck is turned off .when the amp is on phono .even over output is fine

[@FluanceSpeakers]

If you have a Reference series turntable, the speed selector dial only controls the power to the motor. The turntable is still powered on and picking up signals. Feel free to reach out to our Customer Experience Team for further assistance!

[@josegallardos4265]

Sometimesy receiver sounds louder on the left channel, but it is not the reciever I have connected my turntable and a CD player to the same receiver, the weird thing is that when my reciever sounds louder on the left channel when playing my turntable, I turn on the equalizer that is connected to a CD player not to the turntable, voila!! The sound on the right channel of the reciever is equal to that in the Left channel, and sound is better!! Crispier and cleaner. What could it he? May the reciever need more grounding? That when I turn on the equalizer that is connected to the CD player that obviously is connected to the aux input sends more grounding ?

[@hqrueck]

It might be the azimuth of your cartridge/stylus needs adjusting. I believe if the stylus is not centered perfectly up and down then whichever side of the groove the stylus is digging into more will be the side the speaker sounds louder

[@randycastillo6511]

Am I dumb or when I don’t have the volume up my needle plays the song and u could hear it from the turntable why is that? I have a 78 sony pst 30

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Great question! The sound you hear is coming directly from the stylus. This sound is the actual audio direct from the grooves and is picked up by the cartridge and sent to your preamp/speakers.

[@charliebuttocks2400]

That's great but my Turntable does not have an earth terminal

[@johngranato2673]

Pull power cord, rotate it 180 degrees, reinstall into outlet

[@pnichols6500]

Good advice, but make sure the grounding wire is attached to a machine screw into the metal chassis, not wood. The one you used sure looks like a wood screw.

[@jasoncruz5813]

Sir how are you just taking this stuff apart 😭 I’m struggling over here

[@jamescaliberharefields5389]

The ground loop sounds very aggressive

[@kaptajnsejersen6303]

Thanks for the video but non of it solved my feedback problem.. I really dont know what to do.. When I open my windows in my room however the feedback disappears.

[@FluanceSpeakers]

We're sorry to hear that. It may help to add some dampening panels to the walls of the room. Removing the dust cover may also help.

[@kaptajnsejersen6303]

@@FluanceSpeakers thanks.. I just figured out that if I adjust the weight knob and add more weight to the stylus onto the record it actually helped

[@seranoadams2192]

I only get this when i touch the tone arm. Any advice?

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Hi Serano, we're sorry to hear you're experiencing this. Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Experience Team via Support.Fluance.com for further assistance!

[@KRZYCHCZARA]

Hi I have the same issue. all is fine until I touch headshell, then I can hear hum, but at the same time when I touch with my 2nd hand amp shell or ground screw the it slightly can be heard.

[@powercut4336]

@@KRZYCHCZARA Can you hear it when the needle is touching a record?

[@strat_1880]

My problem is when the record is spinning or playing I hear a lagging like sound enough bothersome to turn it off it's a Crosley AmFm radio Cd cassette Turntable Anyone can help me!?

[@seranoadams2192]

I managed to resolve it. Its not as loud as it use to be very faint if you pay attention. What i did was i plugged in the turntable into a wall socket of its own. I kept the amp on a different socket and my phono stage uses a battery. Try minimising the amount of plugs on one socket.

[@sidneyalves1556]

hello my friend can you help me? I'm having problems with my vinyl playing record. the speaker keeps shifting back and forth at high volumes. the ground is correct. I replaced the cable with a new one. the right and left wires are correct. the device is far from the boxes. already reviewed the cables. I can't solve it. my setap devices are: amplifier pioneer elite a 20, and the vinyl record player is technics slq 2. voltage 120v.

[@moonytheloony6516]

Did you check to see if you need to adjust the Ohm setting from your receiver/amplifier to match your speakers?

[@rdot980]

I get that noise that sounds like cell phone interference. :(

[@FluanceSpeakers]

Sorry to hear that Robert! Please feel free to contact us at Support.Fluance.com/s/contact for assistance!

[@wladosu]

I also have noise like dial up modem