Understanding the Causes & How to Fix It
A turntable that hums can quickly ruin the warm, immersive vinyl experience you’re craving. Whether it’s a low buzzing sound, a constant hum, or a deep electrical drone, unwanted noise is a common issue among both beginners and long-time vinyl collectors.
The good news? A humming turntable is usually easy to diagnose — and even easier to fix. This article breaks down the most common causes and walks you through practical solutions.
🎶 What Kind of Hum Are You Hearing?
Before diving into the causes, identify the type of hum:
✔ 60Hz or 50Hz Hum (Low, Constant Drone)
This is classic electrical hum, often caused by grounding issues.
✔ Buzzing When You Touch the Tonearm
Usually means the system isn’t properly grounded or shielding is poor.
✔ Hum That Gets Louder When the Turntable Gets Closer to Your Speakers
Indicates electromagnetic interference.
Understanding the nature of the hum helps narrow down the problem instantly.
🛠️ Common Reasons Your Turntable Is Humming (and How to Fix It)
1. Your Turntable Isn’t Properly Grounded
This is the #1 cause of humming.
Most turntables (especially audiophile and vintage models) include a ground wire. If it’s not connected to your amplifier or receiver’s GND screw, you’ll hear that persistent hum.
✔ Fix:
- Locate the ground wire (usually thin, green or black).
- Connect it to the GND terminal on your phono preamp or receiver.
- Tighten the screw securely.
If your turntable doesn’t have a ground wire, the unit might be internally grounded—but if hum exists, the internal ground may be failing.
2. A Faulty or Loose RCA Cable
RCA cables carry a tiny signal from the cartridge to your system. If they’re:
- damaged
- worn out
- not fully plugged in
…you’ll hear hum or buzzing.
✔ Fix:
- Push RCA plugs firmly into their jacks.
- Try another pair of RCAs to test.
- Avoid bending or stretching cheap molded cables.
3. You’re Using the Wrong Input
If you plug your turntable into the wrong input, hum or distortion is almost guaranteed.
Symptoms:
- Hum
- Distortion
- Very low or very loud volume
✔ Fix:
Use:
- PHONO input → if the turntable does not have a built-in preamp
- LINE/AUX input → if the turntable has a built-in preamp
Never use PHONO and LINE together.
4. Your Cartridge or Headshell Isn’t Grounded Properly
Loose cartridge screws, dirty headshell contacts, or a bent headshell pin can create hum.
✔ Fix:
- Remove the headshell and clean the gold contacts.
- Ensure wires (red/green/white/blue) are tight.
- Tighten the cartridge mounting screws.
If hum changes when touching the headshell → grounding is the issue.
5. Electrical Interference From Nearby Devices
Turntables are sensitive. Placing them near:
- Wi-Fi routers
- Phones
- Computers
- Speakers
- Power supplies
- LED lights
…can introduce hum.
✔ Fix:
Move these items at least 6–12 inches away, especially from the tonearm area.
6. Your Phono Preamp Is Too Close to the Turntable
Some phono preamps emit electromagnetic fields that the cartridge can pick up.
✔ Fix:
Move the preamp further away, especially from:
- cartridge
- motor
- transformers
Distance matters here.
7. The Turntable Motor Is Introducing Noise
Internal motor hum is common on older or cheaper belt-drive models.
Symptoms:
- Hum that increases with platter speed
- Hum only when motor is ON
✔ Fix:
- Check motor isolation grommets.
- Ensure belt is properly tensioned.
- Consider professional servicing if the motor is aging.
8. A Ground Loop in Your Audio System
A ground loop occurs when there are multiple grounding paths in a system.
Symptoms:
- Hum gets louder when you add components
- Hum disappears when certain cables are unplugged
✔ Fix:
- Ground the turntable to the same device your speakers/amp use.
- Avoid connecting equipment to different wall outlets.
- Use a ground loop isolator (last resort).
🔍 Quick Diagnostic Checklist
Try this 60-second diagnostic:
✔ Is the ground wire connected?
✔ Are your RCA cables tight and clean?
✔ Are you plugged into the correct input (PHONO vs LINE)?
✔ Does the hum change when you touch the tonearm?
✔ Does the hum stop when the motor is off?
✔ Are electronics too close to the turntable?
Answering these will pinpoint the problem 90% of the time.
🧘 Final Thoughts: Humming Is Annoying — But Fixable
A humming turntable doesn’t mean your setup is broken. In most cases, it’s a simple grounding issue, loose cable, or interference problem. Once corrected, your records should return to the clean, noise-free sound you expect.
If none of the fixes work, your cartridge, motor, or preamp may need professional attention — but that’s rare.