How can I Repair the Right Speaker/driver on my WH-XB900N; not working?

How can I Repair the Right Speaker/driver on my WH-XB900N; not working?
I recently noticed that the right speaker/driver on my Sony WH-XB900N headphones has stopped working. This issue came out of nowhere, and I haven’t been able to figure out what’s causing it. The left speaker still functions perfectly, but the sound on the right side is completely silent. I tried adjusting the audio settings, reconnecting the headphones via Bluetooth, and even using a different device, but nothing seems to make a difference. It’s really disappointing because I rely on these headphones for music and calls throughout my day. I’m not sure if it’s a hardware issue or something else. Has anyone experienced a similar problem, and what steps did you take to identify or understand the root cause of this issue?
5 Answers

I had a similar issue with my WH-XB900N headphones. Here are the steps I followed to get the right speaker working again:
- Reset the Headphones: First, I performed a reset. I held the power button and the NC/AMBIENT button simultaneously for about 7 seconds until the indicator light flashed.
- Check the Audio Balance Settings: I went into the audio settings on my device to ensure the balance wasn’t shifted entirely to the left side.
- Inspect the Drivers: Using a small screwdriver, I carefully removed the ear pad on the right speaker to check if the driver was loose or damaged.
- Clean the Contacts: I used a can of compressed air to blow out any dust that could affect the driver connections. I also wiped the contacts with a q-tip lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
This fixed my issue, and the right speaker started working perfectly. I hope this works for you too.

I completely understand your frustration with the right speaker of your WH-XB900N headphones not working. When I faced this problem, here is what I did which might help you:
Firstly, I tried connecting the headphones to a different device to rule out the possibility that the problem was with the initial device. Next, I checked the Bluetooth connection strength and made sure that the firmware was up to date by using the Sony Headphones Connect app. Sometimes issues like this can be due to software glitches that get resolved with updates. Finally, I toggled the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) on and off. This doesn’t always help, but sometimes a reset in the ANC can fix the audio channel balance.
Ultimately, if none of these steps work, I’d suggest reaching out to Sony support directly. They were able to assist me and even provided an option for repair.

If your WH-XB900N right speaker isn’t working, you might be dealing with a hardware issue, like I faced. First, consider these steps:
- Check for Foreign Objects: Sometimes a bit of dust or debris near the driver can cause these issues. Gently clean the area around the speaker.
- Reset the Headphones: Hold the power button for 10 seconds to reset. This can clear up several common issues.
- Pairing Issues: Unpair and then reestablish your Bluetooth connection.
If these don’t yield results and you’re still under warranty, contact Sony for a professional inspection and repair. They were efficient in diagnosing and fixing my problem.

Having dealt with this exact issue on my WH-XB900N headphones not too long ago, I might have some insights to share.
- Firmware Update: The very first thing I did was check if there were any pending firmware updates. Using the Sony Headphones Connect app, I downloaded and installed the latest updates for my headphones.
- Try Wired Connection: I tried using an AUX cable. Surprisingly, the issue was resolved when I used the headphones in wired mode, indicating a potential Bluetooth connectivity problem.
- Examine for Physical Damage: The next step was to examine the right earcup for any visible signs of damage. A quick visual inspection helped me identify a slight dent near the speaker, which I carefully adjusted by gently pressing and aligning it back.
In the end, it was a combination of the update and correcting the physical misalignment that resolved my issue. Good luck!

I had an issue with the right driver on my Sony WH-XB900N. Here’s what worked for me:
- Disassemble and Reassemble: I took apart the right earcup by carefully prying off the padding and unscrewing the housing. I ensured all internal wires were connected securely and there was no visible damage to the wiring or solder points.
- Reconnect Bluetooth: I then reassembled the headphones and unpaired them from my devices. After rebooting my phone, I re-paired the headphones, which seemed to help.
- Check for Software Issues: After these steps, I checked for any software issues. I connected the headphones to the Sony app and ran the troubleshooting tools provided there. When prompted, I adjusted the EQ settings and tested the ANC.
This thorough disassembly and software approach worked wonders and got my right driver working again. It was time-consuming but worth it to save my favorite headphones.