# PS3 Audio Problem (not game related) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 20, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739 "2010-04-20T14:31:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/1 "2010-04-20T14:31:53Z")
As soon as I switch my TV to whatever input the PS3 is connected to, there is a loud and constant humming, whether the system is turned on or not. I first thought there might be a problem with the second set of RCA jacks. But after swapping it with the digital cable (which never hums), it was there with the Playstation connected. I then tried swapping the A/V cable for the system, but no luck there either. Does anybody know what this could be? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![MrFloppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MrFloppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFloppy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/2 "2010-04-20T14:34:59Z")
Are the TV and the PS3 plugged in to different receptacles (wall sockets)? If so, and the receptacles are on separate circuits, you may have a ground loop problem. Plug the TV and the PS3 into the same receptacle and report back. ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/3 "2010-04-20T14:46:17Z")
Oddly enough, it’s the other way around. They were plugged into the same outlet, and I switched them in an attempt to fix the problem. It’s still there (probably should have put that in the OP, oops :D) edit: I have also had just the TV and Playstation plugged into one outlet with nothing else plugged in…still hums ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/4 "2010-04-21T13:12:02Z")
Nobody else? :eek: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/5 "2010-04-23T16:17:23Z")
Last bump Somebody must have a better idea then I do though, right? ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/6 "2010-04-23T16:57:50Z")
Are you asking where the humming might be coming from, or do you know where it is coming from and are asking what is causing it? ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/7 "2010-04-23T18:32:15Z")
I’m looking for the cause and hopefully a way around it ---
**Author:** ![MaceMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@MaceMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaceMan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/8 "2010-04-24T07:11:14Z")
I sometimes experience popping noises on my PS3 connected via HDMI, but turning it off and back on again always corrects the sound. Can you tell us what TV type you have? Are you using component cables (cables with 3 different colored connectors for video) along with RCA audio, or S-video? When you switched to digital cable (I assume you mean HDMI) did you also remove the RCA audio cable? What settings are you using in the PS3 software for audio output? ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/9 "2010-04-24T07:48:04Z")
Just plain old RCA here, no HDMI or component. It’s a 5 year old 27" Citizen CRT. Got it dirt cheap as it was a return at the store I worked at. Never knew why it was returned, all I could find was a small scrape on the paint in the upper left corner. Works properly in every way except this (which didn’t start until I moved here, just to emphasize) Also double checked the settings on the PS3 yesterday, it’s set properly. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ps3-audio-problem-not-game-related/536739/10 "2010-04-24T10:09:24Z")
(Just a guess) Could it be a grounding issue regardless of whether they’re on the same circuit? See “[How To Fix Ungrounded Three Prong Outlets](http://activerain.com/blogsview/1043492/how-to-fix-ungrounded-three-prong-outlets)”, though I have no idea if that’s actually the issue. You can also get two-prong ground adapters with a metal hole sticking out that you can screw the outlet into (so you won’t have to swap out the entire outlet), but that still only works if the metal box behind the outlet was grounded to begin with…