Buick Encore Audio Dead: Complete Sound System Failure

Had the exact same audio connectivity issue with my 2019 Buick Enclave last winter. Have some experience working on basic car maintenance, but sound system repairs were definitely beyond my skill level. Initially thought it was the volume control or head unit, but after taking it to a workshop, they diagnosed a completely failed bass speaker that was causing a short in the entire audio circuit. The car speakers would not produce any sound regardless of the input source, just like your situation. The repair involved replacing the defective speaker and checking all the wiring connections in the sound system. Total cost came to 280 for parts and labor, which included diagnostic time. After the fix, all audio functions returned to normal including radio, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Have you noticed any crackling or distortion before the sound completely stopped? Did the issue start suddenly or gradually? Are there any error messages on the infotainment display? Have you had any recent work done on the electrical system? These details would help determine if you are facing a similar speaker failure or perhaps a different audio system component issue.

Mileage: 126260 KM, last service at 125000 KM The sound stopped working completely without any prior sound distortion or warning signs. Everything was fine during my morning commute, but when I started the car after work, there was total radio silence. No error messages appear on the display, and I havent had any electrical work done recently. The system recognizes when I connect devices via Bluetooth or USB audio, but no sound comes through regardless of the volume control settings. Based on your experience, it does sound similar to my situation. The repair cost seems reasonable if its just a speaker issue. Will have it checked out by a professional since the problem affects all audio sources.

Thanks for those additional details, looks like we had very similar experiences with our Buicks. The sudden failure without warning signs matches exactly what happened with mine. The fact your auxiliary input and Bluetooth connections are being recognized but producing no sound through the car speakers strongly points to a hardware issue rather than a software glitch. In my case, the faulty bass speaker created an open circuit that prevented any sound output, despite the volume control and head unit working normally. Since your mileage is similar to what mine was when the issue occurred (I was around 130000 KM), and the symptoms are identical, I would bet you are dealing with the same speaker failure. The sound system in these models seems to have this particular weak point. One quick test you can try before taking it in: disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes to reset the audio system completely. This eliminates any potential software issues. If the sound distortion persists after reconnecting, it confirms you are likely dealing with a hardware problem like I had. The repair should be straightforward for any shop familiar with Buick sound systems. Make sure they check all speaker connections while they are in there, it prevents similar issues from popping up with other speakers down the line.

Thanks everyone for the help! After disconnecting the battery as suggested and still having no sound, I took it to a local shop today. You were right, they found a failed speaker causing issues with the entire sound system. The repair estimate is slightly higher at 320 Euro due to labor rates, but at least I know what I am dealing with now. They mentioned they need to order the part which will take a couple days, but then it should be a fairly quick fix. Really glad to know this is a known issue with a straightforward solution rather than a major electrical problem. Will report back once everything is working again to confirm the fix restored all audio functions including the Bluetooth and USB audio connections. The troubleshooting steps and repair details shared here were super helpful in understanding the issue before taking it in. Much appreciated!