How to Find a Lost Speaker Wire in a Wall

Ask the audio-equipment installer, electrician or homebuilder who participated in building your home if they know the location of the wire. If you live in a housing development or apartment, there may be a standard method that workers used to install speaker wires in each unit. Another possibility is that one of these people has access to your home's blueprint, which may contain information about how workers installed wiring.

Use a tone-and-probe kit (also called a wire tracer or tone generator) to find the speaker wire. If possible, rent the device. If not, buy one online or at an electrical-supply store. Use the tone-and-probe kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, you will have to attach an alligator clip to one end of the speaker wire and then turn on the device. It will generate a tone. Hold the probe that comes with the kit over the wall or ceiling near where the speaker wire emerges. The probe will indicate when it detects the tone in the hidden speaker wire. Use the probe to follow the path of the wire through the wall and ceiling until you find its end point.

Use a utility knife to cut open the wall to look for the speaker wire, if all else fails. Score a small section with the knife, then use a hammer to knock the piece out. The drywall will break on the score lines. Continue cutting until you find the speaker wire. Try to make the holes as small as possible. Use a flashlight if the hole is too dark for you to spot the speaker wire.