# Audio shim problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [December 19, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451 "2021-12-19T21:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jlabrack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ebca7d/32.png) [@jlabrack](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/jlabrack)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/1 "2021-12-19T21:12:32Z")
I recently bought a pimoroni audio shim ([Audio Amp SHIM (3W Mono Amp) – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/audio-amp-shim-3w-mono-amp)) for use with an old Pi 2b for a project. After setting it up and having to do some troubleshooting, it seems like it only works if I’m physically holding it in place, and flexing it a little bit. It seems like it’s probably the result of a poor connection with the pins. Is there anyway to help/solve this problem? ---
**Author:** ![neilman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6de8d8/32.png) [@neilman](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/neilman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/2 "2021-12-19T21:38:13Z")
Pretty much the only 100% reliable way to connect an iffy-shim is to solder it to a header using either this… > **[2x20 pin Female GPIO Header for Raspberry Pi – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/2x20-pin-gpio-header-for-raspberry-pi-2-b-a?variant=1132812261)** > > Connect your project directly to your Pi with these 2x20 pin GPIO headers! Or if you are adding another HAT on top then you’ll need this extender one… > **[2x20 pin Female GPIO Header for Raspberry Pi – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/2x20-pin-gpio-header-for-raspberry-pi-2-b-a?variant=1132812269)** > > Connect your project directly to your Pi with these 2x20 pin GPIO headers! ---
**Author:** ![jlabrack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ebca7d/32.png) [@jlabrack](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/jlabrack)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/3 "2021-12-19T22:32:36Z")
I’ve been hoping to avoid this, as I have no experience with soldering. But I’ve found another thread suggesting the same. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/4 "2021-12-20T10:14:06Z")
Try just plugging the female header in on top of the shim. It will hold it firmly in place and should line up all the pins so they are straight. Worth a try anyway. If it works no having to solder anything. ---
**Author:** ![FutureGaming1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/futuregaming1/32/7636_2.png) [@FutureGaming1](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/FutureGaming1)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/5 "2021-12-22T16:42:39Z")
Hi there. I recommend trying what @neilman and what @alphanumeric said. Maybe it is just that they don’t work with Pi 2b. I don’t know. Alex ---
**Author:** ![jlabrack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ebca7d/32.png) [@jlabrack](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/jlabrack)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 5:17pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/6 "2021-12-23T17:17:53Z")
I have tried using a female header to hold it in place, and this doesn’t work. I have also tried using the shim with someone else’s pi 4, and I’m getting the same results. I still have to flex the shim to get any sound. Is the result of a defective shim? ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/7 "2021-12-23T19:06:23Z")
Electronically its likely fine, contact wise it has an issue. I’m not sold on the solderless shim part of it, if I’m honest. I have some Fan Shims that worked out of the box on multiple Pi’s with no issues, and one or two that were a pain to get working reliably. I have occasionally resorted to soldering on a female header, and no more issues. ---
**Author:** ![FutureGaming1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/futuregaming1/32/7636_2.png) [@FutureGaming1](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/FutureGaming1)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 7:12am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/8 "2021-12-29T07:12:55Z")
Looking back on @alphanumeric ‘s post, I feel like, if this was me I would send it back, or get directly involved with Pimoroni via Email. Is it an Amp shim or a dac shim? Alex ---
**Author:** ![jlabrack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ebca7d/32.png) [@jlabrack](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/jlabrack)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2021, 9:39am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/audio-shim-problems/18451/9 "2021-12-29T09:39:00Z")
It’s the amp shim. [Audio Amp SHIM (3W Mono Amp) – Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/audio-amp-shim-3w-mono-amp) I’ve contacted pimoroni, but they’ve been on holiday break, so I haven’t heard back yet.