Bluetooth headphones won't connect? How to fix it

Before you start

• The headphones or speaker are charged.
• They're within a metre or two of your phone or computer.
• You know how to put them into pairing mode. It's usually holding the power or Bluetooth button until a light flashes. Check the instructions or the maker's website.

0 of 3 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   Turn Bluetooth off and on

   On your phone or computer, switch Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds and switch it back on.

2. 2

   Check they're not connected elsewhere

   Turn off Bluetooth on other devices nearby, such as a tablet, laptop or TV, that the headphones may have connected to.

3. 3

   Restart both

   Switch the headphones off and on, and restart your phone or computer.

4. 4

   Forget the headphones

   • iPhone: Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i next to them, then Forget This Device.
   • Android: Settings > Connected devices (or Bluetooth), tap the settings icon next to them, then Forget or Unpair.
   • Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices, select the three dots next to them, then Remove device.
   • Mac: System Settings > Bluetooth, select the i or the menu next to them, then Forget This Device.
5. 5

   Put them into pairing mode

   Follow the maker's instructions until the light flashes or you hear a pairing sound.

6. 6

   Pair again

   Select them in your Bluetooth list when they appear.

If this happens, try this

• If they connect but there's no sound

  Check the volume on both the headphones and the device, and choose them as the audio output.

• If the sound keeps cutting out

  Move closer, keep your phone out of a back pocket, and keep away from microwaves and Wi-Fi routers.

• If they won't appear in the list at all

  They're probably not in pairing mode. Many headphones also have a reset option; check the maker's instructions.

• If only one earbud works

  Put both back in the case, close it for a few seconds, then try again.

Things to be careful about

• Resetting headphones to factory settings removes them from every device they were paired with. You'll need to pair them again everywhere.

• Only install headphone apps from the App Store, Google Play or the maker's website.