How to Fix Bluetooth Headphones Not Connecting: A Simple Guide

Bluetooth headphones that refuse to connect are annoying — you put them on, press play, and nothing happens. The good news is that most connection problems have a simple cause: the headphones are not in pairing mode, they are still connected to another device, their battery is low, or the old pairing record on your phone or computer is stale.

Quick answer: Charge your headphones, turn Bluetooth off and back on, put the headphones into pairing mode (usually by holding the power button until the light blinks), forget the old pairing on your device, and pair them again. That fixes the problem in most cases. If it does not, work through the steps below in order.

For the official basics, Apple explains the same first checks on its Bluetooth accessory troubleshooting page.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

Before changing any settings, run through these basics. They solve a surprising number of “not connecting” cases on their own:

• Charge the headphones. Many headphones will not enter pairing mode — or will not show up at all — when the battery is very low. Charge them fully and try again.
• Stay close. Keep your phone or computer within a metre or two of the headphones while pairing. Walls and distance weaken the signal.
• Turn off competing devices. Headphones often reconnect automatically to the last device they used — your laptop, tablet, or an old phone. Turn Bluetooth off on those devices so your current device can claim the connection.
• Turn off Airplane mode. On phones and laptops, Airplane mode switches Bluetooth off. Make sure it is disabled.

Step 1: Put Your Headphones in Pairing Mode

This is the step people miss most often. Simply switching headphones on does not always make them discoverable. Most headphones need a specific action to enter pairing mode:

1. Turn the headphones off completely.
2. Press and hold the power button (or the dedicated Bluetooth/pairing button) for about 5–10 seconds, until the LED starts flashing — usually blue and white, or flashing blue.
3. For true wireless earbuds, open the case with the earbuds inside, or press and hold the button on the case until the light blinks, depending on the model.
4. Check your model’s manual if the light stays solid or nothing blinks — the button press varies by brand.

Note: pairing mode usually times out after a couple of minutes. If the headphones stop flashing, start this step again.

Step 2: Forget the Old Pairing and Pair Again

If your headphones were paired before, the old pairing record may be corrupted. Removing it and starting fresh fixes most stubborn cases.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones in the list and tap the (i) next to them.
3. Tap Forget This Device, then confirm.
4. Put the headphones back into pairing mode and tap their name when it appears.

On Android

1. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth (the exact menu name varies slightly by phone).
2. Find your headphones, tap the gear icon or the name, and choose Forget or Unpair.
3. Put the headphones into pairing mode and tap Pair new device, then select them.

On Windows 11

1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices and make sure Bluetooth is on.
2. Find your headphones, click the three dots (…) > Remove device.
3. Click Add device > Bluetooth, put the headphones into pairing mode, and select them from the list.

On Mac

1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Find your headphones, click the (i) or right-click the name, and choose Forget This Device.
3. Put the headphones into pairing mode and click Connect when they appear.

Step 3: Restart Both Devices

If re-pairing did not work, restart both ends — not just one. A stuck Bluetooth service on either side can block the connection:

1. Restart your phone, tablet, or computer.
2. Turn your headphones fully off (for earbuds, put them in the case and close the lid for 20 seconds), then turn them back on.
3. Put the headphones into pairing mode and try connecting again.

Step 4: Update Software and Drivers

Outdated software is a common hidden cause, especially on computers:

• Phone or tablet: Install the latest system update, then try pairing again.
• Windows: Open Device Manager > Bluetooth, right-click your Bluetooth adapter, and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. If Windows says the best driver is already installed, check your PC maker’s website for a newer one. You can also run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
• Headphones: Some brands offer firmware updates through their app (for example, Sony, Bose, and Jabra). Check the app for an update if one is available.

Step 5: Reset Your Headphones (Last Resort)

Only reset after the steps above have failed. A factory reset erases all saved pairings and any custom settings, so you will need to pair again from scratch:

1. Find the reset procedure for your exact model — it is usually a long button press, sometimes combined with the volume buttons, and it differs by brand.
2. After the reset, put the headphones into pairing mode and pair them with your device as if they were new.

If the headphones still will not appear on any device after a reset, the problem is likely hardware — a failed battery or Bluetooth chip — and it is time to contact the manufacturer or a repair shop.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Fixes

Headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list at all

They are probably not in pairing mode, out of charge, or already connected to another device. Charge them, turn Bluetooth off on nearby devices, and re-enter pairing mode.

Headphones appear but pairing fails

This usually means a stale pairing record or a full headphone memory. Forget the device on your phone or computer, restart both devices, and pair again. If it keeps failing, reset the headphones.

Headphones say “paired” but not “connected”

The devices remember each other but have no active link. Tap or click the headphone name to connect manually, or forget and re-pair.

Headphones connect but there is no sound

The audio may be going somewhere else. On your phone, check the audio output (in Control Center on iPhone, or the media output switcher on Android). On Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound and set the headphones as the output device.

Headphones connect to the wrong device every time

Turn Bluetooth off on the device that keeps grabbing them, or forget the headphones on that device. Some headphones also support multipoint — check the brand’s app to see which devices are connected.

One earbud connects but the other does not

Put both earbuds back in the case, close the lid for 20 seconds, then take them out together. Dirty charging contacts can also stop one earbud charging — wipe the contacts gently with a dry cloth. If one side still will not connect, reset the earbuds using the brand’s procedure.

If your headphones connect but keep dropping out instead, the fixes are slightly different — see our guide on why Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting. And if you are setting up a brand-new pair, our guide to connecting Bluetooth headphones to any device walks through the first-time pairing for every device type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Bluetooth headphones connect to my phone?

Usually because they are not in pairing mode, they are already connected to another device, their battery is low, or the saved pairing on your phone is stale. Work through the steps above in order — charge, pairing mode, forget and re-pair — and most cases are fixed by step 2.

How do I put my Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode?

On most models, turn them off, then press and hold the power or Bluetooth button for 5–10 seconds until the LED flashes. For earbuds, open the case or hold the case button until the light blinks. Check your model’s manual, since the exact press varies by brand.

Should I reset my Bluetooth headphones?

Only as a last resort. Try charging, re-entering pairing mode, forgetting and re-pairing, and restarting both devices first. A reset erases all saved pairings and settings, so use it when nothing else works.

Can interference stop Bluetooth headphones from connecting?

Yes. Bluetooth uses the crowded 2.4 GHz band, so Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, and USB 3.0 hubs can interfere. Move closer to your device and away from other electronics while pairing.