Headphones & earbuds

Earbuds won't pair with a phone or computer

This is usually caused by the earbuds not being in pairing mode, a stale saved connection, or the case lid closing before pairing finishes. Resetting the pairing memory on both sides fixes most cases.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10–20 minutes

Symptoms

  • Earbuds don't appear in the Bluetooth device list
  • Pairing starts but times out or fails
  • Earbuds connect then instantly disconnect
  • Previously working earbuds suddenly won't reconnect

Likely causes

  • CommonEarbuds aren't in pairing modeMost earbuds need the case opened and a button held to enter pairing mode, shown by a flashing light.
  • CommonEarbuds still paired/connected to another deviceMany earbuds can only connect to one device at a time unless multipoint is supported and enabled.
  • CommonOld pairing data conflicting on the phone or earbudsA stale saved pairing can prevent a fresh connection from completing.
  • PossibleLow battery in the earbudsEarbuds too low on charge may not stay powered long enough to complete pairing.
  • Less commonBluetooth hardware fault in the earbudsWorn internal Bluetooth components can prevent reliable pairing over time.

What to do

  1. Place both earbuds in the case, close the lid for 10 seconds, then reopen it and hold the button until the light flashes for pairing mode.
  2. On your phone, forget/remove the earbuds from the Bluetooth list, then search again as a new device.
  3. Make sure the earbuds aren't connected to another nearby phone, tablet, or laptop.
  4. Charge the earbuds for at least 15–20 minutes before attempting to pair again.
  5. Turn Bluetooth off and back on on your phone, and restart the phone if needed.
  6. Perform a full factory reset on the earbuds per the manufacturer's instructions and try pairing fresh.
  7. Try pairing with a different device to determine if the issue is the earbuds or the original phone.

When to call a pro

If the earbuds won't pair with any device after a full factory reset, the Bluetooth module has likely failed and should be checked under warranty.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.