How to Connect Beats Solo 3 Wireless to Your Device

The basic connection process

Beats Solo 3 headphones connect to your phone, computer, or tablet using Bluetooth. Turn on the headphones by rotating the power switch on the left ear cup toward the Beats logo. The headphones enter pairing mode automatically the first time you power them on, or if they have not been connected to a device in the last 15 minutes.

On your device, open the Bluetooth settings. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on. On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Your Beats Solo 3 will appear in the list of available devices as "Beats Solo3 Wireless." Tap or click the name to pair.

Once paired, your headphones will reconnect automatically to that device whenever Bluetooth is on and the headphones are powered on and within range — usually 30 feet or less. You do not need to pair them again unless you reset the headphones or pair them with a different device.

Key Takeaways

Turn on the headphones by rotating the power switch on the left ear cup toward the Beats logo; they enter pairing mode automatically the first time or after 15 minutes of no connection.
Open Bluetooth settings on your device, find "Beats Solo3 Wireless" in the available devices list, and tap or click to pair.
Once paired, the headphones reconnect automatically whenever both devices have Bluetooth on and are within 30 feet of each other.
If the headphones do not appear in your Bluetooth list, hold the power switch for 10 seconds until the LED flashes red and white to reset pairing mode.

Pairing with multiple devices

Beats Solo 3 can be paired with up to eight devices at once, but they actively connect to only one device at a time. Once you have paired the headphones with your phone, you can pair them with your computer, tablet, or another phone by putting the headphones back into pairing mode and repeating the Bluetooth connection steps on the new device.

To switch between devices, turn off Bluetooth on the device the headphones are currently connected to, then turn on Bluetooth on the device you want to use. The headphones will connect to the nearest paired device automatically. If you want to force a connection to a specific device, turn off Bluetooth on all other paired devices first.

Troubleshooting when headphones will not pair

If your Beats Solo 3 do not appear in your device's Bluetooth list, reset the pairing mode. Hold the power switch on the left ear cup for 10 seconds. The LED light on the left ear cup will flash red and white, which means the headphones are ready to pair with a new device. Then open Bluetooth settings on your device and select "Beats Solo3 Wireless" again.

If the headphones still do not appear, restart your device's Bluetooth. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it off, wait 10 seconds, then toggle it back on. On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth and toggle it off and on. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, click the X next to the headphones if they are listed, then turn Bluetooth off and on again. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and toggle Bluetooth off and on.

If you have previously paired the headphones with your device, they may still be listed in your Bluetooth settings even though they are not connecting. Remove the old pairing first. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find "Beats Solo3 Wireless," tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, find the headphones, and tap "Unpair." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, find the headphones, click the X, and confirm. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, find the headphones, click them, and select "Remove device." Then restart pairing from the beginning.

Checking battery and LED light signals

The LED light on the left ear cup tells you the headphones' status. A solid red light means the battery is low (less than 10 percent). A blinking red light means the battery is critically low and the headphones will shut down soon. A white light means the battery is charging or fully charged. No light means the headphones are powered off.

To check the battery percentage on your device, open Bluetooth settings. On iPhone, the battery percentage appears next to "Beats Solo3 Wireless" in the Bluetooth menu. On Android, open Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, find the headphones, and tap the settings icon to see battery level. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and look for the battery percentage next to the headphones name. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and look for the battery percentage listed under the headphones.

Connecting to Bluetooth devices without a screen

Some devices like older car stereos or Bluetooth speakers do not have a screen to show available devices. To pair Beats Solo 3 with these devices, put the headphones into pairing mode by holding the power switch for 10 seconds until the LED flashes red and white. Then set up pairing mode on the car stereo or speaker according to its manual — this usually means holding a button on the device itself for several seconds. The two devices will find each other and connect automatically.

Once paired, the headphones will reconnect to that device automatically whenever both are powered on and in range. If the headphones connect to your phone instead of your car stereo, turn off Bluetooth on your phone first, then start the car or turn on the speaker.

Resetting the headphones completely

If the headphones are not working correctly or will not pair with any device, you can perform a full reset. Hold the power switch and the volume down button at the same time for 15 seconds. The LED will flash red and white several times, then turn off. The headphones have now been reset to factory settings and all previous pairings have been erased.

After a full reset, power the headphones back on and they will enter pairing mode automatically. Follow the standard pairing steps with your device. A full reset should only be necessary if the headphones are malfunctioning or if you are giving them to someone else and want to remove all previous connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Beats Solo 3 keep disconnecting from my phone?

Disconnections usually happen when Bluetooth is turned off on your phone, when the headphones are out of range (beyond 30 feet), or when the battery is very low. Check that Bluetooth is on, move closer to your phone, and charge the headphones if the LED is red. If disconnections continue, try removing the pairing and pairing again from scratch.

Can I use Beats Solo 3 with two devices at the same time?

No, the headphones can only actively play audio from one device at a time. However, they can be paired with multiple devices, and you can switch between them by turning Bluetooth off on one device and on on another. Some devices support audio switching automatically, but most require you to manually switch Bluetooth on and off.

What should I do if the LED light is not turning on?

The LED may not be visible if the headphones are powered off or the battery is completely dead. Plug the headphones into a power source using the included USB cable and charge them for at least 30 minutes. If the LED still does not light up after charging, the headphones may need service.

Do I need to pair my Beats Solo 3 every time I use them?

No. Once paired, the headphones automatically reconnect to your device whenever both have Bluetooth on and are in range. You only need to pair them once per device, unless you reset the headphones or want to pair them with a new device.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.