The most common reason headphones won't connect is that Bluetooth is turned off on your device, the headphones are not in pairing mode, or they are already paired to a different device
When headphones fail to connect, the problem is almost always one of three things: your device's Bluetooth is disabled, your headphones are not actively looking for a new connection, or your headphones remember a previous device and are trying to connect there instead. Before you assume the headphones are broken, work through these causes in order — most connections fail because of a setting you can change in seconds.
The steps differ slightly between phones, tablets, and computers, but the underlying logic is the same on all of them. This guide covers the most common devices: iPhones and iPads, Android phones, Windows computers, and Mac computers.
Key Takeaways
- Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings before assuming the headphones are the problem.
- Most headphones enter pairing mode by holding the power button for three to five seconds until a light flashes — check your headphones' manual for the exact method.
- If your headphones connected to another device recently, they may be trying to reconnect there instead of pairing with your current device.
- Restarting both the headphones and your device fixes connection problems about half the time and takes less than two minutes.
- Wired headphones that do not work should be tested in a different device to determine whether the problem is the headphones, the cable, or the jack.
Turn Bluetooth on and check it is visible
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle at the top is switched to on (it will be green). If Bluetooth is already on, turn it off and back on again — this often clears connection problems. Wait a few seconds after turning it back on before proceeding.
On an Android phone, open Settings, tap Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by manufacturer), and turn Bluetooth on. You should see a Bluetooth icon appear in the status bar at the top of your screen. If you do not see it, Bluetooth is off.
On a Windows computer, right-click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner, select Settings, then go to Bluetooth & Devices. Make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is on.
Once Bluetooth is on, your device should start scanning for nearby headphones. Leave this screen open — you will need it in the next step.
Put your headphones into pairing mode
Pairing mode is the state where headphones actively broadcast their presence so a new device can find them. Most headphones enter pairing mode by holding down the power button for three to five seconds until you see a light flash — usually blue or white, sometimes alternating. Some headphones have a separate pairing button instead. Check your headphones' manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure which button to hold.
While your headphones are in pairing mode, they will appear in the list of available devices on your phone, tablet, or computer. The name usually matches what is printed on the headphones themselves — for example, "Sony WH-1000XM5" or "AirPods Pro". Tap or click the name to connect.
If your headphones do not appear in the list after thirty seconds, take them out of pairing mode (usually by pressing the power button again) and try once more. Sometimes the first attempt does not register. If they still do not appear after a second try, move to the next section.
Disconnect your headphones from other devices
Headphones remember the devices they have paired with before. If your headphones connected to your laptop yesterday, they may automatically try to reconnect to your laptop today even though you want to use them with your phone. This prevents them from pairing with the new device.
On the device your headphones are currently connected to, go to Bluetooth settings and look for your headphones in the list of paired devices. On iPhones and Macs, tap the information icon (a circle with an "i") next to the headphones name and select "Forget This Device". On Android phones, tap the settings icon next to the headphones and select "Unpair" or "Forget". On Windows, right-click the headphones name and select "Remove Device".
Once you have removed them from the old device, put your headphones back into pairing mode and try connecting to your current device again.
Restart your headphones and your device
Restarting clears temporary problems that prevent connection. Turn off your headphones completely — hold the power button until the light goes out or you hear a shutdown sound. Wait ten seconds, then turn them back on. You should see the light come on and hear a startup sound.
At the same time, restart your phone, tablet, or computer using its normal shutdown process. Once both devices have restarted, turn Bluetooth back on and put your headphones into pairing mode again. This fixes connection problems about half the time.
Check the battery level in your headphones
Headphones with very low battery may not have enough power to complete a connection. If your headphones have a battery indicator light, check whether it is red or flashing red — this usually means low battery. Charge your headphones for at least thirty minutes before trying to connect again.
Some headphones will not enter pairing mode at all if the battery is critically low. If you cannot get your headphones into pairing mode, plug them in and wait. After charging for a few minutes, try holding the power button again.
Test wired headphones in another device
If you are using wired headphones with a cable, the problem may be the cable, the jack on your device, or the headphones themselves. Plug your wired headphones into a different device — a friend's phone, a computer, or a tablet — and see if they work there.
If they work in the other device, the problem is the jack on your original device, not the headphones. If they do not work in any device, the problem is likely the cable or the headphones. Try a different cable if you have one available. If a different cable works, your original cable is damaged. If no cable works, the headphones themselves may be faulty.
Forget the device and start pairing from scratch
If your headphones still will not connect after the steps above, remove them from your device's Bluetooth list entirely and pair them as if for the first time. On your phone, tablet, or computer, go to Bluetooth settings, find your headphones in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget", "Unpair", or "Remove Device" — the exact wording depends on your device.
Once they are removed, turn your headphones off completely and wait ten seconds. Turn them back on and when ready hold the power button to enter pairing mode. Go back to your device's Bluetooth settings and look for your headphones in the available devices list. Tap or click to connect. This fresh pairing often succeeds when a previous attempt failed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my headphones keep disconnecting?
Headphones disconnect when they move out of Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet), when another device tries to connect to them, or when the battery is low. If disconnections happen frequently even when you are close to your device, restart both the headphones and your device. If the problem continues, try forgetting the headphones and pairing them again from scratch.
My headphones are in pairing mode but do not show up on my device
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your device — check the settings screen, not just whether you see a Bluetooth icon. If Bluetooth is on, move your headphones closer to your device and wait thirty seconds. If they still do not appear, restart both devices and try again. Some headphones only stay in pairing mode for two minutes, so you may need to hold the power button again.
Can I use the same headphones with multiple devices at once?
Most headphones can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch between devices, you will need to disconnect from the first device and reconnect to the second. Some newer headphones support multipoint connection, which lets them stay paired to two devices and switch between them automatically — check your headphones' manual to see if yours has this feature.
What if my headphones are too old to have Bluetooth?
Older wired headphones do not need Bluetooth — they plug directly into the headphone jack on your device. If your device does not have a headphone jack (most newer phones do not), you can use a USB adapter or a wireless adapter that plugs into the charging port. Test the headphones in a device that has a headphone jack to confirm they still work.
Do I need to pair my headphones every time I use them?
No. Once you pair headphones to a device, they remember that connection. The next time you turn on your headphones near that device, they will connect automatically. You only need to pair them again if you forget them from the device's Bluetooth settings or if you want to connect them to a different device.