Fix Bluetooth Headphones That Won't Connect
Your headphones won't show up, won't pair, or connect but play nothing. Here's how to fix it on Windows and Mac, quickest fixes first.
They're connected to something else
Bluetooth headphones usually connect to the last device they used, often your phone, even if it's in another room. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone (or other nearby devices) and try again. Many problems disappear right there.
FIXTry these in order
Open a step, try it, then tell us if it worked.
- Charge the headphones for 10 minutes; a low battery causes failed connections.
- Put them in pairing mode: usually hold the power or Bluetooth button until a light flashes blue or white, or you hear “pairing”. For AirPods, open the case and hold the button on the back until the light flashes white. Check the manual if unsure.
Open Settings › Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then on. Or use the Bluetooth button in Quick Settings (click the Wi-Fi/volume icons near the clock).
Click Control Centre in the menu bar, then Bluetooth, and turn it off and on.
In Settings › Bluetooth & devices, click ··· next to the headphones and choose Remove device. Put them in pairing mode, then click Add device › Bluetooth and select them.
In System Settings › Bluetooth, click ⓘ next to the headphones and choose Forget This Device. Put them in pairing mode and click Connect when they appear.
Also remove them from your phone if they keep jumping back to it.
Click the speaker icon near the clock, then the > arrow, and select the headphones. If they're listed twice (as “Headphones” and “Headset”), choose Headphones for better sound quality.
Go to System Settings › Sound › Output and select the headphones.
- Restart the computer.
- Factory reset the headphones: the method varies (often holding the power button for 10–20 seconds, or a button combination). Search “[your headphone model] reset”. For AirPods, hold the case button for about 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
Install all updates, including Optional updates, in Settings › Windows Update. Then check your computer maker's support site for the latest Bluetooth or wireless driver.
Install anything in System Settings › General › Software Update. AirPods also get firmware updates automatically when connected to an up-to-date iPhone or Mac.
Try them with a different device. If they don't connect anywhere, contact the headphone maker; if they work everywhere except your computer, its Bluetooth may need repair or a cheap USB Bluetooth adapter.
FAQCommon questions
Why do my headphones sound terrible on calls?
When the microphone is in use, Bluetooth switches to a lower-quality mode. Use the computer's built-in mic for calls, or choose “Headphones” rather than “Headset” as the output when you just want to listen.
Why do they keep disconnecting?
Distance, walls, USB 3 devices and Wi-Fi interference. Stay within a few metres, and turn off Bluetooth power-saving on Windows via Device Manager › Bluetooth › Properties › Power Management.
Can I connect headphones to two devices at once?
Only if they support “multipoint”. Check the specs or the maker's app.
Sound is delayed behind the video. Can I fix it?
Some delay is normal with Bluetooth. Restarting the video, updating drivers, or using headphones that support lower-latency codecs helps.