Earbuds and Headphones Not Working? How to Fix Them

Find Your Problem: Symptom, Cause and First Fix

The table lists eight symptoms that wireless earbuds, earphones and headphones share, with the most likely cause and the first fix for each.

Symptom	Most likely cause	First fix	Full steps
Won't connect	Still connected to another device, Bluetooth off, or an old pairing	Put them back in the case, turn Bluetooth off and on, then forget them and pair again.	earbuds Not Connecting
Keep disconnecting	Too far from the phone, interference from a Wi-Fi router or running microwave, low battery, or automatic switching	Stay close, move away from other wireless devices and charge both earbuds first.	Why Earbuds Keep Disconnecting
Won't pair with a new phone or PC	Earbuds not in pairing mode	Put them in pairing mode, open Bluetooth on your phone or computer, then select them from the list.	How to Pair and Connect Bluetooth Earbuds and Headphones
Case or earbuds not charging	A flat case, or dirt on the charging contacts or port	Charge the case with a cable you know works, clean the contacts on the earbuds and inside the case, then seat both earbuds again.	earbuds Not Charging
Need a reset, or frozen	Settings or a pairing record that no longer matches your phone	Forget them in your phone's Bluetooth settings, then use the brand's reset control (usually a button on the case or on the earbuds, or the companion app), and pair them again.	How to Reset Earbuds
AirPods won't turn on or off	Flat earbuds or a flat case	Open the case next to your iPhone and take the AirPods out; if nothing happens, charge them in the closed case for at least 15 minutes.	How to Turn AirPods On and Off
One earbud silent	One earbud flat, or the audio balance off center	Put both earbuds in the charging case, let them charge, then check that your phone's audio balance is centered.	one Earbud Not Working
Quiet or muffled	Dirt or debris on the speaker mesh or eartips, a loose eartip seal, or a volume limit	Clean the mesh gently, try a different eartip size, and check your phone's volume and headphone-safety settings.	headphones Muffled or Quiet

The linked page picks up where each first fix stops, with the remaining steps in the order the makers publish them.

Earbuds Won't Connect or Keep Disconnecting

Earbuds that won't connect are usually still linked to another phone, tablet or laptop, or Bluetooth is off on the phone you want to use. When your phone can't find your earbuds at all, or they are not detected in the Bluetooth list, they are usually not in pairing mode. Try these fixes in this order:

• Put both earbuds in the case, close the lid, then open it again.
• Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
• Forget the earbuds in your Bluetooth settings, then pair them again.

A reset comes after all three; Apple lists it as the last step for AirPods that won't connect. Earbuds can also sit in the Bluetooth list and still not connect, and Microsoft's fix for that case is to remove them and add them again. That gap between paired and connected is the pairing vs connecting question, and the earbuds not connecting page has the full order for each brand.

Why Do Earbuds Keep Disconnecting?

Earbuds keep disconnecting when they drift out of range, sit near interference, run low on battery or switch to another device on their own, as Galaxy Buds with Auto switch do for calls. Samsung's support page names Wi-Fi routers and running microwaves as the interference to move away from, and Apple asks you to keep Beats within 30 feet of the paired device. Bose's owner's guide for the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) gives the same kind of limit, 30 ft (9 m). Microsoft adds that some Bluetooth devices can't hold a connection on a low battery. Why earbuds keep disconnecting matches each cause to its fix, including automatic switching between your own devices.

"Sync" Means Pairing for Headphones

For headphones and earbuds, "sync" means pairing: you put them in pairing mode, then select them in your phone's Bluetooth list. Owners of Beats headphones, JBL, Bose and Skullcandy earbuds often search for how to sync them, and the pairing guide above covers each brand. Skullcandy also uses "re-sync" for linking the left and right Dime 3 earbuds back to each other. Health-data sync, such as steps and sleep, is a smartwatch topic, not an earbud one.

Earbuds or Charging Case Not Charging?

Earbuds that won't charge usually have a flat case or dirt on the charging contacts. The case charges the earbuds, so a low case can't top them up: Bose says a charging case that is itself low "won't charge the earbuds properly." Check these three things first:

• The cable and power adapter, plugged in firmly.
• The charging contacts on each earbud and inside the case, free of debris.
• Both earbuds seated properly, with the lid closed.

Give the case real time on the charger before you judge it: Apple asks for at least 15 minutes for AirPods and their case, and Samsung for at least 30 minutes for Galaxy Buds. A completely dead case can hide the problem: Skullcandy says Dime 3 earbuds in a dead case "will not register that they have been placed into the case." If only one side charges, check each earbud's charge on your phone, as Apple's AirPods steps do, and look for twisted ear gels, which Skullcandy says can stop the earbuds sitting correctly in the case. Earbuds not charging has the steps by brand.

How to Reset Earbuds and Headphones (and When Not To)

Reset earbuds only after the case, Bluetooth and forget-and-pair fixes have failed. A restart turns the earbuds off and on; for Samsung Galaxy Buds it means putting them in the case, closing the lid and waiting at least seven seconds. A factory reset erases the pairing and your custom settings, so you pair the earbuds again afterwards. The reset control depends on the brand. AirPods 1, 2 and 3 and AirPods Pro 1 and 2 use the setup button on the back of the case, while AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3 use a double-tap on the front of the case. Samsung Galaxy Buds have no reset button; the Reset option sits in the phone's Settings or the Galaxy Wearable app. Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones reset with two headset buttons and the WF-1000XM5 earbuds with a button on the back of the case, while JBL's Tune and Live pages use a touch gesture on earbuds and the volume buttons on headphones.

Sony and Bose use the words differently. On those two Sony models a reset keeps "the pairing information and other settings," and the full wipe is called initializing. On the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Headphones (2nd Gen), a Bose reset reboots the product without erasing your settings, and the full wipe is a restore to factory settings. How to reset earbuds has the steps for each brand.

Earbuds Won't Turn On or Off?

Several makers' earbuds switch on and off with the charging case instead of a power button. Samsung says Galaxy Buds "do not have a power on/off function." Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) power on when you open the case and off when you close it, and Skullcandy's Dime 3 earbuds power on as they leave the case and power off in it. Apple's connection steps for AirPods have no power step at all. Some earbuds also sleep out of the case: Samsung says Galaxy Buds enter Sleep Mode after a set time out of your ears, and Bose says a QuietComfort Ultra Earbud (2nd Gen) in Standby wakes when you put it in your ear. Earbuds that seem dead usually sit in a flat case, which is the charging problem above; How to Turn AirPods On and Off covers the AirPods details.

Only One Earbud Working?

When only one earbud works, put both earbuds in the charging case, let them charge, then check that your phone's audio balance is centered. On an iPhone the setting is Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Balance, and Apple says the slider should sit in the middle. For AirPods, Apple's steps have you charge both in the case for 30 seconds. If the left or right side is still quiet, check its speaker mesh for debris and clean it. Skullcandy's fix for no audio in one ear on Dime 3 is similar: both earbuds into the case until the lights turn red, then out together. Pair again or reset only after these checks; the same order applies when one side of Bluetooth headphones goes silent. One earbud not working covers each brand.

Headphones Muffled, Quiet or Low on Volume?

Muffled or quiet sound usually comes from a blocked speaker mesh or a loose eartip seal, and the same dirt or debris can make one side quieter. For low bass, Google asks Pixel Buds owners to use the correct eartip size, try all 3 sizes and get a tight seal. If noise cancelling seems weak rather than the volume, make sure it is turned on and that the ear tips seal; Apple's AirPods page names both checks, and the features guide on what noise cancelling is and how it works on earbuds explains the modes. The care guide on how to clean AirPods and the charging case covers safe cleaning, and headphones muffled or quiet has the full checks.

Fixes by Brand: AirPods, Beats, Sony, Bose, JBL and More

Fixes depend on the exact model, so button holds, light colors and app menus live on each brand page. The table lists each brand's companion app and where its reset control sits, taken from the makers' own support pages.

Brand	Companion app	Where the reset control is	Brand fix page
AirPods	No app: settings are in iPhone Settings under your AirPods' name	Setup button on the back of the case (AirPods 1, 2 and 3, AirPods Pro 1 and 2) or a double-tap on the front of the case (AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3)	AirPods Problems and Fixes
Beats headphones and earbuds	Beats app on Android; on iPhone, settings are in Settings under your Beats' name	System button on the case (Beats Fit Pro, Powerbeats Fit, Studio Buds +, Powerbeats Pro 2), the button above the "b" logo on both Solo Buds earbuds, the system button on Studio Pro, or a two-button hold (Solo 4, Beats 360, Beats Flex)	Beats headphones problems and fixes
Bose	Bose app (formerly the Bose Music app); QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) use the Bose QCE app	Button on the back of the charging case (QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)), a touch and hold on the earbuds (QuietComfort Earbuds (2024)), or the Power/Bluetooth button (QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen))	Bose Headphones Problems and Fixes
JBL	JBL Headphones	A touch gesture on the earbuds; the Vol + and Vol - buttons on Tune and Live headphones	JBL Earbuds Problems and Fixes
Sony	Sony | Sound Connect (formerly Headphones Connect)	Headset buttons (power and NC/AMB on the WH-1000XM6) or the reset button on the back of the case (WF-1000XM5)	Sony Headphones Problems and Fixes
Skullcandy	Skullcandy App, supported models only (not Dime 3, Sesh Evo or Hesh Evo)	Both earbud buttons (Dime 3), both touch sensors (Rail ANC), the right earbud button (Push Active), or a touch and hold on each earbud (Indy Evo, Sesh Evo)	Skullcandy Earbuds Problems and Fixes
Samsung Galaxy Buds	Galaxy Wearable; on Galaxy phones with One UI 8, the settings sit in the phone's Settings	No reset button: Reset in the phone's Settings or in Galaxy Wearable	Samsung Galaxy Buds problems and fixes
Google Pixel Buds	Pixel Buds app from Google Play; built into Settings on Pixel phones with Android 10 or higher	The pairing button on the back of the case	Pixel Buds Problems and Fixes

Two models from the same brand can use different controls, so check your model name on the brand page before you hold any button.

Lost an Earbud Instead?

A missing earbud isn't a fault, so none of the fixes above will bring it back. Use Find My for AirPods, or the finder your brand includes, such as the Tile technology Skullcandy builds into each Dime 3 earbud; how to find lost AirPods explains what the map can show.

Guides by topic

• Features: what is noise cancelling and how does it work on earbuds
• Bluetooth: pairing vs connecting
• Find and identify: how to find lost AirPods
• Care: how to clean AirPods and the charging case
• Repair: Apple Watch battery replacement
• News: is Garmin Connect down

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Earbuds Stopped Working After an Update?

Earbuds that stop working suddenly often changed along with a phone OS or firmware update. AirPods update on their own: Apple says firmware updates "are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi." Bose sends each new update for the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) to the Bose app automatically, and you install it from there. Samsung lists updating the connected device and the earbud software as later steps for Galaxy Buds that won't connect. The wearable and earbud Update Tracker lists current versions and known issues by brand. Wrist devices add one more cause, a service outage, which Is Garmin Connect Down tracks for Garmin owners.

Get an email when an earbud update breaks something, and when it's fixed.

Smartwatch Acting Up Too?

A smartwatch and earbuds that fail together usually share the cause: the same phone, the same Bluetooth connection or the same companion app. Restart the phone and check its Bluetooth first, since Samsung and Google both list a restart of the connected device among their fixes. The watch side has its own hub, smartwatch not working, which routes sync, battery and pairing faults. For an Apple Watch that no longer holds a charge, the charging path ends at Apple Watch Battery Replacement.

When to Contact the Manufacturer

Contact the maker when the table and the linked page have both run out of fixes. Work through this order:

1. Try the next fix on the linked page for your symptom.
2. Reset the earbuds or headphones, using How to Reset Earbuds for your brand.
3. Contact official support: Apple, Beats, Samsung, Google, Sony, Bose, JBL or Skullcandy.
4. Ask the maker about warranty or repair options.

The makers end their own fix lists the same way: Apple's last step for AirPods that won't connect is a reset, and Samsung's last step for Galaxy Buds says service may be required if one or both earbuds still won't connect. Physical damage, such as a broken wire, a damaged plug or a cracked case, needs the manufacturer or a repair service; we don't cover wired repairs.

Earbuds and Headphones: Quick Answers

These are short answers to the questions people ask most when earbuds or headphones stop working.

Why are my earbuds suddenly not connecting?

A recent phone or firmware update, a new phone, or earbuds still connected to another device are the usual causes. Put both earbuds in the case, close the lid, then pair them again, and check the Update Tracker for a known issue; the earbuds not connecting page has the full order.

Why are my headphones not working on my PC?

Windows may be sending sound to another output, or the headphones are paired but not connected. On Windows 11, Microsoft suggests the Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app first. Its fix for sound: select Start > Settings > System > Sound, and under Output, pick your Bluetooth headphones. If they appear in the Bluetooth list but won't connect, remove them and add them again; the pairing guide has the Windows steps.

Can you fix headphones yourself?

Yes: you can fix Bluetooth headphones and earbuds yourself when the fault is a connection, charging, sound-setting or reset problem, which are the faults this page routes. The makers publish those fixes for owners to follow, from the case, the phone's Bluetooth settings or the brand app. Physical damage is different: a broken wire, a damaged plug or a cracked case needs the manufacturer or a repair service.

Why are my earbuds so quiet?

Quiet earbuds usually have dirt or debris on the speaker mesh or eartips, or a setting that caps the volume. On an iPhone, Reduce Loud Audio lowers headphone volume above a level you set, and after a headphone notification the next connection starts at a lower volume. An off-center Balance slider makes one side quieter.