My Bluetooth headphones have been working fine until recently when I noticed they’ve started acting up for no apparent reason. Whenever I want to listen to my favorite jams or place a call, the headphones keep disconnecting from my smart device, leaving me angry and frustrated.
If you are experiencing the same with your wireless headphones, you are not alone. Fortunately, I’ve discovered several ways to fix this issue. Here are the possible causes of this problem and how to fix them.
Key Takeaways
- Too much range between the Bluetooth headphones and the connected gadget is one of the leading causes of dropped connections.
- The ideal range between your Bluetooth headphones and the connected gadget should not be more than 30 feet to avoid connectivity issues and guarantee a stable connection.
- Your Bluetooth headphones might keep disconnecting because of low battery or inappropriate power settings in the connected device.
- Dropped connections on your Bluetooth headphones might arise from compatibility issues between the headsets and the connected device.
- Ensure your headphones and the connected device have updated firmware, patches, and drivers from the official manufacturer site.
Reasons Your Bluetooth Headphones Keep Disconnecting and How to Fix It
Your Bluetooth headphones might keep disconnecting because of various reasons. Understanding the possible causes of this issue can help you fix the problem quickly.
Here are the top reasons your Bluetooth headphones keep acting up and disconnecting:
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Low Battery
Low battery is one of the leading causes of Bluetooth connection drops. Your headphone might keep disconnecting because it has low battery power or the connected device has insufficient power.
Wireless devices use built-in rechargeable batteries instead of sourcing power from sockets or wall outlets. Your Bluetooth headphones might develop connection issues as the battery starts to drain.
Charge your headphones
How long the batteries last before requiring a recharge varies from headphone to headphone. Depending on your headset, the indicator light might flash or blink if the headphones need a recharge.
The quickest way to fix this problem is to charge your Bluetooth headset. Ensure the connected device also has sufficient power before connecting your headphones.
Disabled Bluetooth Setting
You must enable the Bluetooth setting on the connected device when pairing your headphones with your smartphone, PC, tablet, or speakers. If not, your headphones won’t connect to the primary device.
Ensure you enable Bluetooth on your device before connecting your wireless headset.
Here’s how to enable Bluetooth on different devices:
On Windows PC
- Click the Start button.
- Click the gear icon to open Settings.
- Go to Devices.
- Select Bluetooth & other devices.
- Click the Bluetooth toggle to turn it ON.
On Mac Computer
- Click the Apple menu.
- Go to System Settings.
- Click Bluetooth in the sidebar.
- Navigate down and click Bluetooth to turn it on.
On Android & iOS Devices
- From the home screen, swipe down.
- Go to Quick Settings.
- Locate and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on or off.
Bluetooth Range
Bluetooth technology has a limited range, not exceeding 30 feet. If you move your headphones away from the connected device, you might start experiencing connection drops. Your Bluetooth headphones might keep disconnecting because you are out of range.
Check the Bluetooth range and ensure you are within 30 feet of the connected phone, tablet, or PC. Move your Bluetooth headphones closer to the connected device for maximum connectivity. You can check the headset specifications to confirm how close you need to be to prevent connection drops.
Outdated Software
Whether you are using a phone or PC, Bluetooth devices require various drivers and software to function appropriately. Your device relies on these drivers to send and receive Bluetooth signals or communicate with other connected devices.
If the firmware is outdated, your Bluetooth headphones might start acting up or keep disconnecting from the connected devices.
You may need to update the Bluetooth drivers on your computer or the firmware on your phone to resolve Bluetooth connection issues.
Ensure you download the correct Bluetooth driver from the manufacturer’s official website. Your PC might also download additional drivers if the automatic updates setting is active.
Unpaired Device
Your Bluetooth headphones might fail to connect to your device or keep disconnecting because of improper pairing. Sometimes, the headphones might unpair themselves because of bugs and hitches.
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The quickest way to fix this problem is to unpair and re-pair your Bluetooth headphones with your device.
Here are the steps:
- Press and hold the power button on your headphones for seven seconds.
- Wait for the indicator light to start flashing as the headset enters pairing mode.
- Activate Bluetooth on your phone or PC.
- Search for nearby Bluetooth devices.
- Select your Bluetooth headphones and enter the passcode indicated on the headset manual.
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Signal Interference
Signal interference is another common cause of Bluetooth connection drops.
Electrical appliances and devices such as wireless speakers, baby monitors, microwaves, and Wi-Fi routers operate within the same frequency range as Bluetooth devices. When these gadgets are on simultaneously, you might experience connection problems.
Household appliances and electronics can prevent Bluetooth headphones from sending and receiving signals from connected devices through electromagnetic interference.
To solve this problem, consider disabling other electrical devices. Ensure there are no obstacles between the headset and connected devices.
Bluetooth Power Setting (Windows Devices)
Power management settings can cause your Bluetooth headphones to disconnect from your PC. A low-power state might deactivate your headset to save power when your battery is running out, leading to connection drops.
You only need to change the Bluetooth power setting to restore the connection between your headphones and the connected device.
Here are the steps:
- Right-click the start button.
- Go to Device manager.
- Double-click Bluetooth.
- Right-click your Bluetooth adapter.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the option that allows your computer to disable Bluetooth to save power.
- Click OK.
- Check if this resolves the problem.
Background Apps
Our phones and computers usually run various applications and services in the background. However, these background apps can interfere with your Bluetooth connection, especially when pairing your headphones.
Disabling some of these apps can help restore your Bluetooth connection. If you are using a phone, go to Settings and select manage apps to view applications running in the background. Select non-essential apps and tap “Force Stop” to deactivate them.
You can disable background apps and services on your PC by going to Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to access Task Manager and deactivate some applications and services.
Device Compatibility
Your Bluetooth headphones might keep disconnecting from the connected device because of compatibility issues.
Some headset brands do not work with specific phones and computers and might require you to download a third-party software program to make them compatible. Alternatively, you may need to install a separate Bluetooth adapter, particularly for older PCs.
Bluetooth Headphone Quality
If you experience constant connection problems even with a new headset, consider checking its quality. The headphone quality might be an issue, especially with low-end headsets.
Also, check if your headphones are faulty before connecting to your devices. Defective headsets might cause connection drops, leaving you frustrated. Consider repairing or replacing faulty headphones to restore your Bluetooth connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I make my Bluetooth headphones stay connected?
- Answer: Low battery is one of the reasons your headphones keep disconnecting. Charge your Bluetooth headphones and the connected device and ensure they have adequate power. Also, ensure your connected device is within range (not more than 30 feet from the headset).
- Question: Why do my Bluetooth headphones keep cutting out and disconnecting?
- Answer: Your Bluetooth headphones might keep cutting out and disconnecting because of signal interference. It might also disconnect because of low battery power. Check the distance between the headphones and the connected device, and remove any electrical appliances that might interfere with the connection. Ensure you recharge the wireless headphones before using them.
- Question: What disrupts Bluetooth connection?
- Answer: Bluetooth connections are prone to disruptions from wireless speakers, microwaves, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi routers. These devices operate within the same frequency range, making Bluetooth connections vulnerable to signal interference and connectivity issues. Consider turning off wireless devices that are not in use to prevent unnecessary interruptions and signal interference.
- Question: Is there a reset button on Bluetooth headphones?
- Answer: Some Bluetooth headphones have a reset button, while others do not. Whatever the case, you can still reset your headset even if it does not have this button. Locate the power button and press it for a few seconds until the light indicator blinks red or blue. Resetting the headphones can help resolve any Bluetooth connectivity issues.
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- Question: How do I check the battery level on my Bluetooth headphones?
- Answer: If your Bluetooth headset supports it, you must pair it with a compatible smartphone to check its battery status. Older, low-end headphones cannot report battery percentage, but you can tell if it is running low on battery power when the indicator light starts to flash.
Conclusion
Bluetooth headphones are popular because of the convenience they provide. They free up your hands, consequently enhancing your productivity. But like other wireless gadgets, Bluetooth headphones are prone to connectivity issues. Your headset might keep disconnecting when you least expect it. Fortunately, you can fix it quickly using our proven tips.
