Bose headphones are the embodiment of perfection. They are flawless in almost every aspect. They have a solid build, sleek, ergonomic design, and deliver a decent battery life. Their acoustic quality is also unmatched compared to headphones in the same class.
The best part about Bose headphones is that they are compatible with almost all Bluetooth devices. You can connect them to your phone, tablet, computer, and TV.
As much as they are impeccable, they are not immune from slight issues. Sometimes, your Bose headphones won’t connect to your devices, no matter how hard you try. Fortunately, I have some handy tips to help you to overcome this issue. Here’s how to fix Bose headphones that won’t connect.
Key Takeaways
- Bose headphones might not connect because of pairing issues. Ensure your headphones are discoverable and Bluetooth is active to fix the problem.
- Bluetooth devices usually have a maximum pairing limit. If Bose headphones don’t connect, check if your device has exceeded the pairing limit and unpair unused items from the list.
- The distance between your Bose headphones and the paired Bluetooth device matters in establishing a connection. Bose headphones might not connect if they are out of range.
- Electromagnetic interference can cause your Bose headphones not to connect to your device. Turn off or move unused wireless electronics to solve the issue.
- Smartphones usually have permission settings that limit wireless connections. Allow permissions requested to establish a connection between your headphones and your device.
- Your Bose headphones might not connect because of a low charge. Recharge both your headphones and Bluetooth device to fix this problem.
- Hardware failure on your Bose headphones or Bluetooth device can cause your headphones not to connect. Check your headphones and device for visible damage to troubleshoot the issue.
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Reasons Why Bose Headphones Won’t Connect?
Setting up your Bose headphones to connect to your Bluetooth device is usually straightforward. However, issues might arise, causing your Bose headphones not to connect.
Here are the top reasons Bose headphones won’t connect and how to fix them.
Pairing Issues
First, your headphones need to be in pairing mode to connect to your Bluetooth device. Pairing makes your headphones discoverable so your phone, PC, or TV can find them. If your Bose headphones are not in pairing mode, they won’t connect to your device.
Depending on the model, your Bose headphones might enter pairing mode automatically when powered on. Some headphones use the power switch for Bluetooth functions, while others have a dedicated Bluetooth button.
Follow these steps to make your Bose headphones discoverable:
- Press the power button to turn your headphones on.
- Slide the power button to the right and release it when the Bluetooth light starts pulsing.
If your Bose headphones have a sliding power button that doubles as the Bluetooth button, slide it towards the Bluetooth symbol and release it when the Bluetooth light starts pulsing blue.
- For models with a dedicated Bluetooth button, press and hold the button for several seconds.
If your Bose headphones have a dedicated Bluetooth button, press it and hold until the Bluetooth light starts pulsing blue.
- Release the button when the Bluetooth light starts to blink.
- Your headphones are now discoverable.
- Go to your device’s Bluetooth menu and select your Bose headphones to connect.
Enable Bluetooth on your device, and select your Bose headphones.
Pairing Bose 700 NC to an iPhone
Deactivated Bluetooth
Even if your Bose headphones are discoverable, they won’t connect if Bluetooth is inactive on your media device. You have to enable Bluetooth on your device to pair with your headphones.
Fortunately, enabling Bluetooth is simple. You can access the Bluetooth menu through your device’s Settings app or the Quick Settings panel. Here’s how to do it:
- Tap the gear icon on your device to go to Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth/Connections.
- Tap the slider next to Bluetooth to turn it on.
- Your device will automatically search for nearby Bluetooth devices.
- Tap your Bose headphones from the list to connect.
If connecting your Bose headphones to a PC or TV, ensure it has a functioning Bluetooth adapter. Enable Bluetooth through your computer’s or TV settings to complete the connection.
You need to enable Bluetooth on your device to connect your Bose headphones to it. Putting Bose headphones in pairing is not enough.
Bluetooth Range
Bluetooth connections work within a specific range. Advanced Bluetooth devices can transmit signals up to 100 meters away.
Despite technological advances, the best-in-class Bluetooth range doesn’t exceed 10 meters. Your Bose headphones might not connect if they are far from the target device. They must be within the specified 10-meter radius to connect to your device.
Confirm that your Bose headphones and device are within range. If not, move closer to your device to establish a connection.
Keep your Bose headphones within a 10-meter radius. Move the headphones closer to your Bluetooth device to establish a connection.
Exceeded Device Limit
If your Bose headphones don’t connect, check the number of paired devices on your phone or tablet. Most Bluetooth devices have a limit on the number of devices they can pair with. Too many paired devices can cause connection problems.
The quickest solution is removing some paired gadgets from your device. Go to your Bluetooth menu and select paired devices you no longer use. When you tap on a paired device, tap the “Forget Device” option to remove it from the list. You may have to delete one device at a time.
If you have too many connected Bluetooth devices, try forgetting some of them.
Previously Connected Devices
Your Bose headphones save pairing information of previously connected devices. You don’t have to restart the pairing process afresh whenever you want to connect your headphones to a paired device. Your headphones will automatically connect to the nearest previously connected device.
While this feature is convenient, it can cause problems when connecting a new device. Your headphones will quickly reconnect with a previous device, causing them not to pair with the second device.
You can solve this issue in two ways. The first is to turn off the previously connected device. The second option is to clear your Bose headphones of previously connected devices.
Here’s how to clear your Bose headphones’ memory of paired devices:
- Turn your headphones on.
- Press the Power/Bluetooth button for 10 seconds.
- Release the button when you hear the voice prompt, “Bluetooth device list cleared.”
How to Clear the Bluetooth Device List on Your Bose Headphones?
Alternatively:
Open the app and tap on Source.
- Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
When you select Edit, you will see a list of all Bluetooth devices previously paired with your Bose headphones.
- Tap X next to the device you want to delete.
Electromagnetic Interference
Even if your Bose headphones are within Bluetooth range, they might not connect because of electromagnetic interference. Gadgets and appliances such as Bluetooth speakers, cordless phones, and smart microwaves emit electromagnetic waves that interfere with wireless connections.
Electromagnetic interference might be affecting the connection between your Bose headphones and your phone/PC.
The solution is simple. Remove or turn off other wireless gadgets that might interfere with Bluetooth signal transmission. Ensure there are no obstructions between your headphones and the target device.
Outdated Firmware
Your Bose headphones require frequent updates for optimum performance. Failure to update your headphone firmware can cause connection problems.
Here’s how to update your Bose headphones:
- Connect your headphones to your PC via USB.
- Launch your preferred web browser on your computer.
- Go to https://btu.bose.com.
The website will automatically recognize your headphone model and notify you about available updates.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install available updates.
Updating Bose Headphones via PC
You can also update your Bose headphones wireless via the Bose Connect app.
Here are the steps:
- Load the Bose Connect app on your device.
- From the app’s home screen, check for a downward arrow (update icon).
- Tap the update icon.
- Check the white circular bar to follow the update progress.
Technical Glitches
Headphones are like any other electronics. They develop bugs and glitches from time to time. Your Bose headphones might not connect because of these software bugs. You can solve this problem by restarting or resetting your headphones.
To restart your headphones:
- Locate and press the power button and hold it for several seconds.
- Release the button when the headphones go off.
- Wait briefly for at least 10 seconds.
- Press the power switch again to turn the headphones on.
Restarting your Bose headphones might fix minor bugs.
To reset your Bose headphones:
- Press the power/Bluetooth button for several seconds.
- Release the when the indicator light starts pulsing.
- You’ll hear a voice prompt when the reset is complete.
Alternatively:
- Press the power button and maintain the position for a few seconds.
- Connect a USB cable to the headphones while still pressing the power button.
- Release the button when the LED light blinks.
Resetting Bose Headphones – Step-by-Step Guide
Declined Permission Settings
Bose products have a companion mobile app with optimized features. You can connect your Bose headphones to Bluetooth via the Bose Connect app. However, the app requires various permissions to connect and control your headphones.
When you load the app for the first time, it will request access to your phone settings. Declining these requests can cause your Bose headphones not to connect via the app. To solve this problem, uninstall and reinstall the app, then allow the requested permissions.
Low Battery Level
Your Bose headphones might not connect because of a low battery level. Your headphones require sufficient charge to connect to your Bluetooth device. For some models, the battery level must be at least 20% for Bluetooth connections. Conversely, your device must have adequate charge to complete the connection.
While some headphones can connect with a low charge, the sound quality might be laggy or delayed. The only solution is to recharge your devices. Use the provided charging equipment to boost the battery in your headphones and Bluetooth device.
Make sure your headphones and your phone are charged before connecting them together.
Outdated Bluetooth Drivers
Modern computers support Bluetooth connectivity. You can also install an external Bluetooth adapter for wireless connections. However, they require frequent updates for optimum performance. As a result, you might experience connectivity issues if the Bluetooth drivers are obsolete.
Updating your PC Bluetooth drivers is usually automatic so long as automatic updates are enabled. Whether you are using Windows or MacOS, the drivers will automatically update with the next OS update.
If automatic updates are off, you may have to update the Bluetooth drivers manually. You require an internet connection to update your drivers.
Follow these steps to update Bluetooth drivers:
Windows PC
- Right-click the Windows start button.
- Click Device Manager.
- Right-click your Bluetooth adapter from the list.
- Click Update driver.
Updating Bluetooth drivers on your Windows PC might fix the connection issue.
Mac Computer
- Click the Apple logo at the top.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Click Software Updates.
- Check to see if there are any updates available.
- Click Update Now.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Incorrect Passkey
Some devices require a password for wireless connections. When pairing your headphones with your Bluetooth device, you’ll receive a prompt on your device asking for the password. Bose headphones won’t connect if you enter the incorrect passkey. Entering the correct password can solve the problem.
The default passkey for Bluetooth pairing on most devices is usually 0000, 1111, or 1234. You may refer to your device’s user guide to confirm the password. If you or someone else changed the default password and cannot recall or access it, the only solution is to reset your device.
Hardware Failure
Your Bose headphones might not connect because of hardware issues. Hardware failure is not an isolated problem. Your headphones or Bluetooth device might be defective. Inspect your equipment for physical damage before trying again. Your device might require servicing, or you may have to replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Can Bose headphones connect to an iPhone?
- Answer: Yes. Bose headphones are compatible with numerous Bluetooth devices, including iPhones. They can connect to your iPhone or iOS device via Bluetooth or the Bose Connect app. Ensure your iPhone has the latest firmware version and your headphones are up to date.
- Question: Why won’t Bose headphones connect to my device?
- Answer: Bose headphones might not connect to your device because of pairing issues. You must first pair your headphones with your device to connect. If that doesn’t work, check the Bluetooth range. The distance between your headphones and media device must not exceed 10 meters. Other reasons include hardware failure, outdated firmware, software bugs, obsolete Bluetooth drivers, a low battery level, and restrictive permission settings.
- Question: How do I enable pairing mode on Bose headphones?
- Answer: The process of enabling Bluetooth on Bose headphones depends on the model. For most Bose headphones, you only need to slide the power button to the right and release it when the light starts pulsing. Some headphones have a dedicated Bluetooth button. To activate the discoverable mode, press the Bluetooth button for a few seconds and release it when the LED blinks.
- Question: How do I restart Bose headphones?
- Answer: Like most electronics, your Bose headphones might require a reboot to fix connection issues. Restarting your headphones entails powering them off and then on again. Locate and press the power button until the headphones go off. Wait briefly for at least 10 seconds, then press the power switch again to turn the headphones on.
- Question: How do I reset Bose headphones to fix connection issues?
- Answer: Different Bose headphone models have different reset steps, depending on the model. You may have to press the power/Bluetooth button for several seconds and release it when the indicator light starts pulsing. For some models, you may have to press the power button, connect a USB cable to the headphones, and then release the button when the LED light blinks.
Conclusion
Bose headphones rarely have connection issues, but this is not to say they are perfect. Your headphones might not connect because of bugs, pairing issues, a low charge, outdated software, and hardware failure. If your Bose headphones won’t connect, establish the reason why to fix the problem. Use this guide to solve the issue quickly.
