I usually don my JBL headphones during my evening walks or when working out in the gym. The soft earpads make them one of the most comfortable headphones in my inventory. I can wear them all day long without discomfort.
The main benefit of these headsets is that they cover the entire ear, so I don’t get distracted when I need a bit of privacy while listening to my favorite tunes. The fact that they are compatible with most devices makes them even better.
However, I recently experienced challenges connecting my JBL headphones to my new iPhone. After visiting the JBL site for help, I discovered that JBL headphones not connecting is a widespread issue. Most people go through the same problem at some point.
Key Takeaways
- JBL headphones might not connect because Bluetooth is inactive or your chosen device doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity. Go to your device’s settings and enable it, or install a Bluetooth module.
- Your JBL headphones must be discoverable to connect to your devices. Put your headphones in pairing mode to complete the connection.
- Bluetooth connections work within a 10-meter range. Ensure your JBL headphones are within range to connect.
- If your JBL headphones have insufficient charge, they won’t connect. Recharge your headphones before attempting the pairing process.
- Previously connected devices can cause your JBL headphones not to connect. Remove your headphones from other devices before connecting them to a second device.
- Your JBL headphones might develop software bugs, leading to connection issues. Reset the headphones to solve the problem.
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Fixing JBL Headphones Not Connecting
For many, connecting JBL headphones to a Bluetooth device might seem a straightforward process. After all, JBL has guided instructions in their user manual on how to do it. However, your headphones might develop problems, causing them not to connect. Fortunately, I have practical solutions to solving this issue. Check out these troubleshooting tips to fix your JBL headphones that won’t connect.
Turn On Your Headphones
JBL headphones cannot connect when they are off. Simply press the power button on the right earcup to turn your JBL headphones on. The LED indicator will light up to show that the headphones are on. Once powered, you can proceed with the rest of the pairing steps.
The headphones won’t connect if they are not turned on. Press the power button/switch until the LED next to it starts flashing blue.
Make Your Headphones Discoverable
Your JBL headphones must be discoverable for your phone or tablet to find them. This step involves putting the headphones in pairing mode.
Depending on the headphone model, your JBL headphones might have a dedicated Bluetooth button or a power switch that doubles up as one. Press the Bluetooth button or slide the power button upward for a few seconds and release when the LED indicator starts to pulse blue.
To put the headphones in pairing mode, press the power/Bluetooth button or push the power switch until the LED starts pulsing blue.
Enable Bluetooth on Your Device
Sometimes, you forget to activate Bluetooth on your phone, tablet, or media device. After all, Bluetooth is usually off by default on most devices. Your JBL headphones won’t connect if you don’t enable Bluetooth on your device.
Go to your device’s settings and tap the Bluetooth menu to check if it is active. If not, tap the slider or right-click the Bluetooth icon and select Bluetooth to turn it on.
Enable Bluetooth on the device you want to connect your headphones to.
Nearly all smartphones and tablets support Bluetooth connectivity. However, this is not the case with computers and TVs. Ensure your device has a Bluetooth adapter before connecting your JBL headphones.
Check the Bluetooth Range
Bluetooth is like an invisible wired connection. It works best within a range of 10 meters. Your JBL headphones might not connect if they are far from your device. They should be within 10 meters or 33 feet from the connecting device.
If you have trouble connecting your JBL headphones, check the distance between the headphones and your device. Move the headphones closer to your Bluetooth device for a smooth pairing process.
If you have trouble connecting your JBL headphones, make sure the distance between the headphones and your phone is 33 ft or less. Ideally, keep them next to each other.
Check for Electromagnetic Interference
In this era of smart TVs and digital products, some appliances and electronics might interfere with Bluetooth signals, causing your JBL headphones not to connect. Smart microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, baby monitors, and cordless phones are the main culprits of electromagnetic interference.
If your JBL headphones have connection issues, consider moving to a different room or switching these gadgets off. Also, remove obstructions that might impede the line of sight between your headphones and the connecting device.
Try reducing EM interference around your headphones. Move the headphones away from other appliances that might cause interference.
Recharge Your Headphones
If you use wireless JBL headphones, you probably know they have a rechargeable battery. The battery requires regular charging to ensure the headphones provide adequate playback time. If the battery is low, your headphones might have issues connecting.
If the battery is critically low, your headphones might refuse to connect. They might even refuse to turn on.
The simplest way to resolve this issue is to recharge your headphones. Plug the supplied USB cable into a charger to boost the battery. If the battery is critically low, you may have to recharge it for several hours before attempting the connection.
Recharging your JBL headphones might fix the connection issue.
Remove Previously Connected Devices
JBL headphones usually store information on all connected/paired devices. If this isn’t the first time you are connecting your headphones via Bluetooth, you might experience issues pairing them with a second device. Your headphones will automatically connect to a previously connected device, leading to connection issues.
Delete/forget your headphones from previously connected devices to fix this issue. Go to the Bluetooth menu on a previous device and tap “forget” to remove your headphones from the Bluetooth list. Alternatively, switch off all previously connected devices for a smooth and seamless pairing process.
Forget your headphones from all previously paired devices. Alternatively, disable Bluetooth on all those devices, and leave Bluetooth enabled only on the device you want to connect to your headphones.
Reset Your Headphones
Software bugs, programming issues, and technical glitches can cause your JBL headphones not to connect. A factory reset can help resolve most issues, including connection problems.
The process will restore your headphones to default settings, clearing bugs and correcting glitches. It will also erase all saved pairing information, allowing you to set up your connection afresh.
The procedure for resetting JBL headphones is similar for all models except earbuds. Here’s how to reset your JBL headphones:
- Press or slide the power button to turn your headphones on.
- Locate the volume up and volume down buttons on the right earcup.
- Press and hold the volume up and volume down buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds.
Press and hold the VOL UP and VOL DOWN buttons for 5 seconds to reset the headphones.
- Release the buttons when the headphones power down.
- The headphones will produce a pinging sound after a successful reset.
How to Reset JBL Headphones
Update Your Device Firmware
Sometimes, JBL headphones might not connect because your device has an outdated operating system. You may have to check for and install the latest firmware to fix connection issues.
Go to your device’s settings and tap on System or a similar option to see if it has the latest firmware version. If not, update the software and restart the connection process.
Update Your Headphones’ Firmware
JBL headphones require software updates to fix bugs and unlock the latest features. The headphones might not connect to your device if they lack a critical firmware update.
The only way to update your JBL headphones is via the JBL Headphones app. The mobile app is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Follow these steps to update your JBL headphones’ firmware:
- Download and install the JBL Headphones app on your device.
- Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
- Turn on your JBL headphones.
- Pair your headphones with the app.
- On the app’s home screen, tap your JBL headphones.
- If an update is available, you’ll see an orange circle with a downward arrow.
This orange circle with a downward arrow indicates there’s an update available.
- Tap the downward arrow to initiate the update process.
- Tap install to update your headphones’ firmware.
- Monitor the progress circle and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
How to Update JBL Headphones
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Why are my JBL headphones not connecting?
- Answer: Your JBL headphones might not connect to your device because of hardware failure, a low charge, or outdated firmware. Software bugs, Bluetooth range, hardware failure, dead batteries, electromagnetic interference, and obstructions can also cause your headphones not to connect.
- Question: How do I get my JBL headphones to connect?
- Answer: JBL headphones might not connect to your device because they are not discoverable. The headphones must be in pairing mode before connecting to your phone, tablet, PC, or TV. Press the Bluetooth button to activate pairing mode and make your headphones discoverable. Next, go to your device’s Bluetooth menu and select your JBL headphones to connect.
- Question: How do I fix JBL headphones that won’t connect?
- Answer: Connection issues can occur for several reasons. If the issue is an insufficient charge, recharge your headphones. For minor bugs and technical glitches, reset your headphones to fix the problem. Remove obstructions and ensure the headphones are within range to connect to your device.
- Question: Do JBL headphones require a passkey to connect?
- Answer: No. JBL headphones do not usually require a passkey or password to connect to your phone, tablet, or PC. However, some smartphones, especially iPhones, might request a password for pairing and Bluetooth connections. The default password is usually 0000, 1111, or 1234. When prompted, enter any of these passkeys to complete the connection.
- Question: How to reset JBL headphones that won’t connect?
- Answer: The procedure for resetting JBL headphones is the same for almost all models. Even the older models use similar steps. Whether using wired or wireless JBL headphones, you can reset them by pressing the volume up and down buttons simultaneously for 10-20 seconds. Release the buttons when the headphones go off, and you hear a ping tone.
Conclusion
JBL headphones not connecting can be an annoying problem. In any case, you cannot use your headphones if they don’t connect to your device.
However, solving this issue shouldn’t take much of your time. You first need to make your headphones discoverable to connect to compatible devices. This step only requires you to press the Bluetooth button for a few seconds to put the headphones into pairing mode. If the problem persists, refer to this tutorial for more guided instructions and troubleshooting tips.
