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How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems

by Suzanne Kantra on December 26, 2023

Updated on 12/26/2023 for the latest changes with Bluetooth features and device operating systems.

Bluetooth is a popular method of wirelessly transferring data between two devices, such as your phone and your headphones, your computer and a speaker, or your iPad and a keyboard. It’s one of the most widely used wireless technology in the world, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. More than 5.9 billion Bluetooth products are expected to ship in 2024 alone, and that number will likely increase to more than 7.6 billion per year by 2027.

Bluetooth is all great when it works. But if you’re someone who likes to play around with these kinds of connected gadgets, you know it can be frustrating when there’s a hang-up pairing the two. And as a professional tech journalist who has reviewed hundreds of Bluetooth devices in my career, believe me, I feel your pain.

Here are some common causes of pairing problems, as well as my advice on what you can do about them.

Understanding Bluetooth pairing

To better understand pairing issues, let's explore how Bluetooth operates. Bluetooth depends on both hardware and software to work properly. From a hardware perspective, the devices need to support the same 2.4GHz frequencies. On the software side, they need to support the same Bluetooth profiles so they can decode instructions for specific functions. For example, you can't pair a mouse with your car because your car doesn’t support the Human Interface Device Profile.

In general, Bluetooth software is backward compatible: Bluetooth devices supporting Bluetooth 5 or higher should still be able to pair with devices using, say, the ancient Bluetooth 2.1, launched back in 2007.

Unless there is a hardware or software incompatibility, most Bluetooth pairing problems can be easily resolved.

Usually, Bluetooth devices connect with one device at a time. When a device is already paired with another device and has an active connection, that will interfere with pairing. However, some headphones support multipoint pairing – a feature that lets one pair of headphones connect to two or even three devices simultaneously.

If you're having issues pairing a multipoint device, I suggest you skip to the section below on tips for solving problems with Bluetooth multipoint pairing before going through the general Bluetooth pairing failure steps.

What you can do about Bluetooth pairing failures

Smarphone and Bluetooth earbuds on a table

1. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on

You should see the little Bluetooth symbol at the top right of the screen if you have an Android device. For iOS and iPadOS, you'll need to go into the settings to enable and disable Bluetooth. Windows users will find Bluetooth in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth (or you may have a shortcut on your taskbar). Mac users will find a Bluetooth status icon on the menu bar.

2. Determine what pairing process your device employs

Most Bluetooth pairing is straightforward. You put both devices into paring mode, they see each other, and they connect. Sometimes, though, there is an extra security step, like typing in a code. If you’re not sure how to pair your device, refer to its user guide; you can usually find one by searching online.

3. Turn on pairing mode

Bluetooth devices typically fall into two main categories: accessories and main devices. Accessories include items like headphones and keyboards, while main devices encompass phones, cars, TVs, and computers.

Accessories usually start in pairing mode out of the box, indicated by a blinking light. Once initially paired, if you need to pair these accessories with another device, you'll have to activate pairing mode again. To do this, search for 'how to put [product name] into pairing mode.' (We have guides for Jabra, JBL, JLab Audio, Mpow, Skullcandy, and Sony.)

For main devices such as phones and cars, you must first ensure Bluetooth is activated. Then, put the device into pairing mode through its settings menu. Instructions for this can typically be found by searching 'put [product name] into pairing mode.'

Let’s say you want to pair your phone with your car’s infotainment system to enjoy hands-free calling, texting, and navigation. First, activate Bluetooth on your phone, making it visible to the car. Then, put your car into Bluetooth-pairing mode. The method varies depending on whether your car is an older model, often requiring a series of button presses, or a newer model, which usually involves navigating the in-dash touchscreen display.

Once your car detects your phone, it may ask for a numeric code that you'll need to confirm or input on your phone. After entering the code, the devices should be paired. Be aware that both your car and phone will only remain in pairing mode for a limited time, usually a few minutes. If you exceed this time, you'll need to restart the pairing process.

4. Make sure the two devices are in close enough proximity to one another

While you wouldn’t think someone might try to pair an iPad with a keyboard if the two weren’t sitting right next to each other, to be clear, you should make sure any devices you're trying to pair are within five feet of one another.

5. Power Bluetooth off and back on

A soft reset of Bluetooth can sometimes resolve an issue. With phones, an easy way to do this is by going into and out of airplane mode. For other devices, turn off the power and restart them.

6. Manage old Bluetooth connections

Bluetooth accessories can actively pair with between one and three devices simultaneously. However, they can store pairing information for several more devices, often up to eight, facilitating easy reconnection.

These accessories typically reconnect automatically to the most recently connected device. If you're experiencing issues with pairing, it might be due to the accessory being connected to another device. For example, if your Bluetooth speaker is registered to connect with your phone, tablet, laptop, and media player, it cannot maintain a connection with all four at once. If you encounter pairing issues, check which device or devices are currently connected and disconnect one to pair with a new device.

When a Bluetooth accessory reaches its limit for stored connections, it may either drop an old device from its memory or refuse to enter pairing mode. In the latter case, you might need to 'forget' the accessory from one of your currently paired devices or perform a reset.

If you're unable to pair a new device, consider two solutions: either make one of your existing devices 'forget' the accessory to free up a spot, or reset the accessory to clear all existing pairings. You can find specific reset instructions by searching for 'reset [device name].'

7. Charge up both devices you're trying to pair

Some devices have smart power management that may turn off Bluetooth if the battery level is too low. If your phone or tablet isn't pairing, make sure it and the device you're trying to pair with have enough juice.

8. Delete a device from a phone and rediscover it

If your phone sees a device but isn’t receiving data from it, sometimes it helps to start from scratch. In iOS settings, you can remove a device by tapping on its name and then Forget this Device. In Android settings, tap on a device’s name, then Unpair.

If you're deleting the device from your car, you may need to turn off your car after deleting the device, open and close the car door, and wait a couple of minutes before trying to pair the device again.

9. Move away from the WiFi router

Another potential obstacle to successful pairing is interference from devices that use the same 2.4GHz spectrum, such as your WiFi router. WiFi has been designed to cope with this, but it might not be a good idea to have your devices next to your router.

10. Move away from your smart home devices

Some smart home devices use a wireless technology called Zigbee. You find Zigbee in smart home hubs, including Amazon's Echo Show and Samsung's SmartThings Station, as well as a wide range of smart door locks, light bulbs, in-wall switches, open/close sensors, plugs, and more. Like WiFi, Zigbee devices use the same spectrum as Bluetooth devices and can interfere with pairing. Move away from your Zigbee devices when attempting to pair.

11. Move away from your laptop's USB 3.0 or USB-C port

Some USB 3 and USB-C devices generate frequencies in the 2.4GHz range, which can interfere with Bluetooth. Since this is a wired connection, the frequency leakage usually occurs at the ports. However, poorly shielded cables can also be a problem. So, if you're trying to pair Bluetooth gadgets or use them near your computer, try moving them away from your computer, or at least away from plugged-in USB devices.

12. Download a driver

If you’re having problems pairing something with your computer, you might be lacking the correct driver. The simplest way to figure this out is to do an online search for "[product name] driver." If there's an updated driver available, download and install it and see if that fixes the problem.

13. Update the hardware’s firmware

Some automotive audio systems are known to not pair with newer phones because the Bluetooth drivers in these systems didn’t work with later versions of Bluetooth. Updating your vehicle's firmware may fix the issue. If you’re not sure how to get the latest firmware for your car, check with the manufacturer.

14. Remove your Bluetooth device and start fresh

If you're having trouble connecting or experiencing a spotty connection, clearing your Bluetooth cache can resolve these issues by removing outdated or corrupt connection data. You can do this by removing your problematic registered Bluetooth gadget(s), restarting your main device, and then re-pairing.

To remove a device or accessory, follow these steps:

For iOS and iPadOS, select the info icon ('i' in a circle) to access the option to 'Forget this device.'
For Android phones, select the device and then select 'Unpair' or 'Forget.'
For Windows computers, click on the triple dots next to the gadget and select 'Remove device.'
For Macs, hover your mouse over the device you want to remove and then click on 'Disconnect' or the 'X' button to remove it.

Once you have removed the unwanted or malfunctioning gadget, restart your main device to clear the Bluetooth cache. Now you can re-pair.

Solving problems with Bluetooth multipoint pairing

Multipoint is a Bluetooth technology allowing a device to be actively paired with more than one device simultaneously. This means, for example, your headphones could be paired with both a phone and a laptop at the same time.

If you’re having issues with setting up a multipoint connection, the first thing to do is double-check that your device supports multipoint by searching for '[product name] multipoint Bluetooth' or consulting your product’s manual. Once you’ve confirmed that your device supports multipoint, follow these steps.

Adding a second device to a multipoint product

There's no standard way manufacturers use to handle multipoint connections. But these are the basic steps for most products.

Pair with the first main device the way you would with a single-point Bluetooth device. (If you’re having trouble pairing your first device, consult the list of tips above.)
Leave the first device turned on and pair it with the second one. You'll need to put your headphones or speaker into pairing mode to do this.
Once you have successfully paired with the second main device, you may be simultaneously connected with both main devices. Some manufacturers have you take the additional step of going back to the first main device and reconnecting before allowing simultaneous connections.

Other products (like the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds, and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds) require installing an app and turning on the ability to connect two devices before you can connect with a second main device for multipoint use.

Troubleshooting multipoint connection issues:

Multipoint devices typically connect to two or three devices simultaneously but can store many more connections. If you're having trouble, follow these steps:

Using an App: If your device uses an app for multipoint connections, open the app and toggle on the two devices you want to connect simultaneously.
Without an App: If you don't use an app, reconnect the main device that has lost its connection. In the Bluetooth settings of the second device, select it from the list of registered devices to reconnect.

Final thoughts

Bluetooth technology, while incredibly useful, can sometimes present challenges in pairing devices. Understanding the basics of how Bluetooth works, recognizing common pairing issues, and following straightforward troubleshooting steps can significantly ease the process. Whether you're trying to connect headphones, keyboards, or any Bluetooth-compatible device, remember these tips for a smoother experience.

[Image credits: Bluetooth headphones with phone via BigStockPhoto]

For the past 20+ years, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Prior to Techlicious, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the Senior Technology Editor for Popular Science. Suzanne has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.

Topics

Phones and Mobile, Computers and Software, Phone Accessories, Tips & How-Tos

Discussion

From yhurmmy on February 03, 2014 :: 3:25 am

had klipsch kmc3 speaker and it has been working perfect,but all of a sudden the bluetooth stop working ,cant pair with it any longer .

From Henrique on February 07, 2014 :: 1:51 pm

I have a Dual Sim fone Samsumg GT-C 3752, that I pair ro my car’s stereo Medianav.
Most of the times I’m able to pair them, but the connection will sometime break, might take a few or several minutes.
Why is this happening?
With my girfriend’s Nokia phone connection with Medianav never breaks… So I then know that it’s everything OK with the car’s stereo.

From shalem simon on February 14, 2014 :: 11:22 am

I have Samsung gt-i8552 & Sony xperia
C2305 bt, both pairing each other, I can send file sony to Samsung and receive but i m no abel to send Samsung to Sony…

From Moses on November 25, 2014 :: 12:59 pm

Hae
I av a similar problem my phone Huawei Y-210 pairs BT does not connect which means i cannot receive or send files.

From Quinton on December 27, 2017 :: 3:49 pm

Try to delete all the peir on ya device,,if not then you can go in play media and stall a new BT,the software either hardware of your Bluetooth its too wik.

From Johnsin Wak on October 26, 2021 :: 2:27 am

Fail to on Bluetooth

From Imran on November 08, 2021 :: 1:58 am

Sar help me connect Bluetooth in home theater

From farhad on February 14, 2014 :: 11:34 am

hi dear
Bluetooth phone is turned on and discover is checked but can not detect other phones
and other phone can not detect this phone
please help me - thanks

From Ahmed on March 30, 2014 :: 8:47 pm

How can I set my Xperia z1 to detect other blutooth nearby

From Brandy Crisp Bates on December 07, 2019 :: 6:57 am

Hey did you ever get your phone to pair? I have the same phone and haven’t had any trouble until today. I can’t get it to pair for nothing.

From Lito V on March 05, 2014 :: 11:42 pm

Samsung Galaxy Core won’t play when connected to Bose Soundlink mini, Phone states: “Connected” but the player stays at 00:00 seconds and don’t play at all. any advice? Do I need to DL new drivers?

From Suzanne Kantra on March 06, 2014 :: 10:33 am

If it’s connected, it’s not a Bluetooth profile problem. Is the Soundlink connected to any other device? If so, make sure it’s disconnected. If not, I’d “forget” the Soundlink on your Core and then repair with the SoundLink.

From Lito V on March 06, 2014 :: 8:07 pm

yes it’s connected says the Core but the player wont move forward it’s as if its on PAUSE, I tried to connect to my Onkyo receiver with bluetooth its just the same thing. I turned off every other bluetooth around, as you see my iphone, sony ericsson and the galaxy tab and samsung dous worked well with both Onkyo Receiver and the Bose speaker. It could only be the Core’s problem, I tried googlin around and I found out that core has vers.4 bluetooth while the others has Vers.3 could this be the answer to all of these?

From Suzanne Kantra on March 07, 2014 :: 9:50 am

Bluetooth 4 vs. Bluetooth 3 isn’t the issue. What app are you using to play audio and is it the same app you’re using on your other Bluetooth devices?

From Lito V on March 07, 2014 :: 9:54 pm

The app im using is winamp and PowerAmp so as the built in players, it all work fine with the other phones and tabs only the core wont play

From Dave Price on March 11, 2014 :: 4:05 am

My wife and I each have bluetooth headsets in our motorcycle helmets and want to connect to a Samsung tablet to listen to music as well as for use as an intercom. The instructions say only one can connect at a time. Is there any way around this?

From Suzanne Kantra on April 10, 2014 :: 12:45 pm

I know that there are speakers that can simultaneously pair to a device. That type of support, though, is something that the speaker manufacturer implements. So in your case, the helmet manufacturer would have to implement it. If you haven’t asked the helmet manufacturer already, that would be my first step.

From Gary A on March 17, 2014 :: 12:44 pm

I have a 2008 BMW X5 and a Samsung Galaxy S3 cell phone. I can pair the audio from the phone but I am not able to pair the cell phone’s contact list. A popup screen comes up on the phone asking if I want to pair the contacts. I tap OK, the screen goes away and momentarily comes back with the same popup screen asking if I want to pair the contacts. I am not able to get my contacts to pair with my vehicle’s bluetooth,

From Robert Mandell on February 12, 2016 :: 2:10 pm

Bluetooth and phone sporadically connect in car. When it connects I can hear person calling. However they cannot hear me.

From Peter on March 17, 2014 :: 3:37 pm

Having made many attempts to pair phone and car( both new) only 17 of the 49 contacts have been paired. Even the garage and shop cannot understand why

From Elliot on March 22, 2014 :: 2:14 am

I recently bought a Razr M phone and it won’t sync with my Sony BT Mex 3100 car stereo. Have you heard of any problems between the two syncing?

From kandyce on February 02, 2017 :: 2:45 pm

How would you know if it would work? have u tryed it yet?

From Ajith Silva on March 28, 2014 :: 7:07 am

Can anyone help find a Bluetooth Headset that support for a Samsung Galaxy S3 and Windows 7?

From Josh Kirschner on March 28, 2014 :: 7:38 am

Our top pick, the Plantronics Voyager Legend, should work fine with both a GS3 and Windows 7. You can read our review here: https://www.techlicious.com/review/the-best-bluetooth-headset/

From Ajith Silva on March 28, 2014 :: 7:47 am

Hi Josh,

Thanks for your quick reply. This is for one of my friends. I will let him know and come back to you if it works for him.

From ishan on April 10, 2014 :: 11:14 am

Hi. I am using sony xav70bt 2din player in my car. The problem with this is while using as a BT phone, to make voice calls, after disconnecting call it hangs. It shows incoming call / with held messages on screen and a call dial animation though call is already disconnected in phone. Any solution for this. Device works properly with my non android mobile. Also, if call disconnects without answering there is no issues.

From Gaby on April 16, 2014 :: 5:28 am

I have a new 809T smartphone.
It identifies the car handsfree (comf_comp VT05a)but when trying to pair with it, I get the following message, even without being prompted to enter a PIN:
“Couldn’t pair with comf_comp VT05a because of an incorrect PIN or passkey.”
When tapping the handsfree tag on the phone in order to enter the handsfree menu, there is no menu.
The smartphone connects correctly to my laptop and when tapping the laptop tag I get a menu from which I can can cancel the connection.

I there any fix to this problem?
Thanks,
Gaby

From marita romine on April 17, 2014 :: 1:28 am

My old phone ino linger operational. It will not even turn on. I got a new phone but I cannot pair it to my Bluetooth because it is still paired to my old phone. Is there a way to clear or rest my Bluetooth without being able to even turn my old phone on. Help!

From Josh Kirschner on April 24, 2014 :: 6:28 am

All bluetooth devices have some sort of reset button that will “unpair” them. Check your user manual to find out where it is for your device. If you don’t still have the user manual, you can probably find it online with a Google search.

From jeremy on April 24, 2014 :: 5:05 am

I have aligned my recently purchased iphone to my BMW bluetooth. However all the numbers on the BMW screen have the word “mobile” in brackets and the voice instruction does not recognise my voice command - in fact answers in German when it is programmed to be English. Help!!

From Josh Kirschner on April 24, 2014 :: 6:37 am

Every device is unique when it comes to Bluetooth, so it is difficult to provide help for individual products/circumstances. I would call the BMW Genius line to see if they can sssist: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/GeniusApp.aspx

From Rockynrobyn on April 27, 2014 :: 3:18 pm

I have a new smartphone Linux LG and a new Ford escape SE 2014. The bluetooth is turned on but when trying to pair the two it says “no phone found”. I have tried everything possible that I know of. Any suggestions?

From Evelio Hoyo on May 10, 2014 :: 3:11 pm

Hi:
I have a GPS DVD in dash unit on my car that has Bluetooth function. I have a Galaxy S4 and when I pair it with my car unit the Bluetooth connection is fine.
When I receive or make a phone call using this way, I can listen to the person that is speaking with me very well, but that person can’t hear me at all.
I want to know what it is really happening and how to fix this issue, if somebody can help me I would appreciate a lot.
The unit in my car has a built-in microphone.
I know that my phone is good because I do the same Bluetooth at another car that has similar unit and there is no problem.

From Greg Payne on March 10, 2017 :: 5:21 pm

My skillcandy headphones theyll be working then after like 5 min they shut off when im listening to music. Then i have to repair them again

From Mark Hanna on June 20, 2014 :: 5:23 pm

I have had a Logitech K810 Bluetooth keyboard for awhile and it worked fine. Lately I have been unable to pair it with my laptop (Dell Vostro running Win7 64 bit). Sometimes it recognizes it and gives m a pairing code. It says it is connected but the icon is gray and cannot type. When I retried (several times) I don’t get a paring code, just failure message.

I bought a Microsoft Wedge and same problem. Initially it worked and now, nothing. No pairing code, just a failure message. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

From Josh Kirschner on June 21, 2014 :: 10:09 am

First, see if there is an updated BT driver from Dell that you can download and install. If not, try reinstalling your current BT driver, some people have said that helped fix their issue. You may need to shut down the BT processes (bttray and btstackserver)first.

If neither of those work, some Dell owners have had success installing an alternate BT driver from Dell (i.e., for another model). Hope that helps you out!

From Tycho on January 15, 2017 :: 11:32 am

Maybe try putting in a little usb dongle (from an bluetooth mouse?) the computer should install the drivers by himself.

From Michelle on July 24, 2014 :: 6:16 am

I have a Samsung Trend and have had it connected via bluetooth in my car for over a month with no problems. For no apparent reason, the vehicle couldn’t find the phone. I removed the phone from paired devices in the vehicle and tried to pair them. The Vehicle then detected the phone and I was given the option code to input to the phone but the phone keeps giving me the error message that it cannót pair with the vehicle. I have tried pairing the phone to my husbands car and it worked fine. Any suggestions?? Someone suggested that I may have erroneously instructed the phone to forget the vehicle pairing but I can’t find a remedy for this either.

From felix, jr. espinosa on October 06, 2014 :: 1:41 pm

for the past months i always play my favorite songs to my sony component trough my laptop via bluetooth and having no problem with it, but now it play anymore even if it already paired, but my other gadgets like cellphones can still play, only my laptop now is not able.. please give me some advise to adress my problem.. thank you and God bless..

From skris88 on August 01, 2014 :: 2:30 am

I have tried multiple mobile phones and all pair with my Nissan CONNECT car system for handsfree calls and Contact list access. These include Apple iPhone and Andriod phones from Lenovo, LG and even some China- and India-made no-name branded ones. But my two Samsungs do not. One is a Galaxy Y (witb a QWERTY keyboard - just like a Blackberry!), and the other a Galaxy Tab. Both are Android.

Nissan, of course, say it’s not their ICE unit issue (and I tend to agree with them).

Anyone from Samsung reading this blog who might have a solution?

Or is the solution “Don’t ever buy Samsung mobile phones”!

Cheers,
skris88

From skris88 on October 12, 2014 :: 12:34 am

Nissan still had no response to my problem, so I decided to think “Inside” The Box, Japanese car, Japanese phone? Got myself a Sony 6” Xperia T2 Ultra Dual SIM. Worked from first go, not a single hiccup since. Been 5 weeks now. Contact lists when added on my PC via Google Contacts appear on the car display with no drama.

All good now!

From Josh Kirschner on October 13, 2014 :: 8:39 am

That was a clever idea, but shame you should have to resort to that to get things working.

From skris88 on October 18, 2014 :: 1:16 am

Well it’s documented here and it means Samsung and Nissan both will pay a price in sales, I’m sure!

I cannot believe in 2014 Bluetooth still has problems. It’s just utter lack of customer care, that’s all. Once they’ve got your money, etc etc…

From james jenkins on July 05, 2016 :: 7:36 pm

my zte phone can find/pair/connect with lg tone pro 760 headphones, but can not even find my lg tone pro 800’s. lg and zte have no solution. any help? my moto e phone connects with both, no problems. zte phone finds every other bt around, but not lg 800’s.

From Adan on August 25, 2014 :: 8:15 pm

The tips in this article are useful for general pairing problems, although I found something more comprehensive over at http://www.bluetoothdoctor.com. This is worth a look if you have connection problems, it helped me.

From Tim Williams on October 02, 2014 :: 6:28 am

Hi,

I have two devices that I would like to communicate together but neither device has an interface to pair to the other. Is there anyway of pairing two devices without physically selecting the other device on one of the devices screens or interfaces?

Thanks!

From Janet Berry on October 02, 2014 :: 9:09 am

I had an older Motorola Gleam which paired and worked fine but this one looks like it’s paired but it doesnt connect to the car. I’ve tried unpairing and starting again but it still doesn’t work - any ideas how I can fix the issue?

From ron harvey on October 10, 2014 :: 9:53 am

my new htc mini 2 pairs with my car but does not show names along side tel.nos

From George Howell JR on October 12, 2014 :: 5:24 pm

I have a ZTE valet phone. when I try to connect by Bluetooth I get a incorrect pin or passkey. I tried about everything I can to get it to pair with it

From Suzanne Kantra on November 03, 2014 :: 3:28 pm

The most common Bluetooth passkeys are 0000 and 1234. If neither of these work, you’ll need to consult the manual of the device you’re trying to pair with your ZTE Valet phone. Hope this works!

From Kia on July 01, 2015 :: 10:53 am

Cannot get my Everlast EV 6816 model Wireless HeadPhones to pair up with my Metro PCS ZTE Zmax 970 cellphone :0( Help PlZ!

From stephanie on September 16, 2016 :: 3:56 pm

Where do I put in the PIN/passkey? Mine doesnt appear to give me an option to do this. I have an HTC One I am trying to pair with a set of polaroid earbuds

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