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Top 6 Reasons Bluetooth Won't Connect

Phone won't connect? Headphones giving you grief? Don't despair!

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 8, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Connected Car Tech Android Auto Apple CarPlay Navigation When Bluetooth doesn't connect, it can be frustrating. Whether you're having problems using Bluetooth in your car, at home, or somewhere else, the good news is that it can almost always be fixed. Information in this article applies to most Bluetooth-enabled devices, including Bluetooth car stereos and Bluetooth headsets.

The Most Likely Reasons Bluetooth Won t Connect

When you can't pair a Bluetooth headset to your phone or Bluetooth car kit, there are several potential causes. These problems range from compatibility issues to interference from other devices. Before you investigate further, it's always a good idea to restart your device. If it's still acting up, here are some likely culprits. 01 of 06

Incompatible Bluetooth Versions

Eric Raptosh Photography / Blend Images / Getty Images While Bluetooth is supposed to be universal, devices that employ different versions of the standard can sometimes conflict. Even though there's a chance your head unit uses an older version of Bluetooth than your phone, both devices should still work together in most circumstances. A notable exception is when one device uses something called Bluetooth Smart. These devices can only pair with devices that are Bluetooth Smart-compatible. If you have two devices that refuse to connect, do some research to determine whether those devices are compatible. 02 of 06

Bluetooth Devices Are Too Far Apart

Zoovroo / CC By 2.0 / Flickr Bluetooth devices typically remain paired at distances of about 30 feet, although with increasingly poor functionality, depending on obstructions. These devices work better when closer together, but proximity is particularly important when it comes to pairing Bluetooth devices. If your devices refuse to connect, remove any obstructions between the two devices. Once you pair your phone with your car via Bluetooth, it should remain connected when you put it in your pocket, backpack, or car phone holder. The 5 Best Car Phone Holders of 2022 03 of 06

Insufficient Battery Power

If you used Bluetooth on your phone before, you might have noticed that it can use a lot of electricity and cut down on your operational battery life when it's active. For this reason, some devices enter a power-saving mode when battery life is low, which shuts off Bluetooth. You might be able to turn Bluetooth back on manually, or you may find that charging your devices is the only way to get them to pair correctly. In any case, it's a good practice to make sure your devices are fully charged or plugged into a power source if you have trouble getting both to connect. 04 of 06

Bluetooth Is Disabled on Your Device

Wachiwit / Getty Images If Bluetooth isn't working on your Windows 10 PC, it could be disabled in the system settings. The same issue can cause Bluetooth problems on Macs. Likewise, if Bluetooth isn't working on your iPhone or Android device, check the settings to make sure Bluetooth is enabled. 05 of 06

Devices Are Not in Pairing Mode

Marshall Headphones When you pair your phone to another device, make sure the phone's Bluetooth is on and that the accessory device is in pairing mode. For devices with a single multi-function button, this usually involves powering down the device and then powering it on with a long press until it enters pairing mode. If the device has an LED, it typically flashes blue and red when in this mode. When pairing a phone to a head unit, you typically make one or both devices discoverable, depending on how each one is set up. If your devices are set as discoverable, and you still can't see one device from the other, you may be dealing with a Bluetooth compatibility issue. 06 of 06

Outside Signal Interference

ML Harris / The Image Bank / Getty Images Although you're more likely to run into Wi-Fi interference in your home or office, public Wi-Fi networks and hotspots can interfere with the Bluetooth in your car as well. If you use a mobile hotspot in your car, switch it off. You may be able to turn it back on without any issue once the devices have paired. USB 3.0 connections can spit out interference in the same 2.4 GHz spectrum used by Bluetooth devices. The issue is related to poor shielding, and you're more likely to run into this problem in your home or office than in your car. That said, if your laptop uses USB 3.0 and is sitting in the passenger seat, look at it as a potential source of interference. Essentially any electronic device that bleeds into the 2.4 GHz spectrum can interfere with the pairing and operation of Bluetooth devices. If possible, pair your devices in a different location. For internal Bluetooth devices in cars, pair with the vehicle turned off or with accessories like car power inverters unplugged. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Add Bluetooth to Your Computer How to Connect a Mouse and Keyboard to Steam Deck 6 Ways to Fix It When AirPods Won't Connect or Go Into Pairing Mode How to Fix It When Windows 10 Bluetooth Is Not Working How to Pair a Phone With Your Car How to Fix It When Your Fire Stick Remote Is Not Working How to Turn on Bluetooth on a Mac How to Connect AirPods to Kindle Fire How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync How to Fix It When a Tablet Won’t Connect to a Mobile Hotspot How to Set Up a Bluetooth Device on a PC How to Play iPhone Music Over Bluetooth How to Fix It When Windows 11 Bluetooth Is Not Working iPhone Bluetooth Not Working? Try These Fixes How to Pair a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone How to Add Bluetooth Adapter to Your TV Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies