If you’re asking, “why do my wireless headphones keep disconnecting?” you’re probably frustrated trying to figure out the issue. The good news is that you can troubleshoot the problem easily and, most of the time, find a fix quickly. The best headphones can still have connection issues, so it’s good to know what to look for.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Low batteries are often the culprit when it comes to wireless connection problems.
- Make sure both your headphones and your connecting device have up-to-date software and drivers and that they’re officially supported and compatible with each other.
- The effective range for Bluetooth headphones usually isn’t more than 20 feet, though Bluetooth itself is rated for 30 feet. Other wireless connections can vary.
While looking into it, you might want to look into connection issues with Bluetooth headphones. If you’re in the market for a new pair, you could also read about the pros and cons of open-back headphones.
Why Do My Bluetooth Headphones Keep Disconnecting?
Whether you’re using a pair of Bluetooth headphones or another wireless headphone type, there are only a handful of common issues that could be causing them to disconnect. Most of them are very easy to check, and more often than not, they’re not serious or permanent.
Low Battery
In general, wireless headphones use a permanent and rechargeable battery instead of replaceable ones, and they need to be charged regularly. Luckily, if this is your issue, it’s probably the easiest to fix since it simply involves plugging into a power source. However, it’s good to keep in mind that one issue with built-in rechargeable batteries is that the total charge they’re capable of holding will diminish over time with heavy use.
Insider Tip
A low battery is one of the most common sources of wireless headphone connection issues and should be one of the first things to check.
Quality of Headphones
Like with many other products, when it comes to wireless headphones, you get what you pay for. While some inexpensive but high-quality Bluetooth and other wireless models are available on the market, many such headphones are prone to issues like poor range, buggy software, cheap builds, and more. So, be sure to compare wireless vs wired headphones before making a buying decision.
Out of Range
If you’re moving around a lot while using your wireless headphones and you start having disconnect issues, there’s a good chance you’re getting close to or going in and out of your model’s useable range or the maximum distance from your device over which the headphones can maintain a connection.
For Bluetooth headphones, this is usually around 20 feet effectively, although Bluetooth is generally rated as having a 30-foot range. Other kinds of wireless headphones may have a bigger or smaller range. Check a user’s manual to confirm what it is.
Device Compatibility
Another common issue with wireless headphones is their compatibility with the device they’re being used with or vice versa. If the device (a smartphone, tablet, etc.) is a lot older than your headphones, a WiFi or Bluetooth signal may not be able to be passed between the two reliably.
Sometimes you can fix this by upgrading software on either end, but it’s not always possible, especially if the headphones are the older item in question.
Signal Interference
It’s less often the case, but sometimes wireless devices can have trouble maintaining a connection to another device if multiple wireless devices are active and in range. These can be anything from another pc/laptop/mobile phone to even cordless phones and radios.
If you’re unsure what the issue is, you might try taking both your headphones and the connecting device somewhere where you know there aren’t any other devices present that could cause interference.
Warning
It’s not uncommon for wireless headphones to frequently disconnect if they’re being used around many other connected devices.
F.A.Q.S
Why do I hear static noise on my headphones?
This can happen for a few reasons with wireless headphones, especially if you’re using Bluetooth or another dongle to connect to a device. Causes could include the wrong audio settings on the connecting device, aux port issues, and interference from other devices.
Why do my Bluetooth headphones have stuttering audio?
Usually, when this happens, it’s due to an app or other software due for an update or otherwise not officially supported. Check to make sure nothing on either your headphones’ or device’s end needs updating.
What if I’ve tried every fix, but I’m still having connection issues?
If you’ve tried every suggested fix for your headphones and are still having problems, it could be a firmware or driver issue. Sometimes this merely requires an update, but since the firmware is the intermediary between hardware and software, sometimes there are basic compatibility issues that can’t be fixed.
STAT: Batteries have a longer lifespan if they’re generally not fully charged to 100%. (source)
