Why Sony Headphones Aren’t Connecting

Sony headphones make it easy to enjoy music and entertainment privately without any cables. However, if you’re having problems with your Sony headphones not connecting to the source device, you’ll want to read this guide all the way to the end.

If your Sony headphones aren’t connecting to the source, check that the headphones are fully charged and has updated firmware. The headphones must also be within range of the source it’s connecting to. On the source device, turn the Bluetooth off then back on again. Next, pair the headphones to the source again to renew the connection. That should help the two devices connect seamlessly again.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to troubleshoot your Sony headphones not connecting to a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone, and Sony TV.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Your Sony headphones can connect to many devices like smartphones, computers, and even televisions. So when facing connectivity problems with any of those devices, your first troubleshooting steps should focus on the headphones themselves.

Here are a few things about your Sony headphones you’ll want to check first:

• Paired and Connected: Sony headphones pair and connect to the source (e.g. your TV) with Bluetooth technology. ‘Pairing’ two Bluetooth devices allows them to work together, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are connected. So, Bluetooth is on for both devices. Then, check that your headphones are paired to the source before trying to connect.
• Discoverable: To pair your Sony headphones to a source device, you must first make it discoverable. To do this, remember the 7-second rule. While your Sony headphones are off, hold the Power or multifunction button for 7 seconds. When the light starts blinking, that means the headphones are discoverable and ready to pair and connect to the source.
• Range: Your Sony headphones can only connect to a source device while it is within range. That means the headphones will not connect if you’re too far away. So, move closer to the device and try to connect the headphones again.
• Battery: Sony headphones will only work correctly when the batteries still have enough charge in them. For best results, ensure that your headphones are fully charged before connecting them to a source device.
• Firmware: Firmware is the software installed in your Sony headphones to manage their functionality. Always ensure that your firmware is up-to-date to avoid any connectivity problems. You can do this through the Sony Headphones Connect mobile app.

Sony Headphones Not Connecting To Mac

If your Sony headphones are not connecting to your Mac, here are the troubleshooting steps you should follow:

• First, on your Mac, go to System Preferences.
• Next, go to Bluetooth. This menu allows you to control all Bluetooth connectivity issues on your Mac.
• Firstly, reset your Mac’s Bluetooth by turning it off and waiting a few seconds. Then, turn it back on again.
• After a few seconds, check the list of devices to see if your headphones are on it. The name listed will match the model number of your Sony headphones, e.g. WF-1000X.

If Your Sony Headphones Appear On That List

Suppose you see your headphones on your Mac’s list of Bluetooth devices, yet it still won’t connect. If that’s the case, press the x next to its name to delete it from the list.

Then, pair your headphones to your Mac once more.

If Your Sony Headphones Do Not Appear On That List

However, if you don’t see your headphones on that list, it’s possible that your Sony headphones were never paired to the Mac and are also not discoverable.

Hold the Power button on your headphones for 7 seconds. When the light blinks, you should see the name appear on that list. Click on the name to pair your headphones, then connect to it.

Sony Headphones Not Connecting To PC

Troubleshooting your Sony headphones when connecting to a Windows PC requires a slightly different approach.

Follow these steps:

• Click on the Start menu, then go to Settings. Next, go to Devices, and then to Bluetooth ; other devices.
• Turn the Bluetooth button off for a few seconds, then turn it back on. Doing so will refresh your Bluetooth and its list of paired devices.
• Check the list of devices for headphones with the same model number as that of your Sony headphones.

If Your Sony Headphones Appear On That List

Suppose your headphones appear on that list of devices, but they won’t connect no matter how many times you click on them. If that’s the case, unpair the Sony headphones by right-clicking on the name and clicking Remove.

Once you pair the headphones to your PC again, you should be able to connect as normal.

If Your Sony Headphones Do Not Appear On That List

When your Sony headphones don’t appear on that list, it’s likely because the headphones are off. So, turn them on and see if the name appears and says ‘connected’.

If your headphones are on but still won’t appear, that means they are not discoverable. While they are off, hold the Power button for 7 seconds to make them discoverable.

Then, click on your headphones to pair and connect them to your PC.

Sony Headphones Not Connecting To Laptop

The steps necessary to connect your Sony headphones to your laptop depend on the operating system installed on the device. Most laptops use either Windows or macOS as their operating systems, so the troubleshooting process will look similar to the steps mentioned above.

Here are the steps you will need to follow based on your laptop’s operating system.

Connecting Your Sony Headphones To A Windows Laptop

On your Windows laptop, go to the Start menu and go to Settings. Then, select Devices and go to Bluetooth ; Other Devices.

Once you’ve arrived at this menu, here’s what you’ll need to do:

• First, check that the Bluetooth option is turned on. If it is off, your laptop will not be able to connect to your Sony Headphones or any other Bluetooth device.
• That menu will show you a list of devices paired with your laptop. Find the one that corresponds to your Sony headphones, and right-click on it. Then, remove the headphones.
• After a few seconds, pair your headphones to the laptop again. Doing this task will reset the pairing of the two devices and get them to connect again like normal.

Connecting Sony Headphones To An Apple (macOS) Laptop

If you’re using an Apple laptop like a Macbook, here are the steps you will need to follow:

• Go to System Preferences and select Bluetooth.
• You can reset the Bluetooth adapter from this menu by turning it off for a few seconds before turning it back on.
• Your Sony headphones should appear on the list of devices. When it does, click on the X next to the name to unpair it from your laptop.
• Then, click on it again to establish a new pairing so the laptop and headphones can connect normally.

Sony Headphones Not Connecting To iPhone

iPhones are also an Apple product, but they rely on the iOS operating system instead. So, troubleshooting your Sony headphones’ connection to the iPhone will follow slightly different steps.

On the iPhone, here’s what you’ll have to do:

• Go to the phone’s Settings. Then, click on Bluetooth to access the necessary menu.
• From here, you can toggle the Bluetooth function off for a few seconds and then turn it back on to refresh it.
• Just below, you’ll see the words My Devices. Your Sony headphones should be listed underneath with the words Not Connected next to them.
• If the headphones fail to connect to your phone, click on the i in the circle next to the headphone’s name. From there, you can click on Forget This Device to unpair it from your phone entirely.
• Wait a few seconds until your headphones appear under the Other Devices list at the bottom of the same menu. When it does, click on the headphones to re-pair it to your iPhone. Doing this will also connect the two devices at the same time.

Sony Headphones Not Connecting To Samsung TV

Samsung TVs use the Android operating system, which means the interface is different from those mentioned above. 

Here’s how to ensure your Sony headphones can connect to the TV correctly:

• Firstly, use the remote to go to the Samsung TV’s settings. That will bring out the Menu with a long list of settings.
• Scroll down to the Network ; Accessories section, where you will find the Bluetooth Settings menu.
• There, you can switch the Bluetooth off for a while and then back on to refresh its connections.
• Next, look under the list of Registered Devices. Again, your headphones should appear on the list, represented by their model number. 
• If your Sony headphones don’t appear on that list, click on Add Device to pair the headphones again and renew their connection to the TV.Remember: hold the Power button on your Sony headphones to make them discoverable and ready to pair with your Samsung TV.