The headphones don't turn on (LinkBuds S)

1. Select your problem:

   One earbud does turn on, but the other one doesn't.

   
   Go to step 2.

   Neither side of the earbuds turns on.

   
   Go to step 4.

2. Check if the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa is set to the headphones.
   Note: When the Service Link feature is turned on using the Sony | Headphones Connect app, only the Right side can be used by itself.

   Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa is enabled.

   Go to step 3.

   These functions are not enabled, or you don't know if they are.

   Go to step 4.

3. Make sure the touch sensor control function or Voice Assistant function is set according to the way you use the earbuds:

   When these functions are enabled, only the side with the touch sensor control function set to Playback control can be used by itself.

   • If you want to use one side of the earbuds by itself: Follow these steps to set the touch sensor control function of the desired side to Playback control:
     1. Open the Sony | Headphones Connect app.
     2. In the System tab, select (Settings) next to the Change the touch sensor function menu.
        
     3. Select the side you want to use by itself, either L (Left) or R (Right), and set the Function to Playback control.
        

     Note: When you assign Playback control to both sides, full functionality is only available on the Right side.

   • If you want to use either earbuds by itself: Set the Voice Assistant function to Voice Assist Function of Mobile Device. With this setting, either side of the headphones can be used alone.
     1. Open the Sony | Headphones Connect app.
     2. Tap  (expand) next to Voice Assist Function of Mobile device.
     3. Tap Voice Assist Function of Mobile Device or Do not use.
        

   After changing the settings, the earbuds turn on.

   The settings prevented using them the way you wanted.

   The earbuds don't turn on.

   Go to step 4.

4. Clean the charging ports of the headphones, and check the indicator of the charging case.

   Clean the charging ports on the earbuds and charging case. Then check the indicator on the charging case. For details on how to clean the headphones, refer to the How to care for the headphones article.
   
   Note: Do not use compressed air to remove dust as this can cause dust to get into the microphone or sound outlet holes, leading to malfunction.

   The indicator lights up orange

   

   

   
   The earbuds are fully charged. Go to step 5.

   The indicator lights up in green or orange

   

   

   
   The abnormal temperature or some other issue prevented charging. Go to step 10.

   The indicator doesn't light up

   
   The remaining battery of the headphones is 1% or lower. Go to step 8.

5. Wear the earbuds and check if you can hear the voice guidance.

   I can hear the voice guidance from the earbuds.

   Go to step 6.

   I can't hear the voice guidance from the earbuds.

   Go to step 7.

6. Check the Bluetooth® settings to make sure that the earbuds are connected via Bluetooth, play music from the connected device, and check if you can hear the sound.

   I can hear the sound on the connected device.

   The issue has been resolved by charging or changing the settings.

   I can't hear the sound on the connected device.

   The earbuds may not be connected to the device. Refer to the appropriate article to establish a Bluetooth connection:

   • For Android™ phones: Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
   • For iPhones® phones: Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
   • For other devices: How to pair Bluetooth headphones with a Bluetooth source device

7. Check the Voice Guidance settings:
   1. Open the Sony | Headphones Connect app.
   2. In the System tab, check the Notification & Voice Guide setting.

   The Notification & Voice Guide is set to On.

   Go to step 9.

   The Notification & Voice Guide is set to Off.

   After setting it to On, go back to step 5.

8. Perform the following procedure, and check if the Linkbuds S turn on.
   1. Make sure that the ear fitting supporters are properly attached to the earbuds.
   2. Set the earbuds into the charging case, and start charging.
      Note: Make sure that the left and right headset units are inserted into the correct sides.
   3. Remove the earbuds from the charging case, and check if the indicator lights up in green or orange.

   The headphones turn on.

   The issue may have been caused by the way the ear fitting supporters were attached or placed into the charging case.

   The headphones don't turn on.

   Go to the next troubleshooting step.

9. Reset the Linkbuds S.

   Watch this video or refer to the Resetting the LinkBuds S page for instructions:
   

   The issue is resolved.

   The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the Linkbuds S.

   The issue isn't resolved.

   Go to the next troubleshooting step.

10. Initialize the LinkBuds S.
    Note: Initialization returns the LinkBuds S to the factory settings and all Bluetooth pairing information is deleted.

    Watch this video or refer to the Initializing the LinkBuds S to restore factory settings page for instructions:
    

    The issue is resolved.

    The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the LinkBuds S.

    The issue isn't resolved.

    The Linkbuds S may be malfunctioning and require repair.  Go to Product Repair. 

Go to the Headphones Troubleshooting Guide