Sony SupportWF-1000XM4

Article ID : 00279500 / Last Modified : 06/28/2023Print

The headphones won't pair with the device or won't connect with the device once paired (LinkBuds S)

    Follow these steps to troubleshoot Bluetooth® pairing issues with the LinkBuds S.

    Before you start

    If you have paired the headphones with multiple devices before and now cannot connect with one of those devices, refer to the article Unable to connect the headphones or speaker to a device when I have paired it with multiple devices.

    Solution

    Note: When pairing the LinkBuds S to a second or subsequent device, the charging case lid must remain open during the pairing process.

    1. Check the status of the indicator when you place both (left and right) earbuds in the charging case and open/close the lid.

      The indicator lights up in green or orange

      The headphones are fully charged. Go to the next troubleshooting step.
      The indicator does not light up

      The remaining battery of the LinkBuds S is 1% or lower. Charge them and then pair them again.
    2. Perform the following steps with the LinkBuds S, and check if the pairing can be done successfully.
      1. Restart the device you are trying to pair.
      2. Delete the Bluetooth device information of your playback device.
      3. Pair the devices again.
        Refer to the appropriate article:
      The pairing can be successfully completed.
      There has been an issue connecting with the device, such as Bluetooth pairing being disconnected.
      The pairing fails.
      Go to the next step.

    3. If you have a different smartphone, Walkman, or another device, try to perform a Bluetooth pairing with the LinkBuds S and one of these other devices:

      Pairing can be done successfully.
      The playback device that was initially connected may be malfunctioning. Consult the manufacturer of the device.
      Pairing fails on these devices too.
      Go to the next step.

    4. For devices that have been connected with LE Audio in the past, turn off the Bluetooth setting:
      If any devices have ever connected with LE Audio, the headphones may automatically connect with the device when the headphones enter the pairing mode. If this is the case, turn off the Bluetooth setting on the connected device, and perform pairing with another device.

      Pairing can be done successfully.
      The headphones were connected to another device.
      Pairing fails on these devices too.
      Go to the next step.

    5. Reset the LinkBuds S.

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

      The pairing can be done successfully.
      A temporary malfunction of the headphones may have caused the issue.
      The pairing fails.
      Go to the next step.
    6. Initialize the LinkBuds S, and then pair the devices again.

      1. Initialize the headphones.
        Note: Initialization returns the headphones 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:

      2. Pair the devices again.
        Refer to the appropriate article: Note: If the LinkBuds S are not displayed in the connected device, remove the LinkBuds from the charging case once, then the LinkBuds will enter pairing mode again and be displayed in the device.
      The pairing can be done successfully.
      A temporary malfunction of the headphones may have caused the issue.
      The LinkBuds S may malfunction and require repair.  Go to Product Repair. .

    Go to the Headphones Troubleshooting Guide top page