Why won’t my Android connect to my Bluetooth speaker?
Android devices can sometimes have issues pairing and connecting with Bluetooth devices like speakers, headphones, and cars. This can be frustrating when you can’t get your device to connect to play music or take calls. There are several potential causes of Android Bluetooth issues including software bugs, connectivity problems, incompatible devices, interference and more. In this guide, we’ll go through the most common troubleshooting tips to get your Android device paired and working properly with Bluetooth again.
Check Bluetooth Is On
The first step is to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Android device and the Bluetooth speaker. Here’s how to check Bluetooth is turned on:
On your Android phone or tablet:
- Open Settings and tap Connections (or Connected Devices on some devices).
- Make sure the toggle next to Bluetooth is switched on. It should appear blue when enabled.
On your Bluetooth speaker:
- Check for a Bluetooth button on your speaker. Toggle this on if available.
- Alternatively, check the user manual for your Bluetooth speaker for instructions to enable Bluetooth.
- Look for a blinking Bluetooth icon on your speaker that indicates it’s in pairing mode.
If Bluetooth is disabled on either device, turn it on then try reconnecting your Android to the speaker.
Update Software
Keeping your Android device’s operating system and apps up-to-date is one of the most important steps for maintaining a reliable Bluetooth connection. Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements to Bluetooth connectivity. According to experts, “Bluetooth software is constantly being refined by manufacturers. Installing the latest updates means your Bluetooth functionality will be running smoothly with the most recent optimizations” (Source).
On Android, open Settings and check for OS updates under System > System Update. Also check for app updates in the Play Store, focusing on apps that utilize Bluetooth like streaming music services, smartwatches, headphones, speakers, etc. Keeping core system software and Bluetooth apps fully updated provides the best chance for stable connectivity.
Forget and Re-Pair
One of the most common solutions is to forget the Bluetooth device on your Android phone or tablet and then re-pair it. Here’s how to do this:
First, open the Settings app and go to Connected devices > Bluetooth. Find the problematic Bluetooth device in the list and tap the settings icon next to it. Then tap “Forget” to remove the device from your Android’s memory.
Once you’ve forgotten the device, turn Bluetooth off and then back on again. Also reboot both the Android device and the Bluetooth speaker or headphones. This clears out any faulty connections and lets you start fresh.
Now attempt to pair the devices again as if it were the first time. Go to the Bluetooth menu in Settings, make sure the speaker/headphones are in pairing mode, then select the device name when it appears in the “Available devices” list.
Hopefully forgetting and re-pairing the Bluetooth device will solve any connection issues. If not, you may need to dig deeper into potential causes. But this simple fix works in many cases according to users on sites like Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting the network settings on your Android device can often resolve Bluetooth connectivity issues. This resets all network connections like Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth back to their factory default settings without deleting any data or apps (1).
To reset network settings on Android, open the Settings app and go to System > Advanced > Reset options > Reset network settings (2). You will be asked to confirm before proceeding. Once network settings are reset, you’ll need to reconnect to any Wi-Fi networks and re-pair any Bluetooth devices. This often solves problems with Bluetooth speakers not connecting properly to your Android phone.
Resetting network settings essentially gives the Bluetooth radio a fresh start, clearing out any corrupted settings that may be preventing a stable Bluetooth connection (3). It’s always worth trying before factory resetting your entire device or taking more drastic measures to fix Bluetooth issues.
Sources:
(1) https://www.androidauthority.com/reset-network-settings-android-3387066/
(2) https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/support/articles/SX670101
(3) https://www.androidpolice.com/reset-network-settings-android-ios/
Clear Cache Partition
One common solution for Bluetooth connectivity issues on Android devices is to clear the cache partition. This helps resolve software issues that may be preventing your phone from connecting properly with your Bluetooth speaker. Clearing the cache partition deletes temporary system files that can build up over time and cause performance problems.
According to Squareup, clearing the Bluetooth cache can often fix connection problems between your Android device and Bluetooth accessories. The cache stores data from previous Bluetooth pairings and connections. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or too large, leading to connectivity issues.
Clearing the entire cache partition essentially gives your Android device a fresh start, deleting problematic files that may be interfering with Bluetooth functionality. After wiping the cache partition, you can try re-pairing your speaker which often resolves many Bluetooth problems.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Toggling Airplane mode on and off can often fix Bluetooth connection issues by resetting the wireless radios. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile data. By turning on Airplane mode for 5-10 seconds and then turning it back off, you essentially restart and reconnect the wireless radios which can clear up any software bugs causing Bluetooth problems.
This quick reset will not delete any of your data or paired Bluetooth devices. It simply power cycles the connections. Try toggling Airplane mode on, waiting several seconds, and then toggling it back off. Then check if your Android device can now connect properly to your Bluetooth speaker.
If that doesn’t work, you can try a longer reset by leaving Airplane mode on for a minute or more before turning it back off. This gives the wireless components more time to fully discharge and reset.
Sources:
[https://support.ecompliance.com/hc/en-us/articles/212624078-Device-How-to-reset-your-Wi-Fi-or-Cellular-data-on-the-mobile-device-when-there-are-connection-issues-]
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel3/comments/qdgfeb/phone_wants_to_factory_reset_but_airplane_mode/]
Restart Devices
It may fix Bluetooth connectivity issues if you restart both the Android device and the Bluetooth speaker. Sometimes, background apps and processes can interfere with Bluetooth connections. Restarting will clear out any software issues.
Completely power down both devices by holding down their power buttons until they shut off. Don’t just restart them or put them to sleep – do a full reboot. After 30 seconds or so, turn both devices back on. This will clear out the RAM and reset all software and connections.
Then, go through the Bluetooth pairing process again. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the Android device first. Open the Bluetooth settings on the speaker and put it into pairing mode. The Android device should now be able to discover and connect to the speaker again.
A full restart of both the phone and speaker is like a reset of the connection. This will often resolve intermittent problems if Bluetooth has gotten corrupted or “confused”. Troublesome connections will typically work again after a reboot. If the issue persists though, there may be other underlying problems to troubleshoot.
Replace Battery
One potential cause of Bluetooth connection issues is a low battery. When the battery level drops too low, it can prevent Bluetooth from functioning properly. This applies to the battery in your Android device as well as the battery in the Bluetooth speaker or headphones you are trying to connect to.
For your Android device, make sure it is sufficiently charged. If the battery is drained, charge it up to at least 20-30% before trying to use Bluetooth again. Keeping your Android device charged above 30% as often as possible will help minimize Bluetooth problems.
Likewise, make sure the battery in your Bluetooth speaker or headphones is not depleted. Refer to the device’s manual on how to check its battery level. If the battery is low, charge the Bluetooth device fully before attempting to reconnect to your Android. Some Bluetooth devices will actually warn you about a low battery condition before shutting off.
If you find either your Android or the Bluetooth device routinely loses connection or fails to pair when the battery is low, the batteries may need to be replaced. Over time, batteries degrade and can no longer hold a full charge. Replace old, worn out batteries to maintain optimum Bluetooth performance.
Citations:
[1] (Low battery state can prevent Bluetooth from working)
Get Device Checked
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps and fixes mentioned above and your Android phone is still not connecting or pairing with your Bluetooth speaker or device, the issue may require professional servicing and inspection.
There could be an underlying hardware or software issue with your Android device that is preventing proper Bluetooth functionality. This is especially true if you’ve already tried basic fixes like restarting, resetting network settings, updating software, forgetting devices and repairing, etc.
At this point, it’s best to take your Android device into a phone repair shop and have a technician inspect it. The technician can run diagnostics, check hardware components like the Bluetooth radio, antennas, etc., and determine if any components need to be replaced or repaired.
Reaching out to the device manufacturer for troubleshooting advice or support is also recommended if still under warranty. The company’s support team may be able to identify software issues and push fixes if needed.
As a last resort, you may need to perform a factory reset on your Android device to fully clear out any problematic settings, caches, services, apps, etc. that could be interfering with Bluetooth operation. Just be sure to backup your data first.
With professional servicing and troubleshooting, the underlying cause preventing Bluetooth connections can usually be identified and corrected so you can resume normal usage of Bluetooth accessories.
