aaamusic | On 22, Apr 2021

Bluetooth headphones have been around for a while, ever since 2004 to be exact, but somehow, regardless of the technology’s benefits, the public never took to it. Clearly, the problem was not with the technology itself, but with the fact that we weren’t ready to incorporate such an advancement in our lives. This time around, we intend to be as ready as can be to seize all the benefits that Bluetooth headphones have to offer. This article will teach you everything you need to know about the topic, from pairing a headset to troubleshooting the most common problems.

Before You Start Pairing

In order to guarantee a successful pairing process, there are a couple of things you need to take into account first. First, make sure your devices are fully charged. You don’t want either of them to suddenly shut down, especially since Bluetooth can quickly drain an old phone’s battery. Second, you’ll want to keep your headphones close to the device you intend to pair them with to ensure a strong connection. Third, adjust the audio level on both your device and the headphones. Too low of a volume won’t allow you to hear anything, and a sudden spike in volume can harm your hearing. Last but not least, turn on your Bluetooth. You’d be surprised how many people think they’ve got it turned on before they realize that’s not the case. 

How to Pair Properly

Now that you’ve preempted a few potential causes for the pairing process failing, you can head to “Settings” on your device, or “System Preferences,” if you’re using an Apple computer, then go to “Devices” for Windows users or “Bluetooth” for Mac users. For some headphone brands, you might need to install the brand’s software/app to help you connect. If you have a pair of Bose headphones, this Bose headphones tutorial can help you connect without external software. Once your Bluetooth is on and your headphone is in pairing mode, start looking for your device’s brand and model in the device list. When you find it, click or tap, “pair” or “connect.” In most cases, your headphones will connect right away, but some models require a code to confirm the pairing (to avoid connecting to a foreign device by accident). In this case, type “0000” or “1234” if the former doesn’t work. You can find all the details regarding a confirmation code in your product’s instructions manual.

Why Pairings Fail

One of the most common reasons for a pairing failure is forgetting to disconnect a headset from a previous device before pairing it with a new device. Another problem is having connected the headset to too many devices in the past that its device list is full. If you reset your headphones, then try and reconnect, the devices will pair just fine. The third, and the most annoying issue is when you can see the headphones on your device’s list, but can’t pair with it. If so, click, “Forget Device,” then try resetting/restarting both devices. Usually, this fixes the problem right away.

Common Audio Problems

After you have successfully paired your devices, you’ll be able to enjoy an unmatched listening experience. However, just like you might only hear sound in one ear when using a wired headset, issues can possibly arise with wireless headsets, too. The first common problem is an audio delay where the sound fails to catch up with the video speed. Among possible causes is having incompatible devices. A Bluetooth 5.0 headset is designed to be backward-compatible with previous Bluetooth versions, but this means your connection’s quality will also downgrade to the lower version your device is using. An easy fix is making sure you’re buying compatible devices. The second problem, audio distortion, could be due to the presence of interfering signals. Try pairing your headset again and bringing it closer to your device to strengthen the connection. If you’re sitting next to a router, change where you’re sitting.

As strange as it is, the future is quite promising. Nowadays, we are witnessing the birth of wireless technology, something we thought impossible and inapplicable a couple of decades ago. Bluetooth headphones are a huge step from where we were, tied to our devices by a short headphone cord, hands, and arms permanently held at a 90-degree angle to keep the cord from stretching. Unlike the Greek Titan Atlas plagued by holding the weight of the world, we needn’t stay stuck under the burden of a short cord. The solution is Bluetooth and now you know how to adapt to the new technology.