Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?

You’re jogging through the park on a Sunday afternoon, listening to your favorite playlist with your Beats®. Suddenly, the music shuts off, and all you hear is silence. You stop mid-stride and reconnect your earbuds, but it happens again several minutes later. You think to yourself, "Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?"

Asurion Experts keep your home tech working smoothly. Whether you need advice on the best noise-canceling headphones or a quick fix for headphones that don't connect to a laptop, count on us for a simple solution. 

Common reasons Beats headphones keep disconnecting

Why do my Beats keep disconnecting and reconnecting? It’s likely due to one of the following reasons.

Bluetooth interference or range issues

Beats rely on Bluetooth® for a wireless connection. However, the signal only goes so far—33 feet for most headsets and earbuds. Conflicts with other electronics using the Bluetooth protocol can also interfere with connection stability. 

Low battery or charging problems

Uncharged Beats may struggle to hold a connection. While battery life varies by model, most Beats earbuds provide between 12 and 36 hours of playback time. 

Outdated firmware

Beats occasionally releases hardware updates to patch issues in its products. Installing available updates may resolve connection issues.

Device compatibility issues

Beats work with Android™, Apple® iOS, and other consumer electronics that support Bluetooth connectivity. Devices that don’t have Bluetooth can’t connect with Beats.

Faulty hardware

Beats aren’t invincible. Drops or exposure to liquids can damage their internal components and cause them to stop working properly.

How to solve Beats disconnection issues

If your Beats keep disconnecting or dropping audio, try these steps to get them working smoothly again.

1. Check the battery level

Confirm that your Beats have power and are not in need of charging. If necessary, plug in the charging case to a power source and place the Beats inside to charge. 

2. Move closer to the connected device

If you suspect a Bluetooth range or interference issue, get closer to the connected device. Walls and other electronics with enabled Bluetooth can shorten the range capabilities of Beats.

3. Disconnect and reconnect Bluetooth

Turn Bluetooth off on the connected device. Wait up to 30 seconds before turning it back on and reconnecting the Beats.

4. Forget and re-pair your Beats

Open the Bluetooth settings on the connected device and select the option to forget or unpair the Beats. Use the settings menu to re-pair the Beats and your device.

5. Restart the Beats and your device

Restart Beats headphones by pressing and holding the Power button until they shut off. Press it again to turn them back on. 

Wireless Beats earbuds restart after you place them in the charging case and take them back out again.

6. Update Beats firmware

Beats receive automatic firmware updates when plugged in and in range of a connected Apple or Android device. Android users can manually install available updates with these steps:

1. Open the Beats app.
2. Below the Under the Hood heading, locate the Firmware version number.
3. Tap Update and follow the prompts. 

7. Try the Beats with another device

Pair the Beats with another compatible smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled device. Test the audio to see if issues continue. If the connection works smoothly, there may be a problem with your normal device. 

8. Reset the Beats

A quick reset can clear out temporary bugs or glitches that cause your Beats to randomly disconnect. The steps for resetting vary depending on the type of Beats earbuds or headphones you have. 

Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds +, Powerbeats Pro 2

1. Put both earbuds in the charging case. Leave the case open.
2. Press and hold the System button on the case for 15 seconds.
3. Release the button when the light flashes.

Beats Flex

1. Press and hold the Volume and Power buttons simultaneously.
2. Release both buttons when the light on the right control module flashes. 

Beats Solo 4

1. Press the Volume Down button and the Power button for 10 seconds.
2. Release both buttons when the light flashes red and white.

Beats Studio Pro

1. Press and hold the System button for 10 seconds.
2. Wait for the LED lights to stop flashing. Your device will automatically turn on.

Beats Solo Buds

1. Put both earbuds in the charging case. Leave the case open.
2. Press and hold the button above the Beats logo on both earbuds for 10 seconds.

Still having connection issues?

Try checking for software updates on your phone, tablet, computer, or any other device connected to your Beats. Updates often include fixes for Bluetooth problems.

Some people find that turning off Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio or Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) can help. These are newer features that improve sound quality, but they may cause issues on some devices. To see if your device uses LE Audio or AAC—and how to turn them off—check the user manual for instructions.