Uh oh.

It looks like JavaScript is disabled in your browser. To get the full experience on Sony.co.uk, please change your settings to allow JavaScript.

Article ID : 00348176 / Last Modified : 01/11/2024

I cannot pair or connect my headphones and playback device (LinkBuds Open)

Applicable Products and Categories of This Article

Before you start

If you have paired the headphones with multiple devices before and can no longer connect with one of those devices, refer to this article: The headphones or speaker cannot connect with a desired device when I have paired with multiple devices.

Solution

Follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

Check the status of the indicator when you place both earbuds (left and right) 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 repeatedly flashes in orange and blue when the lid is opened

The software update is in progress. Wait until the update is complete.
The indicator does not light up

The remaining battery of the headphones is 1% or lower. Charge the headphones and, after charging is complete, try the pairing again.
Try the following procedure, 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.
  For details on how to delete the Bluetooth device information, refer to this article: How to delete the Bluetooth device information of your playback device.
3. Perform the pairing again.
  Refer to the appropriate article:
  - For Android: Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
  - For iPhones: Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
  - For computers and other devices: Refer to the appropriate section of the Help Guide
The pairing can be successfully completed.
There seems to have been an issue connecting with the device, such as Bluetooth pairing being disconnected.
The pairing fails.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
If you have a different smartphone, Walkman, or other device, try to perform a Bluetooth pairing with the headphones 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 also fails on these devices.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
For devices that have been connected with LE Audio in the past, turn off the Bluetooth setting:

If there are any devices that 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
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
Reset the headphones.

Refer to the How to reset or initialize the LinkBuds Open article or view the How to reset video below:

Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube

If your headphones model does not appear in the device list of the playback device, turn off the Bluetooth setting in the device and turn it on again, or leave the Bluetooth setting once and return to try the connection again.

The pairing can be done successfully.
The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the headphones.
The pairing fails.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
Initialise the headphones, and then try the pairing again.
1. Initialise the headphones.
  Initialisation returns the headphones to the factory settings and all Bluetooth pairing information is deleted.
  
  Refer to the How to reset or initialize the LinkBuds Open article or view the How to initialize video below:
  
  Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube
2. Perform pairing again.
  Refer to the appropriate article:
  - For Android: Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
  - For iPhones: Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
  - For computers and other devices: Refer to the appropriate section of the Help Guide
  Note: If the headphones are not displayed in the connected device, remove the headphones from the charging case once, then the headphones will enter pairing mode again and will appear in the device.
The pairing can be done successfully.
The issue may have been caused by a temporary malfunction of the headphones.
The pairing fails.
The headphones may have malfunctioned, and service may be required.