Having this type of accessories is the best way to enjoy the multimedia content of our mobile, either in the form of video or music. However, there are many problems that can arise along the way, since we currently have several methods to connect our headphones to the mobile, so connectivity problems multiply, depending on the system used: Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack or USB-C.
There are those who claim that the 3.5mm jack is doomed to extinction in smartphones of the near future. The majority of high-end terminals have eliminated it in terms of aesthetics and wireless connections. Sound purists still prefer a wired connection and, therefore, buy a premium mid-range before a high-end without a 3.5 jack. The advantages of a wired connection are usually in a greater sound stability that does not depend on the battery to function. Although, the other connections are positioning themselves on this old choice.
However, the most important issue is that all of them continue to give us different problems, especially when the smartphone does not detect them that we have just connected. But don’t worry, because it can be arranged.
Three connection methods: more trouble
Today’s smartphones coexist with three different methods to connect headphones : wired connection via 3.5mm jack, connection via Bluetooth or connection via USB-C.
However, this only implies one thing: the mobile does not detect the headphones. And it is that, in each of these methods, the same problem may arise, which is common to all mobile phones and the most frequent when we talk about problems with these accessories.
For this reason, we will give you a series of tips so that you can solve your problem with each of these options that we have available on practically any current smartphone. Also, at the end of everything, we will give you other alternative solutions that you can try for a phone. It will even work whatever the connection method you use for the helmets you use.
3.5mm jack failure
The lifelong wired method shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. But even once we make sure that they are well connected, if the audio does not sound and the mobile is unable to detect them, these will be the possible ways that you will have at your fingertips to end this connection failure.
Remove Bluetooth
It is one of the most common causes of non-detection of headphones. If we have the Bluetooth connected to an audio source, such as the car hands-free, it is possible that when connecting them, the sound will not be produced. This usually happens even if we have already moved away from the Bluetooth connection. It is possible that when the Bluetooth is removed the audio will start to sound.
Change them
It’s easy to have other wired headphones on hand to connect to the 3.5mm jack. The objective is to confirm or rule out that it is a problem with our helmets. If when testing, the mobile recognizes them and the audio takes place without problem, we will already know where the fault was.
Other tips that work
Not only will we have these solutions at our fingertips, but we will give you two more tips that you can quickly do to rule out if the failure has been something specific or is constantly repeated. So, try the following solution:
- Reinsert the helmets to ensure they are inserted correctly.
- Rotate the headphone jack slightly so that it makes good contact.
Problems with USB-C
It is something very common today, especially when the ability to connect through the 3.5mm jack has been lost. In this case, we extend all the previous tests, which are equally valid for the connection of headphones using this standard. However, a series of errors may always appear due to which the phone does not recognize the helmets through the USB-C port.
Audio compatible mobile
If nothing happens when connecting the USB-C headphones, we will have to check that the device uses USB-C digital audio. To do so, we will only have to consult the technical specifications of our terminal or consult the manufacturer directly. When it comes to audio transmission, there is a lack of universal integration of class 3 audio devices (USB ADC 3.0) which impairs the functionality of USB-C headphones.
Activate the option from the mobile
Unlike the 3.5mm jack whose detection is automatic, there are smartphones to which we will have to ‘ notify ‘ that we have connected headphones via USB-C . To do this, the audio option must be activated through the USB-C port. The best method is to type USB in the search drawer of the settings menu, as the path may vary slightly from model to model.
Disable USB routing
The ‘Disable USB audio routing’ option is used to disable or mute external headphones connected via USB-C. In case of having the box checked for whatever reason, it will undoubtedly be the cause of the problem. In addition, it is an option that is not visible, so it is normal for many users to go crazy before finding this option. To check it we will have to go to Settings / System and press several times on ‘Build number’. Now the options for developers will be activated and we will go down until we see the box. If it is activated we will have to turn it off and try again. If we already have the developer options activated, we can skip the previous step, or search directly for ‘routing’ in the search box of the Settings menu.
Errors with Bluetooth
The Bluetooth connection can also cause problems and make our mobile not detect the headphones or that they do not sound . In this case and since it is a wireless connection, we must try other methods to detect the problem. Some of the methods seen above can also give results like:
- Turn Bluetooth on or off.
- Try with others.
Clear network settings
Clearing network settings works many times. This causes any configuration to be restored and the settings are undone, which by mistake, could have caused the mobile not to recognize them. This setting is found under Settings / System / Reboot and reset, but it can also be found under Settings / Connections. We will not lose any data, but we will have to re-pair the Bluetooth device again.
Clear bluetooth cache
Another method that works is clearing the cache of the system’s Bluetooth application . To do this we enter Settings / Applications and once inside we click on ‘Show all’ and search for Bluetooth. Once inside, click on clearing the data and the cache. The next step is to restart the mobile and try again.
Check connected devices
If this option is set to ‘1’ and we already have another Bluetooth device connected, it will be the cause that we cannot connect them through this wireless connection. To clear up any doubts, we go to Settings> Connections> Bluetooth and touch on ‘ Number of connected devices’. If the value is one, we will try a higher number such as 3 or 5, to see if this way the problem disappears and we can connect the headphones correctly.
Change codec
Sometimes there may be compatibility problems between Bluetooth helmets and the configuration selected on our mobile. Within the options for developers we will find the option ‘Bluetooth audio codec’. It is about trying different options to the one selected by default to see if we find the right one and we can listen to the audio without problems.
Other solutions
After trying the previous solutions one by one, you will not have to lose hope. More than anything, because we will always have the following alternatives that we will explain below. Also, some of them will only take a few seconds. So, don’t be discouraged and try these tips on your phone.
Restart the mobile
This should be our first test to see if the problem is fixed. Restarting the mobile allows freeing the system cache thus eliminating compatibility problems. We will only have to press the power button and click on restart. Then we’ll reconnect them and test to see if the problem is gone.
Dirt in the port
The headphone jack is a fertile ground for the accumulation of dust and dirt. This can interfere with the correct contact of the helmets, and therefore, in their non-detection by our smartphone . In this case we must proceed to cleaning it, using a fine element such as a pin. With great care, we must drag out the lint and other external elements of dirt that may be found inside the 3.5mm jack. It’s amazing what I could get out of a ticket for this accessory.
Check the volume
This seems like a no-brainer should be one of our first tests. It is possible that the mobile audio, as regards the multimedia audio of the headphones, is disabled. To find out, we must start an audio source and raise the volume when it is playing. If it rings, we will already know the origin of the problem.
Update mobile
If we have pending updates, we may also have uninstalled improvements, regarding the connectivity of our phone. Each update in this regard can improve Bluetooth compatibility and fix known connection errors. To check this, we go to Settings / System / System Updates and proceed to download any pending patches.
Go to technical support
It is likely that, after trying the above methods, the error can no longer be fixed on our own. Therefore, we will only have to cross our fingers and go to technical support to check the smartphone in order to know where the problem is and, above all, to know if it has a solution or not. In these cases, we recommend you check if you still have a warranty on your phone, as it may cover it. But, to make use of it, you must go to the official support of the brand of the terminal you have.
