If the Bose QuietComfort Headphones will not pair, the cause is usually that they are connected to another device, are not in pairing mode or hold an old pairing, and the cure is a short sequence. The headphones remember several devices and reconnect to the last one automatically, so if they are switched on near a phone or laptop they used before, they will connect there and not appear as available for a new device. Switch Bluetooth off on the other devices, or disconnect them in the Bose Music app.
The checks in more detail
To pair, hold the power switch towards the Bluetooth symbol until the voice prompt says it is ready to pair, and a light flashes blue, and then open the new device's Bluetooth list and choose the headphones. If the headphones appear but fail, remove the device from your phone or computer's Bluetooth list, which is called Forget, restart the headphones and pair again. On a computer, remove the headphones from the device list in the settings and, on Windows, reinstall the Bluetooth driver if the adapter misbehaves.
Keep the headphones near the device, within about a meter, and away from interference during pairing. Make sure they are charged, since a very low battery can stop pairing, and that the device has Bluetooth enabled and is not in Airplane mode. The Bose Music app guides setup and also helps with firmware updates, which fix compatibility problems, so install it and update both. If you use two devices, remember multipoint: the headphones connect to up to two at once, and a third needs one of the others removed first.
To clear the headphones' memory and start again, a reset removes all pairings, and you must pair every device again; the Bose Music app and Bose's support pages give the exact button sequence for your model. If the headphones do not appear in any device's list after a reset, and they are charged, try them with another device, and then contact Bose support with the serial number.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort Headphones will not pair or connect”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Connected to another device
What separates it The headphones do not appear as available
How to confirm Disconnect or switch off the other device
- 2
Not in pairing mode
What separates it The light is not flashing blue
How to confirm Hold the switch until the pairing prompt
- 3
A stale pairing on the phone or computer
What separates it The headphones appear but fail
How to confirm Forget the device and pair again
- 4
A low battery
What separates it Pairing fails
How to confirm Charge the headphones
- 5
A pairing list that is full
What separates it A third device cannot connect
How to confirm Remove one of the devices
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which devices are paired
- The light color
- The battery state
- The firmware version
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedDisconnect other devices
ReversibleOr switch Bluetooth off.
Enter pairing mode
ReversibleHold the switch to Bluetooth.
Forget and pair again
ReversibleOn the new device.
Charge the headphones
ReversibleAnd move closer.
Update the firmware
ReversibleIn the Bose Music app.
Factory reset
ReversibleAs a last step.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Multipoint
- Up to two devices at once.
- Pairing mode
- A flashing blue light.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the headphones do not appear in any device after a reset, contact Bose with the serial number
- !Update the firmware
- !Try another device
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do my Bose headphones not appear?+
They are connected to another device.
How do I enter pairing mode?+
Hold the switch toward Bluetooth until the prompt.
How many devices can connect?+
Two at once.
Does a reset erase pairings?+
Yes, all of them.