Bose's dropped-connection article lists the checks in order. If the headset is charging, disconnect it, because Bluetooth is disabled while charging. Keep the product within 33 feet (10 meters) of your device; walls, doors and other electronics weaken the signal, so move them closer or relocate interference. Reboot the Bluetooth device by shutting it down and powering it on. Clear the product's memory of previously connected devices, then reconnect. In the device's Bluetooth settings remove the Bose product from the list, including any duplicate LE (Low Energy) listings, and reconnect.
Reboot the headphones by holding Power/Bluetooth while connecting the USB cable to the left earcup until the light blinks twice. If connected to a Windows computer, open Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, Properties, Power Management and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, then restart. If you use the product outdoors, compare with indoors, since there are fewer reflections outdoors. Update the firmware at btu.bose.com. Multipoint with two devices can also cause switching when a second device plays.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds keeps disconnecting”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Distance or obstacles
What separates it The audio breaks up away from the phone because of distance or obstacles
How to confirm Stay within 33 feet with a clear path
- 2
The headphones are charging
What separates it There is no Bluetooth because the headphones are charging
How to confirm Unplug the headphones from the charger, and try the connection again
- 3
A stale memory
What separates it The headphones drop at random because the device memory is stale
How to confirm Clear the memory on the headphones, and pair them again
- 4
Windows power management
What separates it The laptop drops the link because of Windows power management
How to confirm Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device
- 5
Multipoint switching
What separates it The audio jumps between devices because of multipoint switching
How to confirm Pause one device before you play on another, so the audio does not jump
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product and the generation that you have
- The device and the operating system that you use
- Where the drop happens and the distance
- Whether a second device is connected
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck charging
ReversibleCheck charging, and unplug the headphones from the charger before you test the link, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Move closer
ReversibleMove closer to the device, and stay within thirty three feet of it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reboot the device
ReversibleReboot the device, by turning the phone or the computer off and on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clear memory
ReversibleClear the memory, by clearing the headphone list, and removing the Bose entries, including the LE ones.
Reboot the headphones
ReversibleReboot the headphones, by holding Power and Bluetooth while connecting the USB cable, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Fix Windows power management
ReversibleFix Windows power management, by unchecking the power saving option for the Bluetooth adapter, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update
ReversibleUpdate the headphones at btu.bose.com, and then test the connection again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Range
- Bose gives 33 feet (10 meters) for the QC Ultra Headphones and the SoundLink speakers.
- Multipoint
- The QC Ultra Headphones connect to two devices at once and play from one, per Bose.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it drops within a few feet after clearing memory and rebooting, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If only Windows drops, use the power management fix
- !If only one app drops, contact that app
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Charging, 33 feet, clearing memory, the LE listing and the Windows power setting.
Switching between two devices.
Bluetooth range and interference sources.
Reboot and reset routes.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How far does Bluetooth reach?+
About 33 feet (10 m), reduced by walls and other devices.
Why does it drop only outdoors?+
Bose says compare with indoors; there are fewer reflections outside.
What is the LE listing?+
A duplicate Low Energy entry that should be removed with the main one.
Does multipoint cause drops?+
It can switch audio between two devices.
How do I turn multipoint off?+
In the Bose app, Settings, Bluetooth Connections, turn Multi-point connection off.
Does Windows power saving matter?+
Yes; uncheck the Bluetooth adapter's power-saving setting.
Should I update?+
Yes, update the headphones at btu.bose.com, since updates fix connection problems.
Does reboot erase settings?+
No, a reboot does not erase your settings, so it is safe to try.
Can I use the audio cable?+
Yes, it bypasses Bluetooth, though the headphones must be powered on.
How do I reset the earbuds?+
Put them in the case on power and hold the back button until the light turns off.
Should I use a wall charger for resets?+
Yes, Bose says a USB wall charger, not a computer.