When it comes to listening to music or making calls on the go, Bluetooth headphones are an excellent choice for keeping your hands free.
As a Bluetooth headphones user, have you ever had your phone in your pocket and suddenly had the music cut out?
You’re probably reading this because you’ve experienced the annoyance of your Bluetooth headphones cutting out when your phone is in your pocket. You’re not alone, this is a common problem with many Bluetooth headphones.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the possible causes of this issue and suggest solutions. Stay tuned for our tips on how to keep your Bluetooth headphones connected and avoid any frustrating interruptions.
Why Do Bluetooth Headphones Cut Out When Phone in Pocket?
When you use your Bluetooth headphones, your phone must be close by for the two devices to communicate with each other.
Any physical objects between these two devices can block or obstruct this communication and cause some types of interference.
Some of the most common Causes of Bluetooth headphones cutting out:
1. Your phone is not on an optimal frequency
Sometimes your phone can be on the wrong frequency for your headphones. To check this, go to “Settings” and see a section called “Bluetooth.”
If so, tap it and look at what list of devices you have paired with your headphones. If there are any devices listed that you do not recognize, delete them.
2. Your headphones are on the wrong frequency
Bluetooth headphones come in many different varieties, with multiple other Bluetooth profiles supported by each model.
If your phone is on an optimal frequency, but your headphones aren’t capable of using that frequency, they may cut out when in use.
Make sure you’re using the model of headphones specifically designed for your phone.
3. You have a Bluetooth interference device nearby
Bluetooth technology uses radio waves to send data between devices. Other devices that use the same frequency range can interfere with this communication and cause cutouts in your signal.
Possible sources of interference include older cordless phones, microwaves, wireless speakers, etc.
4. Your phone is in your pocket, backpack, or purse
Because Bluetooth communication requires both devices to be close, any physical obstruction can affect the wireless connection.
If you keep your phone in a tight pants pocket, put it in a backpack or purse, or tuck it away under a laptop bag while using your headphones, you’re likely to encounter some dropouts.
5. Receiver Quality
A Bluetooth receiver is a device that takes the wireless signal from your headphones and transfers it to a speaker. If this receiver is poor, you may experience cutouts or static during playback.
Ensure your headphones are connected to a good, clean receiver by checking the original packaging for compatibility information.
6. Low Battery Life
If your headphones are running low on power, they may start to cut out even when your phone is nearby.
This can be caused by several things, including leaving them powered on for extended periods or leaving them exposed to extreme cold or heat.
Make sure you’re always using good-quality batteries that have been stored correctly.
7. System Issues
Sometimes Bluetooth technology works differently on different devices. If you’ve had your phone and headphones for a while and all of a sudden they’re cutting out when in close proximity.
It could be due to an operating system update or other change in the way the two communicate with each other.
8. Compatibility Issues
The most common compatibility issues occur between Android and Apple devices. If your phone and headphones are from different manufacturers, there may be a specific model of headphones you need to use for them to work together.
9. Bluetooth headphones cutting out when running
When you are running, the movement of your body can affect how Bluetooth headphones work.
More physical movements mean less stability in the connection between the phone and the headphones.
When there is too much movement, it will cause your headphone’s signal to cut in and out.
10. Bluetooth cuts out when walking
If you are walking with your phone in your pocket, the movement of your body will affect the signal between it and your headphone.
This can cause a dropout in signal, which may mean a little bit of static or none at all. Most Bluetooth devices have a distance limit of up to 30 feet from the audio source before cutting out.
How to Fix Bluetooth Headphones That Keep Cutting Out?
1. Buy a compatible pair of headphones
Before purchasing new headphones, make sure you’re buying the suitable model for your device.
If it’s an Android phone that has Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher, then you can use any BT headphone that uses BT4.0 as well (which is most likely).
But if you need other special features, you might have to do some research about the compatibility to make sure it’s right.
2. Adjust your device settings
Open your phone’s Settings menu and find “Bluetooth.” Press the option to turn Bluetooth on/off.
If you’re using an Apple device, open the control center by swiping up from the bottom of your phone’s screen and pressing the Bluetooth icon to turn it off.
3. Reset your headphones
Turn your headphones off and then back on again to resync them with your phone. If they still cut out, try turning your phone or tablet off entirely and then restart.
You can also give both a factory reset by following these steps:
- Headphones: Hold the power button until you hear a beep.
- Phone: Go to Settings>General>Reset>Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Clean your headphones
If your headphones are dirty or dusty, it can affect their performance. Try cleaning them by taking them apart and gently cleaning the speaker and microphone with a toothbrush and dish soap. Once they’re dry, try pairing them again.
5. Update your phone or tablet’s OS or IOS
Updating your device can often improve Bluetooth connections and the overall performance of the phone or tablet. Make sure you have enough storage space on your device before attempting to update it.
6. Change your headphones’ “Power Save” setting
Some wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds have a power-saving function that kicks in after 10 minutes if you’re not actively using them, cutting off the music.
To check this, go to the Settings menu on your headphones and look for an option like Power Saving or Sleep Mode.
You can change it so that your device doesn’t go to sleep automatically and has a longer connection time, which may fix the dropout.
7. Reposition your phone or tablet
If you’ve got your phone in one pocket and your headphones in the other, try putting both closers together or moving them around until you hear more of the music.
This will help you find the sweet spot of your phone and headphone connection.
8. Try different ear tips or pads
If you’ve had your headphones for a while, they may have started to wear out, mainly if you use them often. Replace any faulty ear pads or ear tips and try pairing them again to see if that makes a difference.
9. Keep your phone farther from your headphones
If you’re connecting to a Bluetooth 4.0 device, try moving your phone up to 30 feet or 10 meters away from your headphone before pairing it again.
This can help avoid any possible interference between the two devices (like walls) and make them less likely to cut out.
10. Try pairing your headphones to another device
If none of the above solutions work, try re-pairing your headphones with a different phone or tablet.
If they cut out on that device too, you might need to contact the manufacturer for warranty service, especially if you bought them less than a year ago.
If they don’t cut out with another device, your original phone or tablet may have a software issue.
Best Practices for Using Bluetooth Headphones
To get the most out of your headphones, follow these best practices when pairing and using them with your phone or tablet:
1. Turn off your device’s Bluetooth if you’re not using it
If you don’t need to use a wireless headset, turning off its Bluetooth connection can save power and extend the life of both devices.
If you want to turn it back on, make sure you check that there isn’t already a connection with any nearby headsets or speakers before pairing them again.
2. Make sure you’re within range of your device
Bluetooth devices can experience shorter ranges outdoors, inside homes and offices, and in places with lots of WiFi interference.
If you don’t hear music while playing a video or using apps on your phone or tablet, make sure the Bluetooth headset is still connected before troubleshooting it.
3. Turn your phone’s Bluetooth on and off before pairing it with your headphones
Before you pair your wireless earbuds, headset or speaker, ensure that your device’s Bluetooth connection is turned on.
It may be helpful to turn both devices off and back on again before trying to connect them. This can help avoid any possible interference between the two devices.
4. Keep your phone away from large areas of electromagnetic interference
If you’re having trouble keeping your headset connected, try moving it away from any large areas with lots of WiFi and cellular signals.
Placing it in a different room or even on another floor can help avoid any possible interference causing the problem.
Airpods Cutting Out in the Pocket
Apple’s AirPods pro wireless earbuds work differently than most other Bluetooth earbuds and may not cut out in the same situations. Here’s how they work:
The AirPod earpieces have optical sensors that help them know when they’re inside your ears, so they automatically connect to your device each time you put them on.
They’re designed to work with Apple devices that run the iOS version, so they may have difficulty pairing with other brands of smartphones or tablets.
If you’re having trouble keeping your AirPods connected, follow these steps:
1. Make sure your AirPods are updated
Before troubleshooting them, make sure they have the latest software updates by opening the “Settings” app on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and checking the “General” menu.
If an AirPod earpiece gets disrupted during a software update, try pairing it with your device again after it’s finished installing.
2. Use Bluetooth to pair them again
If you’ve paired and unpaired your Apple AirPods several times, it may be helpful to forget the current connection and pair your AirPods with a different phone or tablet. To do this on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad:
- 1. Open the Settings app on your device and tap “Bluetooth.”
- 2. Slide the “Apple Wireless” switch off and back on again, then tap “Forget this Device” if it appears.
- 3. Go to the Bluetooth menu again and slide the “Apple Wireless” switch to turn on your AirPods.
- 4. Hold one of your AirPods near your device’s Home button and wait for them to connect automatically.
- 5. On an Android device, go to the Bluetooth menu, select “AirPods,” then tap “Forget” when it appears.
3. Make sure your device’s microphone works properly
If you’re having trouble with audio streaming or phone calls on both of your AirPods, check that your iPhone or iPad’s microphones can be heard clearly during a call.
If you can’t hear or be heard during a call, your device’s mics may need to be replaced.
Although there are many ways to troubleshoot Bluetooth connections on phones and wireless headsets, sometimes the issue is outside anyone’s control.
If you’re still having problems with a set of headphones that worked fine in the past when it comes to listening to music or making calls, it may be time for a new set.
Sony WF-1000XM3 Cutting Out in the Pocket
Lastly, for the Sony wf-1000xm3 headphones that are also wireless but have active noise canceling, there is a solution to ensure no disruption caused by your device being in your pocket.
1. Open the WF-1000XM3 app and select “Settings.”
2. Select “Feature Guide,” then select “Feature Guide” again
3. Select “Music with ANC,” then select “Auto-off” to make sure your headphones turn off when you’re not listening to music or watching a video
4. Go back to the main settings menu and select “Volume/Sound Balance Mode,” then use the slider on this screen to adjust how loud your music will be
5. Go back to the main settings menu and select “Volume/Sound Balance Mode,” then use the slider on this screen to adjust how loud your phone calls will be, keeping in mind that this setting does not apply when you’re streaming video
6. If your music sounds distorted even after adjusting the volume balance mode, go back to the main settings menu and select “Volume/Sound Balance Mode,” then use the slider on this screen to adjust how loud your music will be.
The Sony 1000XM3 app has several helpful tips that can help you take your listening experience with these headphones to the next level, so it’s worth downloading if you have them.
Conclusion
Bluetooth headphones cut out when your phone is in your pocket because the device’s Bluetooth connection isn’t strong enough to travel through walls, pockets, and other barriers.
The solutions above may help you connect your devices again and stop the interference from causing a break in your music. In some cases, there could be a software issue with your phone or tablet that will require professional service.
To get the most out of your wireless headset, try turning off Bluetooth when you’re not using it and making sure that both devices are being used in an area with a strong connection.
