How to fix Bluetooth connection issues on your Samsung Galaxy device

Last Update date : 28 August 2026

If a Bluetooth device will not connect to your Galaxy phone or tablet, the issue may be caused by incorrect pairing mode settings, connection history errors, outdated software, or Bluetooth configuration issues. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to connect or reconnect your Bluetooth device successfully.

A person holding a Samsung Galaxy phone near a pair of wireless earbuds.

Note: Menu names, settings, and screen layouts may vary depending on the model and software version.

When connecting a Bluetooth device for the first time, the device must be placed into pairing mode before it can be detected by your Galaxy device.

Put the Bluetooth device into pairing mode

If the Bluetooth device is not in pairing mode, your Galaxy device will not be able to detect or connect to it.

Note: Refer to the user manual for your Bluetooth device, as pairing mode instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

[Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro]

Two earbuds placed in the charging case with the lid open. Two earbuds placed in the charging case with the lid open.

Step 1. Place the earbuds in the charging case and open the case.

Pointing to the pairing button on the bottom of an open charging case. Pointing to the pairing button on the bottom of an open charging case.

Step 2. Press and hold the pairing button on the bottom of the charging case for more than 3 seconds.

* The status indicator will flash blue, red, and green repeatedly, indicating that the earbuds are in Bluetooth pairing mode.

[Galaxy Buds2 and Buds2 Pro]

Pair of earbuds inside an open charging case. Pair of earbuds inside an open charging case.

Step 1. Place the earbuds in the charging case and open the case.

Two fingers pressing down on both earbuds inside the charging case simultaneously. Two fingers pressing down on both earbuds inside the charging case simultaneously.

Step 2. Press and hold both earbuds simultaneously for more than 3 seconds.

* The status indicator will flash blue, red, and green repeatedly, indicating that the earbuds are in Bluetooth pairing mode.

[Galaxy Buds, Buds+, Buds Live, and Buds Pro]

An earbud placed in an ear. An earbud placed in an ear.

Step 1. Wear both earbuds.

Fingers pressing and holding the touchpads on both worn earbuds. Fingers pressing and holding the touchpads on both worn earbuds.

Step 2. Press and hold the touchpad area on both earbuds simultaneously for more than 3 seconds.

* A sound will play, indicating that the earbuds are in Bluetooth pairing mode.

Connect the Bluetooth device

Once the Bluetooth device is in pairing mode, connect it to your Galaxy device.

Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted. Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu with the Bluetooth option highlighted. Connections menu with the Bluetooth option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Bluetooth.

A list of available Bluetooth devices with one device selected. A list of available Bluetooth devices with one device selected.

Step 3. Select the device you want to connect from the list of available devices.

A pairing confirmation pop-up with the Pair button highlighted. A pairing confirmation pop-up with the Pair button highlighted.

Step 4. Tap Pair.

Bluetooth settings screen. Bluetooth settings screen.

Step 5. Confirm the connection > The device will appear in the list of paired devices.

If a Bluetooth device that previously worked no longer connects, remove the saved connection and pair the device again.

Remove and reconnect the Bluetooth device

Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted. Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu with the Bluetooth option highlighted. Connections menu with the Bluetooth option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Bluetooth.

The settings icon highlighted next to a paired Bluetooth device name. The settings icon highlighted next to a paired Bluetooth device name.

Step 3. Tap the Settings icon next to the Bluetooth device that will not connect.

Bluetooth Settings menu with the Unpair option highlighted at the bottom. Bluetooth Settings menu with the Unpair option highlighted at the bottom.

Step 4. Tap Unpair > Put the Bluetooth device back into pairing mode and pair the device again.

Reset Bluetooth settings

If reconnecting the device does not resolve the issue, reset the Bluetooth settings and try again.

Note: Resetting Bluetooth settings removes saved Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connection information. Devices may need to be paired again.

Settings menu with the General management option highlighted. Settings menu with the General management option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap General management.

General management menu with the Reset option highlighted. General management menu with the Reset option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Reset.

Reset menu with Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings highlighted. Reset menu with Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.

Reset settings confirmation button highlighted. Reset settings confirmation button highlighted.

Step 4. Tap Reset settings.

Restart your Galaxy device

Temporary software issues may prevent Bluetooth devices from being recognised properly.

[Restart using the power menu]

Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick settings panel. Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick settings panel.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.

Quick settings panel showing the Power off icon. Quick settings panel showing the Power off icon.

Step 2. Tap the Power off icon.

Power off menu showing the Restart option. Power off menu showing the Restart option.

Step 3. Tap Restart.

[Restart using the buttons]

If the device freezes or the Restart menu does not appear:

Phone showing the Side key and Volume down key pressed together. Phone showing the Side key and Volume down key pressed together.

Press and hold the Side key and Volume down key at the same time for more than 7 seconds until the device restarts.

If the issue continues after trying the steps above, use Samsung Members Phone diagnostics to check whether Bluetooth is functioning properly on your Galaxy device.

Note: Phone diagnostics is available only on Galaxy devices with the Samsung Members app installed.

Samsung Members app screen with the Support tab highlighted on the bottom. Samsung Members app screen with the Support tab highlighted on the bottom.

Step 1. Open the Samsung Members app > Tap Support.

Get started button highlighted under the Phone diagnostics section. Get started button highlighted under the Phone diagnostics section.

Step 2. Tap Get started.

* The full diagnostics scan begins. You can stop the process and select specific items to run individual tests.

Phone diagnostics list with the Bluetooth option highlighted. Phone diagnostics list with the Bluetooth option highlighted.

Step 3. Select Bluetooth.

Diagnostic test results screen for Bluetooth. Diagnostic test results screen for Bluetooth.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions > Check the diagnostic results.

If your Galaxy device will not connect to a vehicle hands-free Bluetooth system, try the following: 

  • Search for your phone from the vehicle Bluetooth system instead of searching for the vehicle from your phone.
  • Make sure the vehicle Bluetooth system is in pairing mode.
  • Refer to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions for Bluetooth pairing procedures.

Keeping your Galaxy device updated helps optimise Bluetooth compatibility and connectivity.

Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted. Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Software update.

Software update screen with the Check for updates option highlighted. Software update screen with the Check for updates option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Check for updates.

A screen confirming that the software is up to date. A screen confirming that the software is up to date.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. A confirmation will appear once the software is up to date.

Note: If the issue continues after trying the steps above, contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung service centre for further assistance.

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