JLab Bluetooth Headphones Won’t Connect? Reset in Order
When JLab Bluetooth headphones won’t connect, the fix JLab prints is a factory reset in a set order: charge them, forget them on every device you want to pair them with, reset by the method for your model, then pair again from the Bluetooth menu. JLab’s reset page covers the case where “your JLab earbuds are not pairing together, or only one earbud is connecting separately to your phone”.
The steps below are JLab’s own for its true wireless earbuds, in JLab’s order, followed by Apple’s checks for an iPhone that still refuses the connection. Over ear JLab headphones are covered in their own section further down.
Step 1: charge the earbuds before you reset them
Put the earbuds in their case and plug it in for about 10 minutes before anything else. JLab’s reset page says “It is important to be sure that your device is sufficiently charged to perform the reset (we recommend plugging your device in for about 10 minutes).” If the earbuds will not power on at all, see JLab headphones won’t turn on.
The shorter JLab pairing page starts the same way, with the case charged and the earbuds placed inside.
Step 2: forget the earbuds on every device you want to pair them with
Remove the JLab entry from the Bluetooth list of each device you want to pair them with, before you reset. JLab’s page puts this step ahead of both reset methods, for any Bluetooth device you want to pair them with.
On an iPhone the path is Settings, Bluetooth, the information icon next to the JLab name, then Forget This Device. JLab’s pairing page puts it as “Go to your Bluetooth settings, and tap on the information icon next to your JLab earbuds’ name.” then “Select “Forget This Device” in your settings.”
On Android the path JLab prints runs through Settings, then Connections or Connected Devices, then Bluetooth, then the gear icon next to the JLab product, then Forget or Unpair.
Step 3: reset by the method for your model
JLab has two reset methods, and the one you use depends on the model. JLab lists 21 earbud models under its tap reset and four under its case button reset, so find yours in the two lists below before you touch anything.
Tap reset models, in JLab’s own list: “Go Air Pop, GO Air Sport, Go Air Tones, Go Pop ANC, Go Pop+, GO Sport+, Go Tones+, Hear OTC, JBuds Air ANC, JBuds Air Pro ANC, JBuds Air Pro, JBuds Air Sport, JBuds Mini, JBuds ANC 3, JBuds Sport ANC 4, Work Buds, Epic Air ANC Gen 2, Epic Air ANC, Epic Lab Edition, Epic Open Sport, Epic Sport ANC 3.”
For those, open the case and leave the earbuds inside, then quickly tap the right earbud 7 times on the JLab logo, which is the touch sensor. JLab’s confirmation is “The earbud’s light will flash 4 times indicating this was done successfully.”
Then tap the left earbud 7 times, and its LED flashes 4 times the same way. Take the right earbud out first, then the left, and watch the lights: “One earbud will turn solid white while the other flashes between white and blue” is JLab’s signal that they are in pairing mode.
Case button models, in JLab’s own list: “GO Pods ANC, Flex Open Earbuds, JBuds Pods ANC, Epic Pods ANC.” For those, JLab’s step is “Hold the reset button on the charging case for about 3 seconds.” and “The LED on the front of the charging case will flash to indicate the earbuds were successfully reset.”
For these four models too, JLab says to take the right earbud out of the case first, then the left, and the signal is the same: one earbud solid white while the other flashes between white and blue.
Step 4: pair again from Other Devices
Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look under Other Devices for the JLab name. JLab’s line for iOS is “Under Other Devices you can tap on your product’s name to pair.” and for Android “Tap on Pair new device and select your product’s name to pair.”
JLab’s pairing page says the earbuds show up in the Other Devices or Pair new device menu, and tapping the JLab name saves the Bluetooth connection.
If the lights do nothing, or the earbuds still pair one at a time
If an earbud’s light gives no flash and no solid response, JLab’s step is a charge of at least 30 minutes in the closed case before you try the reset again. JLab’s troubleshooting note: “Place it into the charging case, shut the lid, and charge for at least 30 minutes before attempting the reset steps again.” and, if neither earbud ever lights, “please contact support.”
If the reset finished but the earbuds still connect separately, JLab’s page gives two steps. They are “Forget any earbuds from your Bluetooth pairing record that were previously paired individually.” then “Attempt the reset steps again.”
If your iPhone still won’t connect, Apple’s checks
Keep the earbuds close to the iPhone, turn them off and on, and make sure they are charged. Apple’s page for a Bluetooth accessory that won’t connect starts with proximity and adds “If you haven’t paired them before, you might need to place them in discovery mode first. Check your accessory’s instructions.”
Apple’s next two lines are “Turn your Bluetooth accessory off and back on again.” and “Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is on and fully charged or connected to power.”
If you use an app with the earbuds, such as the JLab Mobile App, check its Bluetooth permission under Settings, Privacy & Security, Bluetooth. Apple’s page says to make sure that you have turned on Bluetooth for the app.
Apple’s page also covers earbuds that pair with other devices but not the iPhone: “Unpair the accessory from your other devices.” then “Try to pair with your iOS or iPadOS device again.” For compatibility, Apple says to “contact the manufacturer of the accessory.”
Apple lists three cases that go to Apple Support: “You can’t turn on Bluetooth or the setting is grayed out.” / “You can’t connect any Bluetooth accessories with your device.” / “The accessory manufacturer confirmed that your accessory is working correctly.” The iPhone side is also covered in how to unpair and repair AirPods.
What about over ear JLab headphones?
JLab’s two reset pages are written for true wireless earbuds, and neither prints a reset for over ear or on ear headphones. For a specific model, JLab’s reset page points at the manuals: “If you are looking for product-specific content, here you can find a list of all JLab product manuals.”
Apple’s checks in the section above are written for any Bluetooth accessory that won’t connect to an iPhone or iPad. For a Fitbit that keeps dropping its Bluetooth connection, see why your Fitbit keeps disconnecting from Bluetooth.
Where these pages stop
None of the three pages names a firmware update as a step for a connection failure. The words firmware and update do not appear on any of them.
JLab’s page gives one contact for anything the steps do not fix: “our support team is happy to help: support@jlab.com or 1-405-445-7219”
Frequently asked questions
Why do my JLab earbuds connect one at a time?
JLab’s reset page is written for exactly that symptom, earbuds “not pairing together, or only one earbud is connecting separately to your phone”, and the fix it gives is the forget, reset and pair sequence above. If they still pair individually after a reset, forget every old JLab entry on the phone and reset again.
How many times do I tap a JLab earbud to reset it?
Seven, on the JLab logo, with the earbud in its open case, right earbud first and then the left, for the models JLab lists under its tap reset. The four models in JLab’s case button list (“GO Pods ANC, Flex Open Earbuds, JBuds Pods ANC, Epic Pods ANC”) reset by holding the button on the charging case for about 3 seconds instead. The light flashes 4 times after each tapped earbud, in JLab’s words “indicating this was done successfully.”
Do JLab earbuds need to be charged to reset?
Yes. JLab recommends plugging them in for about 10 minutes first, and says to charge for at least 30 minutes if an earbud’s light does not respond during the reset.