Why Won’t My Headphones Work On My iPhone?

When I first got my iPhone there was a headphone jack available for plug-in headphones. 

However, as the iPhone evolved that headphone jack was lost, which led to my investment in Bluetooth headphones. 

This led to a lot of research regarding how Bluetooth headphones work with iPhones, and this is what I found from my research.

Why Won’t My Headphones Work On My iPhone?

There can be a lot of reasons as to why your headphones do not work on your iPhone, but the most likely reason is some kind of damage to your headphones or iPhone. 

The damage to your headphones or iPhone can vary depending on what kind of headphones that you are using, but there are other reasons for your headphones not working.

Why is my iPhone not able to discover my headphones?

There are multiple reasons why your iPhone is not able to discover your headphones, but the most likely one is because they are not turned on.

If you decide to use Bluetooth headphones, then you may run into the problem of trying to connect them to your device. 

To connect them to your device you need to make sure that a list of things is working properly. 

First, you must make sure that your headphones are on.

If your headphones are not turned on, then your iPhone will not be able to discover them. 

Then, once your headphones are on, you must make sure that your headphones are close to your iPhone.

If they are too far away from your iPhone, they will not be able to be discovered or connected to your iPhone.

If you are having a problem with your iPhone discovering your headphones when they are turned on and within range, then you may need to take your iPhone in for support. 

There may be an issue with your iPhone and not the headphones that you are using.

Why is my iPhone headphone jack not working?

If you still have an iPhone that has a headphone jack port, then you may experience trouble with the headphone jack port. 

The main problems with the headphone jack port can be because of debris that may be present in the headphone jack port, or the actual headphone jack being damaged.

The headphone jack port may have collected dust and debris over time, which is causing issues with your headphones. 

The dust and debris can make the connection with the headphone jack and the iPhone difficult, which leads to the headphones not working. 

The other issue may be that the actual headphone jack is broken. 

If the headphone jack is bent or damaged for any reason, then your headphones will not work with your iPhone.

How do I plug in 3.5mm headphones to my iPhone?

If you have an iPhone with a headphone jack port, then you can plug your headphones directly into your phone. 

However, if you have a newer iPhone, then you will need an adapter to plug headphones into your iPhone with a headphone jack.

The newer iPhones removed the headphone jack port from the device. 

They claim that it helps make the devices waterproof, but it has also led to an increase in sales and profits for Apple. 

When they did this everybody needed to purchase the adapter for their headphones, and it led to an increase in sales for Apple indirectly. 

However, over time everybody has switched to Bluetooth headphones to avoid this issue.

If you insist on using headphones that use a 3.5mm headphone jack, then you need that adapter. 

You can purchase the adapter that plugs into the charging port of iPhones and plug the jack into the adapter.

Why do my headphones disconnect from my iPhone?

Bluetooth headphones run into a plethora of problems, and one of the main problems is getting them to stay connected to your iPhone. 

The main reason for your headphones disconnecting from your headphones is because there is another device connected to your iPhone.

If you frequently use Bluetooth, then there are probably multiple devices that are recognized by your iPhone. 

This can lead to certain Bluetooth devices automatically connecting to your iPhone. 

This can lead to your headphones disconnecting from your iPhone. 

The strength of connection between your headphones and iPhone is weakened when other devices connect, which can lead to a disconnect.

Also, the simple reason for your headphones disconnecting from your iPhone is that they do not have any battery. 

Bluetooth headphones require a charge for them to properly work. 

If they do not have a proper charge, then they will disconnect due to a lack of battery power.

Why is Bluetooth not working on my iPhone?

Bluetooth may not be working on your iPhone because you may not have your Bluetooth turned on in your settings.

You need to make sure that Bluetooth is turned on in your settings to connect devices via Bluetooth.

Another reason may be that you have too many devices connected. 

When too many devices are connected to your phone via Bluetooth, then the Bluetooth may not appear to work. 

If those issues are resolved, then you may need to update/reset your iPhone. 

An update/reset of your iPhone may help your iPhone enable the Bluetooth to work.

How do I disconnect/forget a device on my iPhone?

To disconnect/forget a device on your iPhone you must go into your settings and click on the Bluetooth tab. 

Within the Bluetooth tab all the devices that are recognized by your iPhone are displayed. 

You must click on the ‘i’ icon that is next to the device that you are looking to disconnect/forget, and a set of options will appear. 

Within those options there is a forget device button. 

You must click on that button and your iPhone will forget that device.

How can I reset the Bluetooth on my iPhone?

To reset the Bluetooth on your iPhone you must go into your settings and click on the general tab. 

Within the general tab there is a tab that is named “Reset Network Settings”.

You must click on this tab to reset the Bluetooth on your iPhone.

This will also cause your Wi-Fi settings to be reset, which can affect any VPNs that you may be using. 

After doing this all the devices that were recognized on your iPhone via Bluetooth will be lost and it will allow you to start fresh.

Closing Thoughts

From my research, there are various reasons as to why headphones may not work with an iPhone. 

Regardless of whether you are using Bluetooth headphones or headphones that have a headphone jack, the most logical reason for your headphones not working should be damage to your iPhone/headphones. 

If damage is not the result, then you can look further into the issue, but more times than not there is a logical reason for your headphones not working with your iPhone.