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Article ID : 00348094 / Last Modified : 06/06/2025

I can't pair or connect my headphones and playback device (WF-C510)

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Before proceeding the steps below, update the headphones' software to the latest version.

Before you start

Radio interference will affect the Bluetooth communication between the earbuds and the playback device. The interference is likely to occur in a crowded place, near a store's cash registers, near a microwave, near traffic lights or automatic doors, inside a crowded train or in a station, etc. To avoid interference, move the earbuds and speaker closer or set the sound quality mode to Priority on stable connection in the Sony | Sound Connect app.
If you have paired the earbuds with multiple devices before and can no longer connect with one of those devices, refer to this article: The earbuds or speaker cannot connect with a desired device when I have paired with multiple devices.
Make sure the earbuds are properly inserted into the charging case.

If the earbuds are not touching the charging port because the earbuds are floating in the charging case or the charging port is dirty, the charging may fail.

Set the earbuds into the charging case after cleaning them, inside the charging case, and the charging port of the earbuds, then check the indicator of the charging case without connecting the charging cable. For details on how to clean the earbuds, refer to this article: How to care for the earbuds.

Solution

Follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

Reset the earbuds.

Watch this video or refer to the article How to reset or initialize the WF-C510:

If your earbuds model does not appear in the device list of the playback device, turn off the Bluetooth setting and turn it on again, or leave the Bluetooth setting once and return to try the connection again.

Pairing can be done successfully.
A temporary malfunction of the earbuds may have caused the issue.
Pairing fails.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
Check the status of the indicator when you place both earbuds (left and right) in the charging case and open/close the lid.

The indicator lights up in green or orange

The earbuds are fully charged. Go to the next troubleshooting step.
The indicator does not light up

The remaining battery of the earbuds is 1% or lower. Charge the earbuds, and after charging is complete, try the pairing again.
Perform the following procedure and check if the pairing can be done successfully.
1. Restart the device you are trying to pair.
2. Delete the Bluetooth® device information of your playback device.
  For details on how to delete the Bluetooth device information, refer to this article: How to delete the Bluetooth device information of your playback device.
3. Perform the pairing again.
  - For Android™: Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
  - For iPhones®: Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
  - For computers and other devices: Refer to the appropriate section of the Help Guide
Pairing can be successfully completed.
There seems to have been an issue connecting with the device, such as Bluetooth pairing being disconnected.
Pairing fails.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
If you have a different smartphone, Walkman®, or other device, try to perform a Bluetooth pairing with the earbuds and one of these other devices:

Pairing can be done successfully.
The playback device that was initially connected may be malfunctioning. Consult the manufacturer of the device.
Pairing also fails on these devices.
Go to the next troubleshooting step.
Initialize the earbuds, and then try the pairing again.
1. Initialize the earbuds.
  Initialization returns the earbuds to the factory settings, and all Bluetooth pairing information is deleted.
  
  Watch this video or refer to the article How to reset or initialize the WF-C510
2. Perform the pairing again.
  Refer to the appropriate article:
  - For Android™: Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone
  - For iPhones®: Pairing and connecting with an iPhone
  - For computers and other devices: Refer to the appropriate section of the Help Guide
  Note: If the earbuds are not displayed in the connected device, remove the earbuds from the charging case once, and then the hearbuds will enter pairing mode again and appear on the device.
Pairing can be done successfully.
A temporary malfunction of the earbuds may have caused the issue.
Pairing fails.
The earbuds may be malfunctioning and require repair. Go to Product Repair.