Why Are Your Galaxy Buds Not Working, and How to Fix Them?

Updated on October 21, 2026

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Galaxy Buds problems, whether the earbuds are not detected, only one works, or the case stops charging, can be fixed from your phone and the case, with no tools. According to Samsung, restarting the earbuds in the case, pairing them again over Bluetooth or updating Galaxy Wearable usually clears a connection fault. Allow about 30 minutes.

Common symptoms and causes

• Earbuds not detected by the phone: distance or interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens), earbuds not seated properly in the case, an old pairing still stored on the phone, an outdated Galaxy Wearable app.
• Only one earbud works, or the sound is weaker on one side: speaker mesh clogged with earwax, an ear tip that is loose or the wrong size, earbuds out of sync with each other, different software versions on the two earbuds, hardware failure.
• Earbuds or case that no longer charge or turn on: a non-compliant charger or cable, a drained or damaged case, dirty charging contacts (a cause carried over from the previous version of this guide, not confirmed by Samsung).

Before you start

Identify your model. The gesture that re-syncs the two earbuds uses a button on the case for the Buds3 and Buds4, and the touchpads on older models.

Also note the One UI version on your Galaxy phone: the reset is in Settings from One UI 8.0 onward, and in the Galaxy Wearable app before that.

Warning: the earbuds and the case contain lithium batteries. Never puncture, bend or heat a lithium battery; a swollen battery will not charge again and belongs at a recycling drop-off point; work on a non-flammable surface. Do not charge an earbud or case that is cracked, deformed or hot.

Warning: the reset in solution 5 erases data. The earbuds go back to factory settings, so the pairing with your devices and your custom settings are lost. Write your settings down first.

Warning: opening the earbuds or the case may void the warranty, so check the warranty end date first. Repairs go through Samsung service.

Solution 1: Galaxy Buds won’t connect or aren’t detected

1. Move the earbuds closer to the phone and away from Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens, with nothing between them.
2. Look at the light on the case: if it blinks red or orange, charge the earbuds and the case before going further.
3. Put both earbuds back in the case and close the lid.
4. Wait at least 10 seconds; the case light goes out after about 7 seconds.
5. Open the case and try connecting again.
6. If the problem persists, open Settings > Connections > Bluetooth on the phone.
7. Tap the gear icon next to your Galaxy Buds, then tap the option at the bottom of the screen that removes the pairing; its wording varies by version.
8. Connect the earbuds again as you did the first time.
9. Restart the phone: on a Galaxy, hold the side button and the volume down button until it restarts.
10. Update the Galaxy Wearable app and the phone’s system software.

Your Galaxy Buds should appear in the Bluetooth list and connect as soon as you open the case.

Solution 2: only one Galaxy Buds earbud works or the sound is unbalanced

1. Check that both ear tips are the same size and firmly seated.
2. Inspect the speaker mesh of the silent earbud: it should be free of earwax and dust.
3. On the phone, open Settings > Accessibility > Hearing enhancements and set the left/right balance slider to the center. This setting does not apply to calls, and the original Galaxy Buds and Buds+ may not support it.
4. Re-sync the two earbuds with each other using the gesture for your model, described below.

• Buds4 and Buds4 Pro: put both earbuds in the case, lid open, and hold the connection button on the back of the case for 7 seconds. A blue blink followed by the light going out means the earbuds are linked.
• Buds3, Buds3 Pro and Buds3 FE: earbuds in the case, lid open, hold the connection button on the underside of the case for 7 seconds.
• Galaxy Buds, Buds+, Buds Live, Buds Pro, Buds2, Buds2 Pro and Buds FE: earbuds in the case, touch and hold both touchpads at the same time for 7 seconds. The light blinks, then goes out when the earbuds are linked.

If the light blinks red, take the earbuds out, seat them back in their slots and repeat the gesture for at least 7 seconds. A light that blinks and then goes out, with no red, confirms the two earbuds are linked.

Good to know: if the two earbuds are on different software versions, pairing mode can stay stuck. Solution 4 fixes that.

Solution 3: Galaxy Buds won’t charge or turn on

1. Use the supplied USB cable and a Samsung-approved charger plugged into a wall outlet.
2. Plug the cable into the port on the back of the case.
3. Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid.
4. Let them charge for at least 30 minutes. Samsung asks for at least 10 minutes before first use, and its US support page says 30 minutes.
5. Watch the charging light: a red blink means charging is not going through properly.
6. Clean the charging contacts on the earbuds and the case. Samsung recommends this without saying how; the previous version of this guide suggested a soft, dry cloth, a method Samsung has not confirmed.
7. Inspect the earbuds and the case for a crack, deformation or a loose part. On some models the earbuds are not water resistant.
8. For wireless charging, check that your model supports it, then place the case on a Samsung-certified charger or on the back of a Galaxy phone that supports wireless power sharing.

The case’s charging light should no longer blink red.

Tip: when you are judging a charging fault, always use a wall outlet. A computer USB port charges more slowly and skews the diagnosis.

If your charger is not an approved one, here is where to find a compatible Samsung wall charger.

Samsung 25 W USB-C wall charger (EP-TA800)

An original Samsung wall charger with a USB-C port, to charge a phone or an earbuds case. It rules out a non-compliant charger when charging goes wrong.

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Solution 4: update the Galaxy Buds software with Galaxy Wearable

1. Connect both earbuds to the phone and open the Galaxy Wearable app.
2. Open the earbuds’ settings in Galaxy Wearable, then the software update section. The labels vary by app version.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update.
4. Keep both earbuds connected during the update: according to a Samsung community moderator, the update does not run with only one earbud.

Once both earbuds are on the same version, they go into pairing mode on their own.

Tip: do this update before any reset. It fixes the version gap between the earbuds, and the reset needs both earbuds connected and charged anyway.

Solution 5: reset the Galaxy Buds

Warning: the reset returns the earbuds to factory settings. The pairing and your custom settings are lost, so you will need to reconnect the earbuds afterwards.

1. Charge both earbuds to at least 15%.
2. Connect both earbuds to the phone; according to the Samsung community, the reset is not possible with only one earbud connected.
3. On One UI 8.0 or later, open Settings > Galaxy Buds > Manage connections > Reset, then confirm with Reset.
4. On a version earlier than One UI 8.0, open the Wearable app > Manage connections > Reset, then confirm with Reset.
5. Pair the earbuds with the phone again.

The earbuds restart with their default settings, which can clear connection and performance faults.

Good to know: the old method of holding the button on the back of the case for a few seconds no longer appears in Samsung’s help pages. Use the menu.

If nothing works

Stop if the earbuds still fail after being charged, updated, re-synced and reset, if the case light still blinks red, if one earbud stays silent, or if you see a crack, deformation or unusual heat. Do not open the earbuds, especially under warranty: contact Samsung support in your country (in the United States, 1-800-SAMSUNG).

Have the exact model of your earbuds and your proof of purchase ready, which you will need for the warranty.

Before buying new ones, compare models in our guide Google Pixel Buds A or Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 or in our review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE.

If replacing them is simpler than repairing them, here are three reliable true wireless earbuds to compare, from affordable to premium.

Take better care of your Galaxy Buds: our toolbox

These accessories help you charge, protect and maintain your earbuds and their case, or replace them when they are worn out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset Galaxy Buds?

Use the phone: Settings > Galaxy Buds > Manage connections > Reset on One UI 8.0 or later, or the Wearable app on older versions. Both earbuds must be charged to at least 15%. You will then need to pair them again.

Why does only one of my Galaxy Buds work?

Possible causes are a clogged mesh, a loose ear tip, or earbuds that are no longer in sync with each other. Clean the mesh, check the ear tips, then re-sync the earbuds with the gesture for your model. A different software version on the two earbuds can also block the connection.

Why won’t my Galaxy Buds charge anymore?

An unapproved charger, an empty or damaged case or dirty contacts can all stop charging. Charge for 30 minutes with the supplied cable on a wall outlet, earbuds in the closed case. If the light still blinks red after that, contact Samsung support.

How do I connect Galaxy Buds to an iPhone?

The Samsung help pages we checked do not describe a procedure for the iPhone. The Galaxy Wearable app does not appear to be available on iOS, which Samsung has not confirmed. For updates and the menu reset, you probably need an Android phone; confirm with Samsung.