Start by checking which generation of QuietComfort earbuds you have: Bose’s pairing and reset steps differ between the original 2020 model, the standard QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024, QuietComfort Earbuds II, and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. If you have the 2024 standard model, work through the Bluetooth and pairing checks below before attempting a reboot or factory restoration. For any other generation, use its own Bose guide.
Identify your QuietComfort model first
Check the product name shown in the Bose app, on the original packaging, or in the guide for your earbuds. Do not assume that a reset documented for one generation applies to another. The steps below are for the standard Bose QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024 unless a section says otherwise.
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- QuietComfort Earbuds (2024): Use the current Bose Bluetooth connection instructions and 2024 owner’s guide.
- Original QuietComfort Earbuds (2020): Follow the 2020 owner’s guide.
- QuietComfort Earbuds II: Use the Earbuds II support instructions.
- QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Use the Ultra connection troubleshooting guide.
Fix connection problems on QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024
Try these checks in order. They address a failed first pairing, a device that will not reconnect, and stale Bluetooth records without jumping straight to a reset.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Reseat the earbuds. Put both earbuds in the charging case so they sit in place, close the case, then reopen it. Try connecting again.
- Refresh Bluetooth on your phone, tablet, or computer. Switch Bluetooth off, wait a moment, and switch it back on.
- Remove saved pairings from the host device. In its Bluetooth settings, forget or remove Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. If there are duplicate entries marked “LE” (Low Energy), remove those too.
- Clear the earbuds’ remembered-device list. Follow the exact instructions in the 2024 owner’s guide for clearing the list; do not substitute a case-button sequence from another model.
- Pair again from the host’s Bluetooth settings. Hold either earbud for four seconds, until you hear “Ready to pair.” Open Bluetooth settings on the phone, tablet, or computer and select Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. Pair here before opening the Bose QCE app; Bose says the Bluetooth-list connection is required before the app can connect for added functionality.
Check whether another device is taking the connection
The 2024 standard QuietComfort Earbuds can maintain Bluetooth connections to two devices, but can play audio from only one at a time. If they are already connected to two devices, connecting a third replaces the older connection. Disconnect a device you are not using, then test the connection with the intended host.
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You can also turn off Multi-point in the Bose QCE app. Bose says disabling it disconnects the second device, which can help when you want the earbuds connected to only one host.
If Bluetooth works but the Bose QCE app disconnects
Bose’s 2024 owner’s guide lists a disabled sleep mode for the Bose QCE app on the phone as one possible reason for app disconnection. Check your phone’s own instructions for app sleep or battery restrictions and whether the app is allowed to remain active. The setting names vary by operating-system version, so use your phone maker’s current guidance rather than looking for one universal menu path.
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- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
Reboot or restore only with the matching guide
The 2024 owner’s guide lists rebooting and restoring factory settings after the earlier connection troubleshooting steps. Use the guide for your exact model to find the correct procedure; do not guess at button holds or apply a reset sequence from another QuietComfort generation. A reboot and a factory restoration are distinct actions, so select only the procedure appropriate to the problem.
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Why the original 2020 reset is not a universal fix
For unresponsive original 2020 QuietComfort Earbuds, Bose’s guide says to put them in the case and hold the case’s Bluetooth button for 30 seconds, until the earbud lights blink. Bose says this reboot clears the earbuds’ device list but not other settings. This sequence is specifically for the 2020 model, not the 2024 earbuds, Earbuds II, or Ultra.
Rank #3
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
Earbuds II have a different reset procedure
Bose’s Earbuds II instructions describe placing the earbuds in the case, connecting the case to USB-C power with the lid closed, then holding the case button for about 30 seconds until the LED turns off. That difference is another reason to check the model before resetting.
When to contact Bose
If the matching model’s connection steps and documented reset do not resolve the issue, contact Bose support for that exact product and your region. Bose’s cited Earbuds II and Ultra support pages list service or replacement as escalation after their troubleshooting steps, but eligibility and terms are model- and region-dependent. For the 2024 standard model or the 2020 model, consult the corresponding support channel rather than assuming the same service outcome applies.
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