How do I pair Beats Solo3 headphones with a laptop when the old pairing is still listed?
Answer
Remove the old Solo3 entry from the laptop's Bluetooth list, put the headphones into pairing mode by holding the power button for about 5 seconds until the fuel gauge flashes, then select the headphones from the list of discovered devices. Confirm the menu names on your own laptop, since they vary by operating system.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Be cautious with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly about the headphones and asks for a credit card, a transfer, or remote access to your computer. Pair the headphones yourself through the laptop's own settings.
- Use only the headphones' own power button and settings while pairing. Do not install third-party tools that claim to reset or unlock the headphones.
Follow these steps
Remove the old Solo3 entry from the laptop
Open the laptop's Bluetooth settings. On a Mac, use the Apple menu and open Bluetooth in System Settings or System Preferences, depending on the macOS version. Find Solo3 in the list of devices and choose the option to forget or remove it. On other laptops, look for the same device in the Bluetooth list and remove it. The exact wording varies by system.
You should see: The old Solo3 entry no longer appears as a paired device, or you have confirmed it was not in the list.
Put the headphones into pairing mode
Turn the headphones on. Press the power button for 5 seconds, as described in Apple's Solo3 setup guide. Wait until the fuel gauge flashes, which means the headphones can be found by other devices.
You should see: The fuel gauge lights flash, showing that the headphones are discoverable.
Select the headphones from the laptop
While the fuel gauge is flashing, return to the laptop's Bluetooth settings. Select your headphones from the list of discovered Bluetooth devices. If several devices have similar names, choose the one labeled Solo3.
You should see: The laptop shows the headphones as connected or paired, and the Bluetooth list no longer reports a problem with them.
Choose the headphones as the sound output
Open the laptop's sound settings and select the Solo3 headphones as the output device. The menu is usually found in the same area as the speaker or volume controls, but its name varies by operating system.
You should see: Audio from the laptop plays through the headphones, and the laptop's speakers go quiet.
Try again if the laptop still says it is already paired
If the laptop still reports an existing pairing, remove the Solo3 entry again, turn the headphones off, turn them back on, and repeat the pairing steps. Keep the headphones within a few feet of the laptop while you do this.
You should see: The headphones pair on the second attempt, or the laptop shows a clearer error that you can check against the headphones' support page.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the laptop's Bluetooth list shows an old Solo3 entry, whether the headphones' fuel gauge flashes when you hold the power button, and whether the headphones appear in the list of discovered devices.
Before you change anything: Charge the headphones before you start, since low battery can stop them from pairing. Note which laptop you are pairing with, because menu names differ between macOS and Windows. Do not share account passwords or codes with anyone who contacts you about the headphones.
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