Sound on your wireless headphones is delayed
To get straight to the point: it is a known problem that sound transmitted via Bluetooth is sometimes a bit delayed. Depending on the headphones you use, this cannot always be solved completely. If you use headphones that contain an Apple audio chip, you will hardly have any problems with this. This applies, for example, to the AirPods and some Beats earphones. With wireless headphones from other brands, unexpected delays can sometimes occur. Here’s what you can do about it.
#1 Ensure a stable connection
The big question is of course: what can you do about it? Above all, you should make sure that the connection between your phone and your headphones is stable. Make sure they are not too far apart. If you experience delays, it may help to turn your headphones off and on. Your connection will then ‘reset’, as it were, and any delay will hopefully disappear.
#2 Disconnect and reconnect
If you really suffer from delays very often, it can sometimes help to completely disconnect your wireless headphones and reconnect them to your iPhone.
That works as follows:
- Go to the Settings app and click on Bluetooth. Tap the i next to the name of your headphones and choose Forget this device.
- Make sure your headphones forget their existing connections and put them in discoverable mode. You can find out how to do this in the manual of your headphones. This varies per brand.
- On your iPhone you will now find your headphones in the list of found devices (in the Bluetooth settings). Now you can reconnect.
- You may have to enter a code. You can probably look this up in the manual for your headphones. If not, you can try 0000 or 1234, as these codes are often extremely simple.
#3 Prevent disruption and interference
There may be environmental factors that cause problems. Bluetooth works on the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency, which carries a lot of wireless traffic. This disrupts each other, which can cause interference. So you may notice less delay in a different room. Also check which devices in your area may cause interference, such as a microwave that is in use to heat something.
#4 Outdated Bluetooth version or codec
In addition to interference or distance, the Bluetooth version or type of Bluetooth codec of the wireless headphones can also cause the problem. Are you using headphones with a Bluetooth version lower than 5.0? Then there is a greater chance of delay, because the older technology processes audio data slightly slower. If there is a difference in the Bluetooth codec of the audio source and the receiver, this can also cause problems. A codec is an algorithm that packs and unpacks audio data. There are different types that do not always communicate well with each other.
On an iOS device, you’ll get the best experience if your wireless headphones support the AAC codec.
#5 Use cable
If you have headphones that can also be used with a cable, try that. You can then simply listen to music wirelessly, where the delay is not so noticeable. You use the cable to watch videos. Then you are guaranteed not to experience any delays.
Other solutions if your headphones are lagging
If this does not eliminate the delay, you can still try to reset your iPhone.
Unfortunately, there is not much more you can do to solve the delay in the sound via your wireless headphones. If you don’t like your current headphones or have other flaws, it may be time for a new one.
Read further:
- Wireless headphones for your iPhone and iPad
- The best noise canceling headphones for quiet work, without distractions
- Pair Bluetooth earbuds and headphones with iPhone or iPad
- AirPods Max: everything about Apple’s luxury headphones
- Beats: everything about the headphones and earphones from this trendy brand
