Sony makes some outstanding Bluetooth speakers. Whether you own one of the smaller models, like the Sony SRS-XB12 Waterproof Wireless Speaker, or one of the larger models, like the Sony XB90, you probably want to know how you can pair your speaker with a compatible audio source.
If you are unsure how to pair your Sony Bluetooth speaker with a compatible device, we are here to help! Fortunately, just about every Sony Bluetooth speaker will pair to devices in the same way, regardless of the size, power, or cost of the particular model you own.
By following the steps below, you will be able to enjoy your favorite music and podcasts with your Sony speaker in no time!
Step-by-Step Guide for Pairing a Sony Speaker with a Compatible Device
Before we get started, it is worth mentioning how important it is to read the instruction manual for your specific Sony speaker. Not only can this teach you how to use your new speaker properly, but it can also contain important information, like the duration of your speaker’s warranty and how you can protect the speaker from damage and unnecessary wear.
However, if you no longer have a copy of the instruction manual, you can proceed through the following steps to pair your Sony speaker with an audio source:
Step 1 – Turn the Speaker On
The first and most obvious step is to turn on the speaker. After you have pressed the ON button, the LED power indicator will light up. With just about every Sony Bluetooth speaker, the Bluetooth indicator light will also begin to flash at this point.
If it is the first time you have ever turned your Sony speaker on, you will notice that the Bluetooth indicator will be flashing rapidly. It’s doing this because the speaker has never been paired to a device before. Once you have paired your speaker for the first time, it will automatically pair with nearby devices when you turn it on. In most cases, when you first turn it on, the speaker will attempt to pair with the last device it was connected to.
Step 2 – Press and hold the Pairing Button
On just about every Sony Bluetooth speaker, the pairing button will have the Bluetooth symbol on it, which is pictured below:
After you hold this button down for roughly one second, you will hear your Sony speaker’s guidance voice say the word “pairing”. You will also notice that the LED light located beside the Bluetooth button will have started to flash at a rapid speed.
Once both of these things occur, the speaker has entered pairing mode, which means it is beginning to search for compatible devices. Keep in mind that the pairing procedure will only remain active for 5 minutes on a Sony speaker. While other brands allow the pairing procedure to continue until the speaker is paired, Sony limits this mode to 5 minutes, as it helps to preserve battery power.
If 5 minutes have elapsed and you have still not paired your speaker with a compatible device, you will have to start over again. When the procedure ends, you will notice that the LED indicator light beside the Bluetooth button will shut off.
Step 3 – Make Sure Your Chosen Device is Bluetooth Enabled
While it may sound fairly obvious, your Sony Bluetooth speaker will not be able to pair with your chosen device if the Bluetooth feature is disabled.
If you are attempting to pair a smartphone with your speaker, go into your phone’s settings menu and make sure that the Bluetooth feature is enabled. Both iOS and Android devices have a similar procedure for enabling Bluetooth connections, so it should not matter if you are using an Android smartphone or an Apple iPad.
Step 4 – Pair the Speaker with Your Audio Source
Now that the speaker is in pairing mode and Bluetooth is enabled on your chosen device, it is time to pair them together. The type of device you are attempting to pair with your speaker will determine the next steps. Depending on what device you have, you can follow the procedure outlined below:
Android Devices:
If you are using an Android device, go to settings and find the drop-down menu called “Pair New Devices”. From here, you should see the name of your Sony speaker listed under a menu titled “Available devices”. All you have to do is select the speaker, and you should have a choice to either pair or cancel. Press pair.
Within seconds, your Android device will connect to your Sony speaker, and you can start playing audio from your phone or tablet through your speaker!
iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, MacBook, etc.):
If you are pairing an iOS device, start by opening up settings. From the settings menu, select Bluetooth and ensure it is set to ‘ON’. Doing so will open up a drop-down menu that will display all of the compatible devices in the area.
You should see the name of your Sony speaker listed under the menu titled “DEVICES”. Select your speaker and wait until the word ‘Connected’ appears beside its name. If it asks for a passkey, use 0000, the standard code for any Sony device.
Windows Devices (Laptops, Tablets, Desktop Computers, etc.):
If you are attempting to pair your Sony speaker with your Windows device, start by pressing the Windows Key. From there, select Settings, then Devices. Select the option listed as ‘Bluetooth & Other Devices’ and ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
From here, click ‘Add Bluetooth or Other Device’. If it is in pairing mode, your Sony Bluetooth speaker should be listed as one of the available devices. Select the speaker by clicking its name, which will open a pop-up that will ask you to either ‘Connect Device’ or ‘Cancel’. After clicking ‘Connect Device’, your Windows device and Sony speaker will be paired!
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Troubleshooting Common Sony Bluetooth Speaker Pairing Issues
While Sony Bluetooth speakers are designed to be user-friendly and easy to pair with a range of devices, you might still encounter a few common issues during the pairing process. Here are some potential problems you may come across and their solutions:
1. Unable to detect the speaker on your device:
This can occur if your device’s Bluetooth is off or if it’s not in discoverable mode. Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on, and that your speaker is in pairing mode. If you’ve followed all the correct steps but still can’t find the speaker, try restarting both your speaker and the device you are trying to pair it with.
2. The speaker is connected but there’s no sound:
First, make sure the volume on both your device and the Sony speaker is turned up. If you’re still not getting any sound, it could be a problem with the media file you’re trying to play or the app you’re using. Try playing a different song or video, or use a different app to rule out these possibilities.
3. The speaker automatically connects to the wrong device:
In the case where your Sony Bluetooth speaker automatically connects to the wrong device, you can disconnect it manually from that device by going into the Bluetooth settings and selecting “Forget this device” or “Unpair”. After this, you can pair the speaker with the correct device.
4. Unable to reconnect the paired device:
If you are having trouble re-connecting your paired device, you may need to reset the speaker’s memory. This can be done by pressing and holding the ‘Power’ and ‘Volume Down’ buttons simultaneously until you hear a beep sound. After this, you should be able to reconnect your device.
Remember, if you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, it may be worth reaching out to Sony’s customer support for further assistance.
Final Thoughts
Once your Bluetooth speaker has been paired to your chosen device by following the steps outlined above, you will not have to pair them again! The speaker and the device will automatically pair when they are nearby each other and your device has Bluetooth enabled.
If you want to pair your speaker with another device but it is automatically connecting to a different one, you can simply open up the Bluetooth menu on the old device and disable the connection with your Sony speaker.
Remember, pairing your Sony speaker with a compatible device does not have to be nearly as complicated as it sounds. Fortunately, Sony speakers are incredibly user-friendly, so you should not encounter any problems if you follow the steps outlined above!
FAQs
How do I know if my Sony Bluetooth speaker is in pairing mode?
When your Sony Bluetooth speaker is in pairing mode, you will hear the speaker’s guidance voice say “pairing,” and the LED light next to the Bluetooth button will flash rapidly.
My speaker’s battery drains quickly. Is there anything I can do about it?
Yes. Sony Bluetooth speakers limit pairing mode to 5 minutes to preserve battery power. If your speaker is not in use, turn it off to save energy. Also, make sure to charge it fully before use.
Can I connect multiple devices to my Sony Bluetooth speaker at the same time?
Yes, some models of Sony Bluetooth speakers support a feature called multipoint connection, allowing them to connect with more than one device at the same time. However, remember that the speaker will only play audio from one device at a time.
