If your phone suddenly restarts only when Bluetooth headphones are connected, you’re not imagining it. This usually points to a software conflict rather than a hardware failure. In most cases, the restart happens because of a Bluetooth service crash, a buggy system update, or an app interfering with audio connections.
The good news is that this problem is often fixable without resetting your entire phone. Start with the steps below, in order. Most users solve it within the first few fixes.
Remove and reconnect the headphones
Bluetooth pairing data can become unstable over time, especially after system updates. When the phone tries to reconnect automatically, the connection process may fail and trigger a system restart.
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Tap your headphones’ name.
- Select Forget or Unpair.
- Restart your phone once manually.
- Pair the headphones again like a new device.
This clears corrupted connection profiles that often cause random reboots.
Check for system updates
Bluetooth bugs are surprisingly common after OS updates. Manufacturers usually fix them quietly in later patches.
- Go to Settings → Software Update.
- Install any available update.
- Restart the phone after installation, even if it doesn’t ask you to.
If the problem started recently, this step matters more than it seems.
Clear Bluetooth system cache (Android)
On Android devices, the Bluetooth service runs in the background constantly. A damaged cache can cause the service to crash, and some phones respond by rebooting automatically.
- Open Settings → Apps.
- Show System Apps.
- Find Bluetooth or Bluetooth Share.
- Tap Storage.
- Select Clear Cache (not Clear Data).
Restart the phone afterward and reconnect your headphones.
Disable audio-related apps temporarily
Equalizers, sound boosters, recording apps, or gaming overlays sometimes hook into the audio system. When Bluetooth audio activates, two services may compete for control, which can crash the system process.
Try disabling or uninstalling recently installed audio or utility apps, then test the headphones again. If the restarts stop, you’ve found the conflict.
Reset network settings
If Bluetooth instability continues, resetting network settings can help. This refreshes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile connection configurations without deleting personal files.
- Go to Settings → General Management (or System).
- Choose Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
You’ll need to reconnect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices afterward.
Test with different headphones
This step helps narrow things down. If another Bluetooth device works normally, the issue may come from firmware inside the headphones themselves. Some older models struggle with newer Bluetooth versions and trigger connection crashes.
A practical tip
If restarts happen mostly when switching apps or receiving calls, turn off HD Audio or advanced audio codecs (AAC, LDAC, or aptX) inside Bluetooth device settings. Lowering the codec reduces system load and often stabilizes the connection.
If your phone stops restarting after these steps, the issue was almost certainly software-related, and no repair is needed.