Your Beats won't show up on your Chromebook, or they're connected but the sound still comes from its speakers. Start with the pairing control for your Beats model, then connect through Bluetooth. The fixes below also cover sound routing, failed connections, and wired listening.
Put your Beats into pairing mode
Keep your Beats powered on near your Chromebook. For Beats Fit Pro, Studio Buds +, Powerbeats Fit, Powerbeats Pro 2, and original Studio Buds, leave the earbuds inside their open case. Hold the case’s system button until the indicator flashes.
Solo Buds use a button on the earbud itself. Leave both earbuds in the open case. Hold the button above the “b” on either earbud until you hear a repeating tone.
For Solo 4, hold the power button on the right earcup until the indicator flashes. For Studio Pro, hold the right-earcup system button until the indicator flashes; for Flex, hold the right control module’s power button until it flashes. New Solo 4 headphones enter pairing mode automatically the first time you power them on.
For Solo3 Wireless, hold the power button for five seconds until the Fuel Gauge flashes. On the current Beats Pill, hold the power button until the pairing tone repeats.
Pair through your Chromebook’s Bluetooth menu
Select the time to open Quick Settings. Open Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth. Select + Pair new device.
Select your Beats’ name from the device list. Complete any pairing prompts. Check that your Beats appear under Currently connected. You can also start pairing through Settings > Bluetooth > Pair new device.
Send sound and calls to your Beats
Selecting the audio output fixes sound going to the Chromebook’s speakers instead of your Beats. Open Settings > Device > Audio.
Under Output, choose your Beats using Device. Raise Volume to a comfortable listening level. Under Input, choose your preferred microphone using Device. The available microphones depend on your hardware and connection.
Use Mic test to check the selected microphone. If Google Meet still uses the wrong device, open its More options > Settings > Audio. Select your Beats in the Speakers selector. Choose your preferred microphone in the Microphone selector.
Reconnect saved Beats or use Fast Pair
Already paired these Beats with your Chromebook? Select them through time > Bluetooth > Previously connected > your Beats’ name. You don't need to create a new pairing each time.
Google Fast Pair offers notification-based setup on compatible Chromebooks. With Bluetooth enabled and supported Beats nearby in pairing mode, select Connect in the notification. If no notification appears, use + Pair new device in the Bluetooth menu.
Supported Beats include Solo 4, Solo Buds, Studio Buds +, Studio Pro, and original Studio Buds. Previously connected Fast Pair accessories reconnect automatically.
For an accessory saved to your Google Account, use the account associated with it. Manage saved accessories through Settings > Bluetooth > Devices saved to your account.
Restore a missing or failed Bluetooth connection
Charge your Beats before trying again. Keep them within 30 feet of the Chromebook and away from interference sources. Put your Beats back into pairing mode using the control for your model above.
If they still don't connect, open time > Bluetooth. Switch Bluetooth off. Turn Bluetooth back on.
For a failed saved connection, open Settings > Bluetooth > your Beats’ name. Check under Previously connected if they're listed there. Select Forget to remove the saved pairing. Return your Beats to pairing mode.
Pair them again through + Pair new device. If the connection still fails, restart your Chromebook. If your Beats connect but remain silent, check the volume on both the Beats and Chromebook.
Use a cable with compatible Beats
Solo 4 and Studio Pro support a 3.5 mm audio connection. Connect the included audio cable between the headphones’ 3.5 mm socket and your Chromebook’s headphone socket. Solo 4 supports passive listening without battery power.
These two headphone models also support USB-C audio, but Chromebook operation requires a compatible USB audio host. Connect the included USB-C cable between the headphones and a compatible Chromebook USB-C port. Beats documents USB-C audio for a compatible source device, so confirm that your Chromebook’s USB-C port carries audio output.
To select the wired connection, open Settings > Device > Audio. Under Output, choose the wired or detected USB audio device using Device. A charging port on another Beats model does not establish USB audio support.
Update ChromeOS and reset stubborn Beats connections
If pairing still fails after the connection fixes above, update ChromeOS before resetting your Beats. Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi. Open Settings > About ChromeOS.
Select Check for updates. Updates require a Chromebook that's still eligible for them; availability on managed devices depends on the administrator. After the download, select Restart in the update notification.
If pairing still fails, use the reset procedure for your exact Beats model below. Reset controls and timing differ from pairing mode. For Fit Pro, Powerbeats Fit, Studio Buds +, or Powerbeats Pro 2, place the earbuds in the open case. Hold the case’s system button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
For Solo Buds, leave both earbuds in the open case. Hold both earbud buttons for at least 10 seconds.
For Solo 4, hold volume-down and power for 10 seconds, releasing when the indicator flashes red and white. For Studio Pro, hold the right-earcup system button for 10 seconds, then release. For Flex, hold the left volume button and right power button for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes.
After the reset, pair your Beats again through time > Bluetooth > + Pair new device. If resetting doesn't help, try updating Beats firmware using a supported iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Android device. On a school or work Chromebook with restricted Bluetooth, ask your administrator for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Beats app or a driver to connect to a Chromebook?
No. Standard Bluetooth pairing uses ChromeOS settings without the Beats app or a separate Beats driver download.
Why can't a website use my connected Beats microphone?
Microphone access must be enabled for the system and the website. Open Settings > Privacy and security > Privacy controls. Turn on Microphone access. Permit the intended app. On the meeting website, select View site information in Chrome’s address bar. Enable Microphone. If your Chromebook has a physical microphone switch, turn it on.
Can I update Beats firmware directly on a Chromebook?
Apple’s Update Beats guide covers an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the Android Beats app, and publishes no Chromebook procedure. For an Android update, connect your Beats to a supported, updated Android device connected to Wi-Fi. Open the Beats app. Tap Update when offered.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for opening Bluetooth settings?
On a standard US English Chromebook keyboard, press Alt + Shift + s to open the status area. Select Bluetooth. To find it through Settings search instead, open Settings, press Ctrl + f, enter Bluetooth, and select the matching setting.