Your headphones acting up? Not pairing right? Doing something weird you didn't ask for? A reset is usually all it takes. Here's exactly how to do it. 

We've all been there. Your headphones won't connect, they're stuck in some mystery mode, or they just feel off. Before you panic, know this: there are two types of resets built into every pair of Skullcandy wireless headphones, and one of them will almost always fix what's going on. 

Let's break it down. 

THE TWO TYPES OF RESETS (YES, THERE ARE TWO) 

Most people don't know this, but Skullcandy headphones have two distinct reset options. They're not the same thing, and knowing which one to use matters. 

RESET 1: RESTORE TO FACTORY DEFAULT 

When to use it: Your headphones aren't pairing correctly, you want to clear out all previously connected devices, or you want to start completely fresh. 

What it does: This wipes everything back to out-of-the-box settings. All paired devices are cleared. Any customized settings you've saved? Gone. It's a full clean slate, exactly like the day you unboxed them. 

How to do it: 

  1. Make sure your headphones are powered on but NOT connected to any device. 
  2. Press and hold the MFB (multifunction button) or the joystick MFB for 6 seconds. 
  3. You'll get a confirmation indicator (usually a tone or LED indicator) that the reset has gone through. 
  4. That's it. Re-pair your headphones like new. 

Pro tip: Always check your specific model's documentation for exact confirmation cues since LED behavior and tones can vary by product. 

RESET 2: HARDWARE (HW) RESET 

When to use it: Your headphones are frozen, totally unresponsive, or acting so glitchy that a factory reset didn't even work. 

What it does: Think of this like yanking the cord out of the wall on an old appliance. It's an instant, forced shutdown that cuts power to the firmware and forces it to reboot from scratch. No gradual power-down, no saving states. Just a hard stop and a fresh start. 

How to do it: 

  1. Press and hold the MFB or joystick MFB for 10 to 15 seconds. 
  2. The headphones will abruptly power off. That's intentional. 
  3. Power them back on normally. 

This one is your break-glass-in-case-of-emergency move. It's not something you need to do regularly, but when your headphones are really stuck, this is the fix. 

QUICK REFERENCE 

Reset Type

Button Hold

What It Does

Factory Default

 6 seconds

Clears all paired devices and settings

HW Reset

 10 to 15 seconds

Forces firmware reboot, like cutting power


STILL HAVING ISSUES? 

If you've tried both resets and something still feels off, we've got you. Hit up Skullcandy Support and our team will help you sort it out. No judgment, just solutions. 

Shop Skullcandy Wireless Headphones → 

 
BACK TO THE FEED

FAQ

How do I reset my Skullcandy wireless headphones?

There are two reset options built into every pair of Skullcandy wireless headphones. For a Factory Default reset, hold the MFB for 6 seconds while powered on and disconnected. For a Hardware (HW) reset, hold the MFB for 10 to 15 seconds until they power off, then restart. Check your specific model's product guide for exact button locations and confirmation cues. 

What is the difference between a Factory Default reset and a Hardware reset?

A Factory Default reset clears all paired devices and reverts all settings back to out-of-box defaults. A Hardware reset is a forced firmware reboot, not a settings wipe. Use Factory Default when you want a clean slate. Use HW reset when your headphones are frozen or totally unresponsive. 

Will resetting my headphones delete my paired Bluetooth devices?

Only the Factory Default reset clears your paired device list. The Hardware reset reboots the firmware without wiping your paired devices. After a Factory Default reset, you will need to re-pair your headphones from scratch. 

My Skullcandy headphones are frozen. What do I do?

Hold the MFB or joystick MFB for 10 to 15 seconds until they abruptly shut off. That is the Hardware (HW) reset. Power them back on and they should be good to go. 

Where is the MFB on my Skullcandy headphones?

It depends on the model. On most over-ear headphones it is the main button on the ear cup, and on joystick models it is the center press of the joystick. Head to skullcandy.com/support for your specific model's guide. 

How do I re-pair my headphones after resetting them?

After a Factory Default reset, your headphones will enter pairing mode on their own. Open Bluetooth settings on your device, find your Skullcandy headphones in the list, and tap to connect. If they do not show up, power them off and back on to manually trigger pairing mode.