AirPods are a convenient Bluetooth device that can be used with compatible Kindles like the Kindle Paperwhite. Other Bluetooth speakers and headphones will work with Kindle Paperwhite, but how do you connect your AirPods to Kindle Paperwhite?
Go through the usual pairing process by first turning on Bluetooth on the Kindle and then putting the AirPods in the charging case and opening the lid. Go into the Bluetooth menu on the Kindle and see if the AirPods show up as a device.
Let’s look at how to connect Bluetooth devices to the Kindle Paperwhite, and also look at some common issues on connecting AirPods to a Kindle. There are some issues with pairing multiple Bluetooth devices but these can be easily fixed.
How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Kindle Paperwhite?
Bluetooth pairing to the Kindle Paperwhite follows the regular process that you would expect and thereafter saves the Bluetooth device to allow simple connectivity the next time.
First step is to enable Bluetooth on the Kindle Paperwhite by going to the main menu and at the top of the screen, tap on Settings. From here, you should be able to see the Bluetooth icon, tap on it to enable.
If you’re already in a book view, then pull down from the top of the screen to open up the menu.
The Bluetooth icon will be ‘empty’ or not shaded when off, and a dark/black icon when enabled.
To actually pair the Bluetooth device, go into the menu again and tape Settings then tap on All Settings. Go to Wi-Fi & Bluetooth and check the Bluetooth switch is set to ‘On’.
Next select Bluetooth Devices and you should now be presented with the Bluetooth Devices window. Turn on your Bluetooth device and see if it pops up in the list. If not, try hitting the rescan button at the bottom-right of the window.
Kindles can take either Bluetooth headphones or external speakers. I like the Bose Soundlink Headphones as they cover your ears and comfortably sit on top of your head, or you can try a Sony SRS-XB23 speaker if you don’t want headphones.
The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the Kindles that does support Bluetooth, but not all past versions of this Kindle does this, so make sure yours is compatible.
The compatible Paperwhites are the 10th generation onwards, but not 9th generation and below as they don’t have Bluetooth.
How to Fix ‘Could Not Connect’ AirPods Error?
Try powering down the AirPods and then turn them on again. Make sure the AirPods have enough charge, it may be worth putting them in the charging case until fully charged.
Sometimes it may be that you have too many devices already synced with the Kindle, so go into the Bluetooth settings as described above and remove any excess devices that you no longer use.
Try again, and if it still doesn’t work then remove all Bluetooth devices already synced to the Kindle.
Make sure any other synced or connected Bluetooth devices (apart from the AirPods) are turned off or unpaired.
When doing the pairing process, you can leave the AirPods in their charging case but make sure that the cover is open on the charging case. Ensure that the AirPods are charging by checking the status light which can be found between the two AirPod slots.
As a troubleshooting step, it may be worth going through and removing the AirPods from all their currently connected devices, by putting your AirPods inside the charging case and closing the lid.
Wait for around 30 seconds and then go to the Settings app on your device, such as an iPhone, and navigate to Bluetooth via the menu via the top. Tap on the info (i) icon next to your AirPods and hit Forget This Device.
You can also try resetting the AirPods by putting them in the case and closing the lid. Wait for around 30 seconds and then open up the lid. On the backside of the case, press and hold down the setup button and the status light will start to flash a few times.
The light will then start flashing white continuously, at which point the AirPods are reset and you can try pairing the AirPods again.
