How to Turn ON Skullcandy Wireless Earbuds
By Robert Jones · 2021-11-19
Right, let's cut to the chase. Getting your Skullcandy wireless earbuds to fire up shouldn't be a drama, but with all the different models, it can be a bit confusing. My guide tells you how to power them on, pair them, and sort out any niggles. You'll be listening to your tunes in no time.
Right then, let's talk Skullcandy earbuds. I see a fair few folk struggling with these, wondering how to get them fired up. Honestly, it shouldn't be rocket science, but with all the different models knocking about, it can get a bit confusing. I've had a good few pairs in the workshop over the years, from the original Indy to the newer Sesh and Push models, and while the basics are pretty similar, there are always a few quirks. **Quick Verdict:** A bit of a faff initially, but once you know the trick, Skullcandy earbuds generally power on with a simple button press – just hold it until the light flashes. ### Who It's For * Casual listeners who want decent sound without breaking the bank. * Anyone needing something sturdy for the gym or a commute. * Folks who appreciate a bit of bass-heavy sound profile. * Those who don't mind a little troubleshooting to save a few quid. ### Who Should Skip It * Audiophiles chasing pristine, neutral sound. * Anyone who wants a completely fuss-free, "it just works" experience right out of the box. * People who get easily frustrated by fiddly buttons or inconsistent pairing. * If you're after active noise cancellation that rivals Bose or Sony, look elsewhere. ### Why Are We Even Talking About This? It sounds daft, doesn't it? "How to turn on headphones?" But trust me, it's a question I get asked more often than you'd think. Skullcandy, bless 'em, tend to have their own way of doing things. Sometimes the button placement isn't obvious, or the lights don't do what you expect. And if you've got a pair that's been sitting in a drawer for six months, flat as a pancake, getting them to respond can be a proper head-scratcher. It's not just you; it's the way these things are designed. I remember one bloke brought in a pair of Crusher ANC headphones – not earbuds, I know, but the principle's the same – convinced they were broken. Turns out, he just wasn't holding the power button long enough. Simple as that. A common issue, this.  *How to Turn ON Skullcandy Wireless Earbuds — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## The Nitty-Gritty: Turning Them On Right, let's get down to brass tacks. While there are a few variations, the general rule for most Skullcandy wireless earbuds is to *press and hold* the main button. We're not talking a quick tap here; think a good 3 to 5 seconds. You're waiting for a little LED light to blink or change colour, and often you'll hear a voice prompt saying "Power On." ### For Most True Wireless Models (Indy, Sesh, Push, Jib True, Dime, etc.) These are the little separate buds, no wires between them. Very popular these days, probably the most common type I get asked about. 1. **Out of the Case:** For most true wireless Skullcandy earbuds, they *should* power on automatically when you take them out of their charging case. The case acts as a sort of master switch. If the case is charged, and the buds have juice, they'll usually blink blue or white and then connect to each other, followed by your device if it's already paired. 2. **Manual Power On (If They Don't Auto-On):** If they're being stubborn, or if you've only got one bud out, you'll need to find the main button. This is usually the Skullcandy logo on the outside of the bud itself. Press and hold this button for about 3-5 seconds. You're looking for a light to come on – usually blue or white – and you might hear a "Power On" prompt. Do this for *both* earbuds if you want stereo sound. I had a pair of the original Indy buds that were a bit temperamental with the auto-on. Sometimes only one would fire up. A quick manual hold on the dodgy one usually sorted it. Annoying, but workable. ### For Neckband/Collar-Style Models (Smokin' Buds, Jib, Method, etc.) These are the ones with a wire connecting the two earbuds, often with a little control pod on the neckband. Simpler beasts, usually. 1. **Locate the Power Button:** On these, the power button is almost always on the control pod that sits on the neckband or along the cable. It's usually a distinct button, sometimes marked with a power symbol or just a single, larger button amongst volume controls. 2. **Press and Hold:** Just like the true wireless ones, press and hold this power button for around 3-5 seconds. You'll typically see a small LED light illuminate – often blue – and hear the "Power On" prompt. It's pretty straightforward with these. My old man uses a pair of Smokin' Buds for listening to the radio while gardening. He prefers them as they don't drop out of his ears as easily. He never has trouble turning them on; it's always that one button. ### For Over-Ear/On-Ear Wireless Headphones (Crusher, Hesh, Riff, etc.) While this article is about earbuds, the principle is identical for their bigger brothers. The power button is usually on one of the earcups. Press and hold for 3-5 seconds until the LED lights up. Simple. ## Pairing Them Up (The Next Step) Turning them on is one thing; getting them to talk to your phone is another. Once powered on, they'll usually enter pairing mode automatically if they haven't connected to a known device. You'll often see the LED light flash red and blue, or just rapidly flash blue. This means they're ready to be discovered. 1. **Enable Bluetooth:** On your phone, tablet, or computer, go into your settings and make sure Bluetooth is switched on. 2. **Scan for Devices:** Your device should start looking for nearby Bluetooth gadgets. 3. **Select Skullcandy:** Look for "Skullcandy" followed by the model name (e.g., "Skullcandy Indy," "Skullcandy Sesh Evo"). Tap on it to connect. 4. **Confirm:** You might get a prompt to confirm pairing. Accept it. The earbuds will usually give you an audio cue ("Connected!") and the LED will either go solid blue for a few seconds or stop flashing and just glow steadily. If you're having trouble pairing, try turning your phone's Bluetooth off and on again. Sometimes that little refresh is all it takes. I've lost count of the times that's fixed things in the workshop. ## Troubleshooting: "Why Won't They Turn On?" Ah, the age-old question. Plenty of reasons, usually simple ones. Don't panic yet. ### 1. No Power, Mate! This is the big one, 90% of the time. If they're flat, they won't do a thing. Charging is key. * **True Wireless:** Pop both earbuds back into their charging case. Make sure the case itself has juice (check the indicator lights on the case). Plug the case into a USB power source for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour. Sometimes, if they're completely dead, they need a good long sit on the charger to "wake up." * **Neckband/Headphones:** Plug them into a USB power source. Look for the charging indicator light – it's usually red when charging and turns blue or off when full. Give them a good 30 minutes to an hour. I've had earbuds come in that people thought were faulty, only for me to plug them in, leave them for an hour, and they fire right up. User error, not product error, often. ### 2. Not Holding Long Enough As I said, it's not a tap. It's a *press and hold*. Be firm, be patient. 3-5 seconds. On some older models, it might even be 7 seconds. It's not an exact science, just a bit of feel. ### 3. Reset to Factory Settings Sometimes, especially if you've had pairing issues before, a full reset is the answer. This clears out all previous pairings and can often resolve weird power-on or connection glitches. * **Most True Wireless:** 1. Disconnect them from your device's Bluetooth list ("Forget Device"). 2. Place both earbuds in the charging case. 3. Hold down the button on *each earbud* (while they're in the case) for 6-10 seconds. You might see a red flash, or the lights go out. This usually does it. 4. Take them out, and try pairing again. * **Neckband/Headphones:** The reset procedure varies *a lot* by model here. You'll usually need to hold down a combination of buttons (e.g., volume up + power, or volume down + power) for 5-10 seconds while the device is powered on. **Check your specific model's manual for this.** It's the one time I'll actually tell you to read the instructions! I had a set of Skullcandy Push earbuds that just wouldn't play nice. Wouldn't pair, wouldn't even turn on properly together. A full reset was the only thing that brought them back into line. Bit of a pain, but it worked. ### 4. Dirty Contacts This is more for the charging case issue, but if the charging pins on the earbuds or in the case are dirty, they might not charge properly, meaning they won't have the juice to turn on. A quick clean with a dry cotton bud or a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol (on the cotton bud, not poured directly on!) can sometimes work wonders. Just be gentle. ### 5. Firmware Glitch Rare, but it happens. If there's a Skullcandy app for your model, sometimes updating the firmware can fix these sorts of issues. Worth a look if nothing else works. ## Different Skullcandy Models & Their Peculiarities While the "press and hold" rule applies broadly, it's worth noting some common Skullcandy models and any slight variations. ### Skullcandy Indy Series (Indy Evo, Indy Fuel, Indy ANC) * **Power On:** Generally, they power on automatically when removed from the case. If not, a 3-second press on the Skullcandy logo on either bud does the trick. * **LEDs:** Blue flashes for pairing, solid blue when connected. * **Reset:** Forget device, place in case, then hold *both* touch areas for 6 seconds. You'll see LEDs go out, then blink blue/red. These are quite popular, and I find their touch controls can be a bit sensitive sometimes. Good sound for the price, though. ### Skullcandy Sesh Series (Sesh Evo, Sesh ANC) * **Power On:** Again, usually out of the case. Manual power on is a 3-second press on the main button (Skullcandy logo). * **LEDs:** Similar to Indy, blue for pairing/connected. * **Reset:** Unpair from device. Place both buds in case. Hold the button on *both* buds for 6 seconds until the LEDs turn off, then release. Re-pair. I've always found the Sesh a bit more robust in the hand, less fiddly than the Indys. Good solid little performers. ### Skullcandy Push Series (Push Ultra, Push Active) * **Power On:** Auto-on from case is standard. Manual power on is a 3-second press on the button on each bud. * **LEDs:** Familiar blue flashes and solid blue. * **Reset:** Unpair. Put both buds in case. Hold the multi-function button on *both* buds for 6 seconds. Lights will go out, then flash. Take them out, re-pair. The Push series, especially the Ultra, with its ear hooks, is brilliant for runners or gym-goers. Less chance of them falling out. ### Skullcandy Dime & Jib True * **Power On:** Out of case. Manual power on is usually a 3-second press on the button on each bud. * **LEDs:** Standard blue. These are often a single LED that does it all. * **Reset:** These budget models can sometimes be a bit trickier to reset. Usually involves forgetting the device, then holding the button on *both* buds for 4 seconds *while they are in the case*, then taking them out and re-pairing. Sometimes, for the Dime, you might need to hold them for a full 10 seconds *outside* the case until you see a flash. Read the specific manual for these, as they're a bit more variable. Honestly, for the price, the Dime is a decent little earbud. You're not getting Bowers & Wilkins sound, but for a tenner or two, they're perfectly fine for podcasts or casual music. Don't expect miracles, though. ### Skullcandy Crusher, Hesh, Riff (Wireless Over-Ear/On-Ear) * **Power On:** Dedicated power button on one earcup. Press and hold 3-5 seconds. You'll hear "Power On." * **LEDs:** Often a single multi-purpose LED on the earcup, blue for on/connected, red for charging. * **Reset:** Typically involves holding the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously for 5-7 seconds while the headphones are powered on and disconnected from devices. The Crusher series, especially the ANC, are quite something with that bass slider. Not for everyone, but if you like your music to rattle your teeth, they're a laugh. Turning them on is always the big button on the earcup, no fuss there. ## What to Do If Nothing Works If you've tried everything – charging, holding the button, resetting, cleaning – and they're still dead as a dodo, then it's time to consider a few other things: * **Warranty:** Is it still under warranty? Skullcandy usually offers a 1-year warranty. If so, contact their customer support. Be prepared to explain all the troubleshooting you've already done. * **Return Policy:** If you bought them recently, check the retailer's return policy. Sometimes it's easier to just swap them out. * **Last Ditch Attempt (Charger Swap):** Try a different USB cable and a different wall adapter. Sometimes a faulty charger can masquerade as a faulty earbud. I've seen it before, surprisingly often. * **Disposal:** If they're old and well out of warranty, and genuinely dead, please recycle them properly. Don't just chuck them in the bin. Most electronics shops have recycling points. ## Comparison Table: Common Skullcandy Earbud Features (Power & Reset) | Feature | Indy Series | Sesh Series | Push Series | Dime / Jib True | Neckband (Smokin' Buds) | Over-Ear (Crusher, Hesh) | | :---------------- | :---------------------- | :---------------------- | :---------------------- | :------------------------ | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | | **Power On** | Auto from case/3s hold | Auto from case/3s hold | Auto from case/3s hold | Auto from case/3s hold | 3-5s hold on control pod | 3-5s hold on earcup | | **Power Button** | Skullcandy logo (touch) | Skullcandy logo (button) | Multi-function button | Main button on bud | Dedicated power button | Dedicated power button | | **Charging LED** | Case LEDs/Bud LEDs | Case LEDs/Bud LEDs | Case LEDs/Bud LEDs | Case LEDs/Bud LEDs | Single LED on control pod | Single LED on earcup | | **Reset Method** | Hold both buds in case (6s) | Hold both buds in case (6s) | Hold both buds in case (6s) | Hold both buds in case (4-10s) | Model-specific (check manual) | Model-specific (check manual) | | **Auto Pairing** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (after power on) | Yes (after power on) | ## FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered ### Q: My Skullcandy earbuds only turn on one at a time. What's going on? A: This is usually a pairing issue between the two earbuds themselves. Try putting both back in their charging case, then taking them out at the same time. If that doesn't work, a full factory reset (as described above) is usually the best bet. It forces them to "forget" each other and re-establish their connection. Ensure your phone has "forgotten" them first too. ### Q: How do I know if my Skullcandy earbuds are fully charged? A: For most true wireless models, the LED lights on the earbuds themselves will usually turn off, or turn solid blue/green, once fully charged. The charging case will also have its own indicator lights that change colour or go solid when the case battery is full. Neckband and over-ear models often have a single LED that goes from red (charging) to blue or off (full). ### Q: My earbuds won't connect to my phone even after I turn them on. What should I do? A: First, make sure they're in pairing mode (usually indicated by rapidly flashing blue or red/blue lights). Then, on your phone, go to your Bluetooth settings and "forget" or "unpair" the Skullcandy earbuds if they were previously connected. Turn your phone's Bluetooth off and on again, then search for new devices. If they still don't appear, try a factory reset on the earbuds. ### Q: Can I use just one Skullcandy earbud at a time? A: Yes, most Skullcandy true wireless earbuds support "solo mode" or "single bud use." To do this, simply take one earbud out of the case. It should power on and connect. Leave the other one in the case, or just keep it powered off. This is handy for calls or if you want to keep an ear open to your surroundings. ### Q: My Skullcandy earbuds have no lights or sound when I try to turn them on. Are they broken? A: Not necessarily! The first thing to check is the battery. Put them in their charging case (or plug in the headphones) and leave them on charge for at least an hour. If they were completely drained, they might not show any signs of life for a little while. If they still don't respond after a good charge, then it might be time to look into warranty or replacement options. ## Final Word So there you have it. Turning on your Skullcandy wireless earbuds shouldn't be a battle, but with so many models and the occasional quirk, it's easy to get stumped. The main takeaway? **Charge 'em up, then press and hold that main button for a good few seconds.** If that doesn't work, a quick factory reset usually sorts out most of the gremlins. They're decent enough for the price, especially if you like a bit of bass, but sometimes they need a gentle nudge in the right direction. Don't throw 'em at the wall just yet; a bit of patience and these tips should get your tunes flowing again. Happy listening, folks!