The write-ups here have been helpful to try and understand the potential solutions and why. With that said, I tried just about all suggestions with no success. I have the Note 20 Ultra phone with Galaxy Buds Live.
Here are my thoughts and solution that worked for me:
- coupling the earbuds method - didn't work for me since the left earbud was completely disconnected so holding that bud down didn't do anything since it appeared as if it wasn't there.
- dual media device - didn't work for me as well since the left earbud needs to be detectable in the first place.
- opening case, closing case, pairing, unpairing, taking one side out of the case before the other, reset app and inability to update the earbuds software - all didn't work for me. I did have over an hour call with Samsung call-center but as I just received the product new and ordered direct from Samsung, they didn't have any of that information and a lot of detail required but no resolution, I am waiting for a call back to receive a shipping label to send the product back for repair (not replacement initially although I thought it was a defective product sent).
As with everyone here looking for solutions, here's what worked for me and why I think it did. I followed the post that which discussed leaving the problem earbud (left) in the case and taking the working right earbud out, but here are the steps I did from the beginning:
- unpaired the earbuds from the phone and turned off bluetooth on the phone
- while leaving only the left earbud in the case, I charged it again (even if I did multiple times already but with both in the case); I used the charging cable with the lid open; before connecting the charger, I checked to see the red light was on; my thought was to ensure the earbud, although not detected, would charge - it did and the light turned green in about 1/2 hour (could have been less since I didn't watch it).
- turned on the phone's bluetooth and paired earbuds with the Galaxy Wearable app (still only with the non-working left earbud in the case)
- upon connecting to the earbuds, the app still showed the left one as "disconnected" while the right one was connected.
- I followed the prompt from the app to pair the earbud while in your ear; I took out the left earbud and placed only that one in my ear; I thought since the right earbud is already working and no issues, I need to resolve the left earbud since they are considered separate devices
- the app text prompt said while in your ear, tap/hold the earbud until you hear a beep in order to pair; I did this with only the left earbud in my ear while the right earbud I haven't touched during this whole process - left on the side outside of the case
- I heard the left earbud beep and then it paired with the phone; once this happened the app showed it as connected (the right earbud always showed connected)
- I immediately updated the software and now it works with no issues
I hope this is a helpful solution for others.
