Sony WH-1000XM4 Touch Controls Not Working? (Let’s Fix)

sony wh-1000xm4 touch controls not working

Well, if your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch controls not working, then this guide will help you out!

We understand the convenience of the touch controls on your Sony WH-1000XM4 headset and the drawback of not having it.

So, in this quick guide, we will walk you through the best solutions you can try at home right now, and get your Sony XM4 touch panel controls working in minutes.

If your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch controls are not working, verify that the sensors are not disabled in the app, power cycle the devices, and try forgetting.

Also, reinstall the app, clean the touch surface and factory reset your headset.

How to Use XM4 Touch Sensor Correctly?

how to use xm4 touch sensor correctly

Before we start troubleshooting, it’s recommended to know the correct way of using the Sony WH-1000XM4 touch sensor commands.

Here’s everything you can do:

  • Listen to Ambient – Cover the entire touch panel with your palm.
  • Pause/Play – Double-tap.
  • Next Song – Swipe forward.
  • Previous Song – Swipe backward.
  • Fast Forward – Swipe forward and hold.
  • Fast Reverse – Swipe backward and hold.
  • Select a Point – Hold and release.
  • Increase Volume – Swipe Up.
  • Decrease Volume – Swipe Down.
  • Cancel Incoming Calls – Double-Tap.
  • Cancel Ongoing Calls – Double Tap.
Note: Some functions are strictly dependent on your source device, hence they might not work as listed on all mobile devices.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Touch Controls Not Working – Quick Fix!

Tip: Follow the steps chronologically!

1. Verify your Touch Sensor is ON

verify your touch sensor is on

Well, you might have accidentally disabled the touch control sensors on the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones through the Sony Connect app.

Hence, the first and most important step is to head to the application’s “System” settings and verify that the “Touch sensor control panel” is “ON”.

So, go ahead, open the Sony Connect app, select your XM4s, and tap on the “System” tab to reveal the settings.

Then, you’ll see the option right underneath the “Google Assistant” menu.

Quick Tip: We also recommend toggling OFF and ON the feature if it was already enabled!

2. Power Cycle the Source Device

If your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch sensor stopped working out of a sudden, know that this could be from your source device, not the headphones.

Hence, the next, quick and easy solution to try is to simply power cycle your source device by shutting it down for 60 seconds and turning it on.

power cycle the source device

If you’re using a smartphone, hold the Power button until the options appear, and based on the operating system, slide right or select “Shutdown.”

  • What’s important to note here is that you need to shut down the device, not only restart it, since this wouldn’t discharge the device properly.

So, after your source device has been off for about 60 seconds, power it on, wait until all services are back up, and test if your XM4 sensors work.

Quick Tip: While your source is discharging, also power cycle your Sony XM4 headphones!

3. Forget & Pair the Source Device

The method that has helped most people with non-working Sony XH4 touch panels is forgetting and reconnecting.

So, the next step is to simply unpair your source device from the Sony WH-1000XM4 by forgetting it entirely and re-establishing the wireless connection from scratch.

Note: This only applies if you’re facing sensor issues while connected wirelessly over Bluetooth!

How to Forget & Reconnect XM4 on iPhones?

forget & reconnect xm4 on iphones
  1. From the main screen, go to the “Settings.”
  2. Tap the Bluetooth section and turn it “ON.”
  3. Locate your Sony connection in the tab.
  4. Press the “i” (info) icon from the right side.
  5. In the next tab, select “Forget this Device”.
  6. Go back to the Bluetooth discovery screen.
  7. Find your Sony XM4’s profile and tap on it.
  8. Wait for a few seconds to get it connected.

How to Forget & Reconnect XM4 on Android?

forget & reconnect xm4 on android
  1. Head to the Settings → “Connected Devices.”
  2. Alternatively, navigate to “Device Connection.”
  3. Next, choose “Previously connected devices”.
  4. If you don’t see this, go straight to “Bluetooth.”
  5. Turn on the feature and locate your XM4 profile.
  6. Tap the “Settings” (gear) next to the XM4 profile.
  7. Lastly, press on “FORGET” or “Forget device.”
  8. Go back into the Bluetooth discovery menu tab.
  9. Find your Sony WH-1000XM4 and select them.
Note: If your Sony XM4 does not appear in the Bluetooth menu after forgetting it, press and hold the Power button for 7 seconds to enter pairing mode.

4. Uninstall and Reinstall Your App

In some cases, the Sony WH-1000XM4 touch controls stop working due to a problem with the Sony Connect application.

Hence, reinstalling the app will surely reset all the settings and solve any potential problems that are making your touch panel inactive.

How to Reinstall Sony Connect App on iPhones?

reinstall sony connect app on iphones
  1. Find the Sony Connect app on the home screen.
  2. Press and hold the app until the options show up.
  3. Select “Remove this App” and uninstall it entirely.
  4. Then head to the App Store to find the Sony app.
  5. Tap and hold the Cloud + Arrow button to get it.

How to Reinstall Sony Connect App on Androids?

  1. First, go into the Google Play Store on your Android.
  2. Tap your profile, and select “Manage apps & device.”
  3. Select “Manage” again and locate the Sony Connect.
  4. Tap the “Uninstall” button to remove it from the device.
  5. After a few seconds, tap “Install” to get the app back.

That’s it. When the application is cleanly downloaded on your phone, sign into your account and check whether your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch control is working. 

Note: If you see any permission prompts during the app installation, make sure to “Allow” them!

5. Clean Your XM4’s Touch Sensors

clean your xm4’s touch sensors

While it’s quite unlikely, a dirty touch control panel on your Sony WH-1000XM4 can cause weird behavior when trying to use basic functions. 

For instance, if you have trouble fast-forwarding, or you cannot adjust the XM4 volume correctly, perhaps there is a smudge, dust accumulation, or other obstructions on the touch panel.

Hence, the best next step is cleaning with dry tools such as napkins or a microfiber cloth.

So, wipe your touch control panel perfectly clean and test whether it will start working again!

If not, continue reading…

6. Avoid Any Extreme Temperatures

According to some people, if you’re unable to use the Sony WH-1000XM4 touch sensor panel when outdoors, this could be due to extreme temperatures.

When it’s freezing outside, and you are wearing your headset, the touch control panel might not respond properly or only partially.

avoid any extreme temperatures

If you’re trying to use the touch sensor with very cold fingers, you might have similar results, so the best thing to do is test the room’s temperature.

The same goes if it’s very hot outside and your WH-1000XM4 is nearly overheating, so one of the first things to stop working is the touch control sensor. 

So, avoid extreme temperatures! If your touch sensor is not working regardless, keep reading!

7. Reset XM4 Headphones to Default

If nothing helps and your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch control panel is not working, perhaps it’s time to perform a factory reset.

This method will not only unpair the headset from the app but will also provide you with the opportunity to perform a fresh pairing, which can fix the problem.

reset xm4 headphones to default

Here’s how to factory reset your Sony WH-1000XM4 headset in easy steps:

  1. If you are currently charging them, disconnect your USB-C.
  2. Then, locate the Power and the CUSTOM headset buttons.
  3. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously for 7 seconds.
  4. When you see the blue light flash four times, release them.
  5. Thus, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset is now fully initialized.

When you’re ready, you will need to pair the headset to the Sony Connect app as well as to your Bluetooth source device.

Then, you have the opportunity to test if the touch panel sensor works! If not, the issue probably comes from your Bluetooth source device!

8. Test Sensor With Different Sources

test sensor with different sources

If you haven’t tried already, the last thing you can do is test whether your Sony WH-1000XM4 headset touch sensor will work with a different device.

Well, you can use any Bluetooth-enabled unit such as a computer, smartphone, or even TV, as long as you can wirelessly pair your Sony.

If your Sony XM4’s touch sensor is working with a different device, then the problem was either related to the permission setting, or the Bluetooth connection.

Note: If your Sony XM4 touch sensor is not working even on a different device, perhaps there is a hardware malfunction, so try to claim your warranty!

Wrapping Up

Hence, if your Sony WH-1000XM4 touch controls not working, you need to ensure that the panel is enabled in the app.

Also, you might need to reinstall the Sony Connect app, clean the touch surface, and perform a factory reset on your headset.

We hope this guide was helpful, so follow us for more!