How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PC

Updated On February 14, 2021
By Harry Singleton

In Guides

Every day, more and more people are switching to the wireless convenience of bluetooth headphones for smartphones, PCs and laptops. Although the process of connecting wireless headphones to your computer may seem daunting, it is surprisingly easy. In this article, we will give you all the info you need for getting your laptop or computer to connect to the Bluetooth headphones. Simply follow the instructions below!

Check that your computer supports Bluetooth headphones

First of all, the most important step is making sure that your devices have built-in bluetooth technology so they can connect. Start up your computer with the power button so that you can begin checking. One or two of the steps will differ depending on the make of your device.

Checking Windows PC for Bluetooth connectivity:

Device managers on the Windows PC will let you know if Bluetooth is installed on your device. Here’s how to check:

  1. Select the STARTmenu (from the task bar)on your PC’s desktop.
  2. In your PC’s search box, type “Devices Manager”.
  3. Device Manager should appear in the list. Select it with your mouse .
  4. A window will appear. In it you will find Network Adapters. Expand this by clicking the arrow to the left of it.
  5. In the expanded list, look carefully for the word “Bluetooth”. If you find a device in the list with the word “Bluetooth” in its name, you are ready to continue with the next steps.

Checking Mac for Bluetooth connectivity:

It is slightly easier to check if a Mac can connect:

  1. First of all, select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
  2. From there, select Bluetooth – Bluetooth is installed if your Bluetooth preferences shows options that enable Bluetooth and make it possible for Bluetooth-enabled headphones to find your computer.
What if my Computer Doesn’t Support Bluetooth?

This is not a problem – you can still install Bluetooth manually using a USB port. Visit a trusted technology/hardware retailer and buy a Bluetooth dongle. This little gadget plugs into one of your computer’s USB ports. You can proceed with the next instructions once this has been installed.

Put your Bluetooth headphones into Discovery (or Pairing) Mode

Discovery Mode/Pairing Mode makes it possible for your computer to basically recognise that a Bluetooth-enabled device is nearby and ready to use. This might differ slightly for each headset manufacturer, but the step is always simple.

Usually, there will be a pairing button (sometimes this is simply the power button) on your headphones that you will need to hold down for several seconds. Indicator lights on your wireless headphones should start flashing rapidly (bear in mind that some headphones only stay in Discovery Mode/Pairing Mode for a limited amount of time before switching off).

Sometimes, if the headphones are new, they will go into Discovery Mode/Pairing Mode as soon as the power button is switched on. After this first time, you will need to hold down the pairing/power button for a number of seconds to activate it again.

Top tip: if the headphones have been used previously, make sure they aren’t still connected to another computer or smartphone. Bluetooth-enabled devices often connect automatically to smartphones and computers they have connected to previously.

Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to Windows PCs

The steps needed to connect Bluetooth headphones to your computer are simple. However, they differ slightly for both Windows and Mac. Below we will give detailed instructions for connecting Bluetooth headphones to a Windows system.

Windows 10 and Windows 8

Firstly, enable Bluetooth:

  1. Go to your Settings.
  2. Click on the Devicesoption.
  3. Click on the Bluetooth tab – make sure it’s been set to ON
  4. If you’re still having trouble, select the Advanced Bluetooth settings (or More Bluetooth options) which should be under Related Settings.
  5. The Bluetooth Settings window will open. There will be a Discoverysection under the Optionstab- check Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC.
  6. Hit Apply.

Secondly, pair and set up your device:

  1. Hit the STARTmenuon the desktop and selectSettings
  2. Click on Devices
  3. Select the Bluetooth tab. Click the Bluetoothbutton. This will enable the Bluetooth function.
  4. Select your chosen headphones and click the Pair option.
  5. Check that sounds are playing through your headphones. If they are, your Bluetooth headphones are connected!

Windows 7

Firstly, enable Bluetooth:

  1. Head to your PC’s Control Panel.
  2. Search for Bluetooth with the search function.
  3. Make sure the necessary functions are enabled by clicking the Change Bluetooth settings option. Allow Bluetooth devices to both find and connect to your computer, and make sure your PC alerts you when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect.
  4. Hit Apply.

Secondly, pair and set up your device:

  1. Hit the START menu and go to Control Panelagain.
  2. Click Devices and Printers (you might find this under Hardware and Sound) – click Add a Device.
  3. Check your headphones are in Discovery/Pairing Mode
  4. Find the headphones in the list of devices waiting to connect.
  5. From the Add a Device window, select your headphones. You will receive a Connecting to device notification.
  6. Your PC might automatically install some required drivers. You may also need to enter a code to pai (this is often just 0000).
  7. If you double-click your headphones under Devices and Printers, you will be able to select the option to use your headphones to listen to music or take VoIP calls.
  8. Right-click the sound icon in the taskbar. Select Playbackdevices and check that the Default Playback Device is your headphones. The Bluetooth headphones should now be ready.

Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to an Apple Mac

This final part of the article will explain how to connect your new headphones to a Mac.

Firstly, enable Bluetooth:

  1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences. Click Bluetooth. Your headphones will now be able to “discover” your Mac.
  2. You can also click the Bluetooth icon in the top menu bar, if you have this option. From here, make sure you enable Bluetooth in the drop down menu.

Secondly, pair and set up your device:

  1. After putting your headphones into Discovery/Pairing Mode (see earlier step), they will appear in your Mac’s Bluetooth list. You might have to scroll down it to find them.
  2. Select your headphones from the list. Hit the Pairbutton.
  3. In your Sound settings, select your headphones as the device for audio output. Your headphones should be ready to go.

Some Bluetooth connection Troubleshooting tips:

If you are still having some trouble connecting your headphones, try the tips below.

  1. Make sure Airplane Mode is OFF on your PC. Your Bluetooth will not work in Airplane Mode.
  2. Try turning Bluetooth OFF and switching it back ON again.
  3. Check that your Bluetooth drivers don’t need to be updated.

And there you have it – everything you need to know in order to master the basics of Bluetooth headphones! Be sure to follow us on our page and check back at our website for more useful content and articles.