How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a PC

Wireless headphones are becoming more popular. And while it’s easy to connect them to your mobile phone, understanding how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a PC might be a bit more challenging. If you’ve just bought your first pair and are ready to enjoy music on your computer, our guide will help you activate them.

Requirements

Before using your Bluetooth, make sure you have the following:

• A computer that supports a Bluetooth connection
• Wireless headphones
• Enough time to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your laptop or PC

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a PC

Check if your computer supports your wireless headset—similar to many operating systems. Take the following steps to see if you have Bluetooth on your PC with Windows 10.

1. Search for Bluetooth in the Start Menu or Action Center (This feature is on your device if there’s an icon present.);

2. Click on ‘Bluetooth and other devices settings’, where you’ll see additional options to find a Bluetooth device—another window (‘Bluetooth and other devices’) will open;

3. Under Bluetooth, click to ‘On’;

4. Click ‘Add Bluetooth or other device’ (above);

5. Select Bluetooth. (If your headphones are not turned on, your computer will not find them.);

6. Once you turn on your headphones, your PC/laptop should automatically connect to the Bluetooth device.

7. Click ‘Done’—you should see your headphones on the list of connected devices.

Depending on the type of headphones, you could probably hear faint noise (via headphones) if they’re connected to your computer.

Follow these steps to connect your headphones to a computer with Windows 8.

1. Check if your computer supports Bluetooth;
2. Activate Pairing mode on the Bluetooth headphones;
3. Find/type Bluetooth in the Start Menu;
4. Go to Settings;
5. Select and connect the headphones.

Mac users should take the following steps.

1. Click the Apple Menu and launch System Preferences;
2. Go to the Bluetooth Menu and click the switch to turn Bluetooth on;
3. Put your headset in Bluetooth discovery (discoverable) mode;
4. Click Connect once your headset appears on the list of new devices;
5. Enjoy the calibration features. 

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Unfortunately, in some cases, your headphones won't connect to the computer. But fortunately, managing this is straightforward. When this occurs, you can check the following issues on your devices.

Compatibility

If you struggle connecting your Bluetooth headphones to your laptop or PC, check if you have Bluetooth features. Modern computers come with this type of connection preinstalled. But if you own an older device, it may not be included.

How To Fix

Visit the Action Center and see if there’s a Bluetooth icon showing. If not, your Bluetooth might not be turned on.

Go to the Start Menu and search for Bluetooth, or check the Device Manager and look for the Bluetooth icon.              

If there are no options, you can still proceed with adding Bluetooth to your PC by purchasing a USB Bluetooth adapter—install the drivers, and configure them. You’ll then be ready to connect various wireless devices.

Outdated or Corrupt Drivers

Drivers are the pieces of software that help your hardware successfully communicate with the operating system. Each hardware piece requires a driver, and so does Bluetooth. 

If you cannot connect Bluetooth headphones to your computer, your drivers might be outdated.

How To Fix

Your operating system should automatically update drivers for all hardware, but you might need to manually run Windows Update to get the latest drivers. 

If your OS is up to date, you can take the following steps.

1. Go to Device Manager;
2. Select a device from the list;
3. Right-click on Bluetooth;
4. Select Update Driver;
5. Search and select it to run manually;
6. Allow the computer to run you through the process.

You can also use third-party apps to update your drivers automatically.

Check Headphone’s Battery

If you forget to charge your headpiece, it may show some glitches or won’t work. Fortunately, this is one of the most straightforward fixes when connecting Bluetooth headphones to your computer.

How To Fix

Your headphones may indicate a low battery by a red flashing light or stop working, depending on the type. 

Simply connect your headpiece to a charger. If the battery is the reason your headphones won’t work, it’ll immediately start charging, and you can continue using them as usual.

Setup Needs Reset

If you’ve tried everything you know to do and your headphones are still not connecting to your PC, it could be a simple lag in communication between the two devices. Sometimes, a simple reset is all it takes for them to work again.

How To Fix

If your computer has Bluetooth installed, go to the Action Center or Start Menu, find its settings, turn it Off, and then turn it back On. If you use a Bluetooth adapter, remove it, then plug it back in. Reconnect your headphones, and you’ll be good to go.

Bluetooth ‘Forget This Device’ Feature                            

If your PC/laptop and headpiece still lag, you might want to use the ‘Forget This Device’ feature. This will help you connect wireless headphones to the computer and improve the chance they’ll work properly. By removing the device from the connection, you’ll reset the settings.

How To Fix

Go to the Bluetooth Settings, select your headpiece from the list of connected devices, and click Remove Device. This will remove them altogether—so you’ll need to connect them again. Still, it can improve how they work.

Losing Connection

Perhaps you know how to connect wireless headphones to your laptop, but you’re losing the sound. You might be too far from the computer, and the connection is interrupted or completely stopped. Fortunately, this is another easy fix.

How To Fix

Simply reconnect your headpiece. Remember, the range of your Bluetooth depends on its type. But most Bluetooth headsets that connect to a PC work well within a range of about 33 ft. (10 m).

Wrap Up

Using wireless headphones on your computer requires knowing how to set up the Bluetooth connection. Fortunately, most new PCs and laptops have pre-installed Bluetooth that you can turn on or off. But even if you don’t have this feature, you can purchase a Bluetooth adapter, which will have your headpiece working in no time.

If your computer can't find Bluetooth headphones, check the device drivers, the headpiece batteries, and overall compatibility. And sometimes, all you need to do is reset the devices.