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Pair on Windows 11
- Put your headphones in pairing mode. This varies by brand – usually hold the power button for 3 to 5 seconds until an LED flashes blue or you hear a “pairing” voice prompt. Check your headphone manual for the exact method.
- On your PC, click Start, then Settings, then “Bluetooth & devices.”
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Click “Add device,” then “Bluetooth.”
- Your headphones appear in the list. Click their name to connect.
- The status changes to “Connected.” Audio now routes through the headphones.
You can also add devices from the quick settings panel. Click the network/volume/battery icons in the taskbar, then click the Bluetooth icon to turn it on, and click the arrow next to it to see available devices.
Pair on Windows 10
- Put your headphones in pairing mode.
- Go to Settings, then Devices, then “Bluetooth & other devices.”
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Click “Add Bluetooth or other device,” then “Bluetooth.”
- Select your headphones from the list.
- Click “Done” when they’re connected.
How to Enter Pairing Mode
| Headphone Brand | Pairing Mode |
|---|---|
| Sony (WH-1000XM5, etc.) | Hold power button for 7 seconds until LED flashes blue |
| Bose (QC45, 700, etc.) | Slide power switch to the Bluetooth icon and hold, or hold power for 3 seconds |
| Apple AirPods / AirPods Max | Put AirPods in case, open lid, hold setup button on back until light flashes white |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds | Put buds in case, open lid, press and hold touchpads on both buds |
| JBL | Hold power or Bluetooth button for 3 to 5 seconds until LED flashes |
| Beats | Hold power button for 5 seconds until LED flashes |
| Jabra | Hold the multifunction button for 3 seconds until LED flashes blue |
If your headphones were previously paired to another device (like your phone), they may auto-connect to that device instead of entering pairing mode. Disconnect them from the other device first, or consult the manual for how to force pairing mode.
Switch Audio Output to Headphones
After pairing, Windows usually switches audio to the headphones automatically. If it doesn’t:
- Click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
- Click the arrow next to the volume slider (or click the speaker name).
- Select your Bluetooth headphones from the list of audio output devices.
You can also set the headphones as the default output: go to Settings, then System, then Sound, and under “Output,” select your headphones from the dropdown.
Use Headphones for Calls and Meetings
Bluetooth headphones appear as two devices in Windows audio settings: one for stereo music (“Headphones”) and one for calls (“Headset”). The headset profile includes the microphone but has lower audio quality.
For video calls (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet), select the headset profile as both the speaker and microphone in the app’s audio settings. For music, Windows should automatically use the higher-quality stereo profile.
If audio quality drops during a call, Windows may have switched to the headset profile for all audio. After the call, switch back to the stereo profile by clicking the speaker icon and selecting “Headphones” instead of “Headset.”
This topic ties into our how to check CPU temp guide, which covers the next steps.
Check If Your PC Has Bluetooth
Most laptops have built-in Bluetooth. Many desktop PCs do not.
Check: Go to Settings, then “Bluetooth & devices.” If the Bluetooth toggle appears, your PC has Bluetooth. If there’s no Bluetooth section, you need an adapter.
Add Bluetooth to a desktop PC: Buy a USB Bluetooth adapter ($10 to $15). Plug it into any USB port. Windows installs the driver automatically. Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.3 adapters are recommended for the best connection quality and range.
Connect Multiple Headphones
Windows can pair with multiple Bluetooth devices, but it can only send audio to one set of headphones at a time. To switch between paired headphones, click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select the one you want to use.
Some Bluetooth adapters and sound cards support simultaneous audio to multiple outputs using software like Voicemeeter or Windows “Stereo Mix.” This is an advanced setup and adds latency.
Troubleshooting
Headphones not showing in Bluetooth device list. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (not just powered on – they need to be actively discoverable). Move the headphones closer to the PC. Turn Bluetooth off and on again on the PC. Restart the Bluetooth Support Service: press Windows + R, type “services.msc,” find “Bluetooth Support Service,” right-click, and select “Restart.”
Our guide on Samsung smart switch for Windows 10 goes into more detail if you need it.
Paired but no sound. Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and make sure the headphones are selected as the output device. Check that the volume isn’t muted on both the PC and the headphones. If connected as “Headset” instead of “Headphones,” right-click the speaker icon, go to Sound Settings, and change the output device.
Audio stuttering or cutting out. Move closer to the PC. Bluetooth range is about 30 feet but walls and interference reduce this. Remove the headphones from Bluetooth settings and re-pair them. Update the Bluetooth driver: open Device Manager (right-click Start), expand “Bluetooth,” right-click your adapter, and select “Update driver.” USB 3.0 ports can interfere with Bluetooth – try using a USB 2.0 port for your Bluetooth adapter or move the adapter away from USB 3.0 devices.
Microphone not working in calls. Check that the “Headset” profile (not “Headphones”) is selected as the input device in your call app’s settings. In Windows Sound Settings, make sure the headset microphone is not muted and the input volume is turned up. Some headphones have a physical mute button or switch – check that it’s not engaged.
Do AirPods work well with Windows?
AirPods connect to Windows PCs via standard Bluetooth and work for audio playback. However, they lack the seamless features you get on Apple devices – no automatic ear detection, no instant pairing, and the microphone quality in calls is lower than on iPhone. AirPods Pro noise cancellation works, but you can’t switch between ANC modes from Windows without the AirPods’ physical controls.
Is there audio delay with Bluetooth headphones on PC?
For music and video, Bluetooth latency is rarely noticeable (modern codecs like aptX and AAC keep delay under 100ms). For gaming, the delay can be noticeable – about 100 to 300ms depending on the codec. If you need low latency for gaming, use a 2.4GHz wireless headset (like SteelSeries or HyperX) instead of Bluetooth, or use wired headphones.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones and wired speakers at the same time?
Not by default in Windows – audio goes to one output at a time. You can work around this using the “Stereo Mix” feature or third-party software like Voicemeeter to split audio to multiple outputs simultaneously.
Sources
Microsoft – Pair Bluetooth Device | Microsoft – Fix Bluetooth Issues
