Want to use Bluetooth headphones or earphones in Windows? Here is how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop or PC Bluetooth.
More often than not, the included laptop or PC speakers are pretty mediocre. After all, the only purpose for the included speakers in most cases is to fill the paper specs. Nothing more and nothing less. Not only that, but the included speakers are a disturbance to others.
To deal with this, you can use Bluetooth headphones are earphones. All you have to do is pair Bluetooth headphones in Windows and enjoy the crisp sound all to yourself. No need to worry about disturbing others.
The upside of using Bluetooth headphones is that they connect to the laptop/PC wirelessly via Bluetooth. That means no need to run a long cable from your head to the laptop. Since there is no cable, you can get up, walk a few feet, and stretch your legs without removing the headphones. Simply put, you will get freedom of movement even when your headphones are connected to the laptop.
To start using Bluetooth headphones, you need to pair them with Windows. Fortunately, Windows makes it easy to connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop or PC. All it takes is a couple of clicks, and you can use the Bluetooth headphones immediately.
So, without further ado, let me show you how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop or PC via Bluetooth.
Table of contents:
Important Note:
Before proceeding, make sure your computer or laptop has Bluetooth. Next, know how to get your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode. Typically, you have to press or press and hold the pairing button on the headphones to activate the pairing mode. I recommend you consult the Bluetooth headphones’ user manual.
The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.
Connect Bluetooth headphones to Windows
We can connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop via the Settings app. In fact, the Settings app provides a simple and easy way to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows. Let me show you.
- Put your headphones in pairing mode.
- Use “Win + I” to open Settings.
- Select “Bluetooth & other devices” on the sidebar.
- Click the “Add device” button.
- Choose the “Bluetooth” option.
- Click on “your device” from the list.
- The device should be paired and connected to Windows immediately if the headphones are in pairing mode.
- With that, the Bluetooth headphones are connected to the laptop.
- Close the Settings app.
- You should be able to use and listen via Bluetooth headphones.
Steps with more details:
First, put your headphones into pairing mode. As I said earlier, consult the headphones’ manual to know how to put them into pairing mode. Generally, pairing mode lasts for a couple of minutes. This time allows you to perform the below steps.
Use the “Win + I” shortcut to open the Settings app. You can also search for “Settings” in the Start menu or click the Settings icon in the Quick Settings panel.
Click the “Bluetooth & other devices” option on the Setting app’s sidebar. Click the “Add device” button on the right panel.
The above action will open the Bluetooth pairing window. Click the “Bluetooth” option in this window.
Windows now scans for available Bluetooth devices. If your headphones are in pairing mode, they will be listed on this screen. Click on your Bluetooth headphones on the list.
As soon as you click on your device, the Bluetooth headphones are paired and connected to the laptop. Remember that the Bluetooth headphones should be in pairing mode while Windows tries to find, pair, and connect to the headphones.
That is it. From now on, you can connect to the Bluetooth headphones from the Settings app. Just turn on the headphones and hit the Connect button. You don’t have to pair again. More often than not, Windows should automatically connect to the Bluetooth headphone if they are turned on and already paired.
Troubleshooting steps
1. Can I connect Bluetooth headphones to Windows laptop/PC?
Yes, you can connect Bluetooth headphones to a Windows laptop or PC. The only requirement is that your laptop or PC should have Bluetooth. To check if your laptop has Bluetooth, right-click on the Start menu and choose “Device Manager.” See if you can find the “Bluetooth” option on this screen. If you can, then your laptop or PC has Bluetooth.
Note: The Bluetooth drivers are not installed if you see a “Yellow” caution mark on the Bluetooth icon in the Device Manager. I recommend downloading and installing the Bluetooth driver from your laptop or PC manufacturer’s website.
2. How do I connect Bluetooth headphones in Windows?
To connect Bluetooth headphones to Windows, you should pair them first. Follow the instructions shared in this article to pair Bluetooth headphones with Windows.
After that, Windows should automatically connect to the headphones if they are turned on. If not, turn on the headphones and click the “Connect” button on the “Settings > Bluetooth & other devices” page.
Ensure that the headphones are not connected to any other device before trying to connect from Windows. Most headphones don’t support connecting to multiple devices at the same time.
3. I cannot see my Bluetooth headphones on the list of devices.
Make sure your Bluetooth headphones are in pairing mode. If the headphones are not in pairing mode, Windows cannot see or list them.
Generally, you can enter the pairing mode by pressing or pressing and holding the pair button on the headphones. If you cannot find the pair button, I recommend you consult the manual.
4. Bluetooth headphones failed to pair with Windows.
Ensure the Bluetooth headphones are in pairing mode and within the Bluetooth range. If the headphones exit pairing mode due to elapsed time, Windows cannot pair. In that case, I recommend you enter into pairing mode and try again.
5. Cannot connect to Bluetooth headphones after pairing.
First, make sure the headphones are turned on and fully charged. Next, ensure the headphones are not connected to another device(s).
If you cannot connect to the Bluetooth headphones even after that, I recommend you pair them again. To do that, remove the device from the Windows Bluetooth device page and follow the above instructions.
6. No sound from Bluetooth headphones.
Disconnect and reconnect. You might have to do this multiple times. This should often solve the ‘no sound from Bluetooth headphones’ problem. Alternatively, you can also remove and re-pair the Bluetooth headphones.
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That is it. It is that simple to connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop or PC.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
Image credit: HS You
