How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Your PC

If you want to add a Bluetooth device to Windows 10 or 11, here's how to do it in a few easy steps.

Most people prefer wireless headphones because of the convenience they offer. You do not have to worry about wires and can use them on the go easily. However, connecting Bluetooth headphones to your computer is not as simple as plugging a wire into the audio jack.

If you recently bought new wireless headphones but are confused about how to connect them the right way, don't worry. In this guide, we will take a look at how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC in just a few steps.

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a Windows 11 PC

In this method, we will break down the process of connecting your Bluetooth headphones to your Windows 11 device in three steps.

1. Enable Bluetooth

There are two methods of enabling Bluetooth on Windows 11. You can either do it via Action Center or Windows Settings.

1. To enable Bluetooth via Action Center, click on the Quick Settings icon on your taskbar (or use the Win + A keys shortcut) and click on the Bluetooth option to enable it.
   
2. If you cannot locate the Bluetooth icon here, open Windows Settings by pressing Win + I keys.
3. Head over to the Bluetooth & Devices section and in the right pane, turn the toggle on for Bluetooth.
   

2. Enable the Headphone’s Pairing Mode

Pairing mode helps connect two wireless devices. Just like you enabled Bluetooth on your Windows 11 device, you need to enable the Pairing mode of your headphones to make it discoverable.

To establish a successful connection, make sure that your headphones are fully charged. The exact steps of turning on this mode will differ in different headphones so if you do not know how to enable the Pairing mode, we suggest looking at the user manual or researching the steps on the official website of the manufacturer.

If you are using Apple AirPods but are experiencing difficulty pairing them, you can read our guide on what to do when your AirPods won't go into pairing mode to proceed.

3. Add Your Bluetooth Device

Once you have enabled Bluetooth and pairing mode, it is time to add your device to your Windows 11 PC. Here's how to do that:

1. In the Bluetooth & Devices section of Windows settings, locate and click on the Add device button in the right pane.
   
2. In the following window, click on Bluetooth.
   
3. You should now see your Bluetooth headphones on the list of available devices. Click on it.
   
4. If a User Account Control prompt appears, confirm your action. Both the devices should be connected now.

The connected devices will appear in the Bluetooth & devices section of Windows settings.

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Your Windows 10 PC

The steps of connecting your Bluetooth headphones to Windows 10 differ slightly from the steps we described above. If you are a Windows 10 user, follow these steps to proceed:

1. Enable Bluetooth

Like Windows 11, you have the option to enable Bluetooth via both the Action Center and Windows Settings.

1. Press Win + A keys to open the Action Center and click on the Bluetooth icon in the tray to enable the feature.
   
2. If you cannot locate this icon, press Win + I to open Settings.
3. Click on Devices.
4. Choose Bluetooth & other devices from the left pane and turn the toggle on for Bluetooth on the right-hand side.
   

2. Enable the Headphone’s Pairing Mode

Once done, enable your headphone’s Pairing mode by following the instructions we have provided in the method above. Looking through the user manual can help you figure out how to do this.

3. Add Your Bluetooth Device

After you have performed the steps listed above, all that is left is to add your headphones. To connect your Bluetooth headphones to your PC, here is what you need to do:

1. In the Bluetooth & other devices section of Windows Settings, look for Add Bluetooth or other device option.
   
2. Click on it and select Bluetooth in the following window.
   
3. Now, look for your Bluetooth headphones in the list of available devices and click on them.
   
4. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt to proceed.

Your Bluetooth headphones should now be successfully added. Go ahead and test them to see if they are working!

Troubleshoot Bluetooth Problems in Windows

Typically, adding and using Bluetooth headphones in Windows is pretty simple, and the steps mentioned above should assist you in doing so. However, there are times when users face problems during the process.

If even after following the aforementioned steps carefully, you still have not been able to connect Bluetooth headphones to Windows or you are encountering audio issues, perform these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Your Bluetooth Device

Before we move on to some complicated troubleshooting methods, we recommend making sure that your Bluetooth device is working fine. You can try restarting the device and then connecting it to your PC.

Another thing that you need to make sure of is that the device stays close to your computer. Try to stay within 30 feet of the PC and check if you can use it now.

While you are at it, you can also try restarting the Bluetooth connection of your PC. Simply turn off Bluetooth in Windows Settings, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it on again.

2. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

In cases of issues with the hardware devices, you can also make use of the built-in Windows troubleshooters. In this case, running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is likely to help you.

This will scan the system for hardware-related issues and notify you if any problems are found. The troubleshooter also suggests fixes that you can apply to fix the problem.

3. Run the Bluetooth and Audio Troubleshooter

If you are having issues with the Bluetooth audio, then we recommend running the Bluetooth troubleshooter. Its working is almost similar to the troubleshooter we discussed above.

You must also make sure that the Bluetooth headphones are not connected close to any USB device in the USB 3.0 port of your computer. If they are, remove the USB device first and then try using the headphones.

Enjoy Music on Your Bluetooth Headphones

Now that you have connected your Bluetooth headphones successfully, you can listen to your favorite shows and music and enjoy. To make the experience more enjoyable, make sure you stay within the recommended range!