How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Windows 10

To connect Bluetooth headphones to Windows 10, turn on Bluetooth on the PC, put the headphones into pairing mode, then open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Choose Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth, select the headphones when they appear, and follow any on-screen prompt. Pairing adds the headset to Windows; you may still need to select it as the audio output before sound plays through it.

Windows can pair headphones from the Settings app. The key detail is that the headphones must be discoverable while Windows is searching. Pairing mode varies by model, so use the headphone maker’s instructions if the button sequence is not obvious.

Before you pair

• Confirm that the PC has Bluetooth. Most laptops do; a desktop may need a Bluetooth adapter. Microsoft says a USB Bluetooth adapter can add Bluetooth to a PC that does not have it built in.
• Charge and turn on the headphones. Keep them near the PC during setup.
• Check the headphone manual or manufacturer support page for how to enter pairing mode. Some models use a dedicated Bluetooth button; others require holding the power or multifunction button until a light flashes or a voice prompt plays.
• If the headphones keep reconnecting to a phone or tablet, disconnect them there temporarily. Multipoint behavior depends on the model.

Connect Bluetooth headphones in Windows 10

1. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings

Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and switch Bluetooth to On. If the toggle is missing, skip to the troubleshooting section: Windows may not detect a Bluetooth adapter or its driver.

2. Put the headphones in pairing mode

Use the manufacturer’s pairing instructions while the headset is on. A flashing indicator or pairing announcement often signals that it is discoverable, but the indicator differs by model. Do not assume that simply powering on the headphones makes them visible to Windows. Keep them close to the computer and leave pairing mode active while you continue.

3. Add the headphones to Windows

On the Bluetooth & other devices page, select Add Bluetooth or other device. In the Add a device window, choose Bluetooth. Windows searches for discoverable accessories; when the headphone name appears, select it and choose Pair if prompted. Accept any confirmation request on the headset or PC, then select Done if that button appears. Microsoft’s Windows Bluetooth pairing guide covers the same Settings flow for headphones and other accessories.

4. Select the headphones for audio

After pairing, open Start > Settings > System > Sound. Under Choose your output device, select the Bluetooth headphones. You can also select the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose the headset from the available output devices. Raise the Windows volume and check the headphone’s own volume controls.

If Windows cannot find or connect to the headphones

The headphones do not appear

Make sure they are still in pairing mode, then wait briefly or close and reopen Add Bluetooth or other device and search again. Confirm that Bluetooth is on, the headset is charged, and it is not actively connected to another device. If the PC’s Bluetooth toggle is absent, restart the PC and check Device Manager > Bluetooth for the adapter. Install a driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer if Windows does not recognize it; Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guide has additional checks.

Windows says “Paired,” but there is no sound

Pairing does not always make the headset the active playback device. Recheck Settings > System > Sound > Choose your output device, and check the app’s own audio-output setting if only one app is silent. If the headset is selected but still has no audio, toggle Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, and turn it on again. Microsoft’s Bluetooth connected-but-no-sound instructions also recommend confirming the selected output and checking drivers.

The device was paired before but will not reconnect

In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, select the headphones and choose Remove device. Put the headset back in pairing mode and add it again using the steps above. This clears the old pairing record and is useful when Windows lists the headset but cannot establish a connection. For Windows’ general add-device steps, see Microsoft’s guide to adding hardware in Windows.

If another Bluetooth accessory also fails to connect, troubleshoot the PC’s Bluetooth adapter first. If only the headphones have trouble, check the model’s manual for its reset and pairing procedure.