The basic process: pairing and connecting
Wireless headphones connect to your PC in one of two ways: Bluetooth (built into most modern PCs) or a USB wireless dongle (a small receiver that plugs into a USB port). Most headphones use Bluetooth. The process is the same regardless of brand: put your headphones into pairing mode, then tell your PC to find and connect to them. Once paired, they reconnect automatically when you turn them on.
Pairing mode is usually activated by holding the power button for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks (often blue or white). Check your headphones' manual for the exact method—some use a dedicated pairing button instead. Once in pairing mode, your headphones broadcast a signal that your PC can detect for about 2 to 5 minutes.
The whole process takes about two minutes the first time. After that, your headphones will reconnect on their own whenever they're powered on and in range.
Key Takeaways
- Put your headphones into pairing mode by holding the power button or pressing a dedicated pairing button until the light blinks.
- Open Settings on your PC, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select "Add device" to find your headphones.
- Click your headphones' name when it appears in the list, then wait for the "Connected" status to show.
- If your PC has no Bluetooth, you can use a USB Bluetooth adapter (about $10 to $30) or connect via the USB dongle that came with your headphones.
- If headphones won't pair, restart both devices, clear old pairings from your PC's Bluetooth settings, and try again.
Pairing on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"). Go to Bluetooth & devices on the left sidebar. Click Add device at the top, then select Bluetooth. Your PC will search for nearby devices for about 30 seconds.
Your headphones should appear in the list with their model name or a generic name like "Wireless Headphones". Click the name to connect. Windows will show "Pairing" for a few seconds, then "Connected". Once connected, your headphones will appear under "Your devices" and will reconnect automatically in the future.
If your PC doesn't find your headphones, make sure they're in pairing mode (the light should be blinking). If the light is steady or off, they're not in pairing mode. Hold the power button again for 3 to 5 seconds.
Pairing on macOS
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Go to Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on—you'll see a toggle switch at the top. Your Mac will automatically search for nearby devices.
When your headphones appear in the list, click Connect next to their name. Your Mac will pair with them and show "Connected" once the process is complete. Like Windows, your headphones will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on.
Using a USB wireless dongle instead of Bluetooth
Some headphones come with a small USB receiver (dongle) instead of using Bluetooth. This dongle plugs directly into a USB port on your PC and creates a dedicated wireless connection. No pairing is needed—just plug it in, and your PC will recognize it as a new device.
Windows and macOS will automatically install drivers for most common dongles. If your PC doesn't recognize the dongle, check the headphones' manual or the manufacturer's website for driver software. read and install it, then plug the dongle in again.
Dongles are useful if your PC's Bluetooth is weak or unreliable, or if you want to use multiple wireless headsets on the same PC (each with its own dongle). The downside is that you need to keep the dongle with you if you move the headphones between devices.
What to do if your headphones won't pair
Start by restarting both your headphones and your PC. Turn off the headphones completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then restart your PC. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent pairing.
If that doesn't work, remove the old pairing from your PC's Bluetooth settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Your devices, find your headphones, click the three dots next to their name, and select Remove device. On macOS, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, click the X next to your headphones, and confirm removal. Then put your headphones back into pairing mode and try again.
If your PC still won't find your headphones, check that Bluetooth is actually turned on. On Windows, the Bluetooth toggle should be blue in Settings. On macOS, the Bluetooth menu should show "Bluetooth: On". If Bluetooth is off, click the toggle to turn it on. Also make sure your headphones have enough battery—most won't enter pairing mode if the battery is critically low.
Checking that your headphones are set as the default audio device
Once your headphones are connected, you need to tell your PC to send sound to them instead of your speakers. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar and select Open Volume mixer. Under "Advanced", you'll see a dropdown menu for "Output device". Click it and select your headphones' name. Sound will now play through your headphones.
On macOS, click the Apple menu and go to System Settings > Sound. Under "Output", select your headphones from the list. If your headphones don't appear, make sure they're connected by checking System Settings > Bluetooth first.
If you have multiple audio devices connected (headphones, speakers, a monitor with built-in audio), Windows and macOS will remember which one you used last and default to it next time. You can change this anytime using the same steps above.
If your PC has no built-in Bluetooth
Older PCs and some desktop computers don't have Bluetooth built in. You have two options: buy a USB Bluetooth adapter or use the USB dongle that came with your headphones (if they have one).
A USB Bluetooth adapter is a small device that plugs into any USB port and adds Bluetooth to your PC. They cost between $10 and $30 and work with any Bluetooth headphones. Popular options include adapters from Plugable, TP-Link, and generic brands sold on Amazon or at electronics retailers. Plug it in, wait a few seconds for your PC to recognize it, then pair your headphones as described above.
If your headphones came with a USB dongle, that's your easiest option—just plug it in and you're done. No pairing needed, and no additional purchase required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my headphones keep disconnecting?
Disconnections usually happen when your headphones are too far from your PC (more than 30 feet for most Bluetooth), or when something is blocking the signal (walls, metal objects, or other wireless devices). Try moving closer to your PC. If that doesn't help, restart both devices and re-pair them. If disconnections continue, your headphones' battery may be low—charge them fully and try again.
Can I connect multiple headphones to my PC at the same time?
Windows and macOS let you pair multiple headphones, but only one can play audio at a time. You can switch between them in your sound settings. If you want to use two headsets simultaneously, you'll need a USB dongle for each one, or use a third-party audio app designed for multi-device output.
Do I need to unpair my headphones when I'm done using them?
No. You can straightforward turn off your headphones and leave them paired. They'll reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on. Unpairing is only necessary if you want to pair them with a different PC, or if you're troubleshooting a connection problem.
Why does my PC say "Paired but not connected"?
This means your PC remembers the headphones from before, but they're not currently turned on or in range. Turn on your headphones and move them closer to your PC. They should connect within a few seconds. If they don't, restart your headphones and try again.
What if I lost the USB dongle that came with my headphones?
If your headphones support Bluetooth, you can pair them directly to your PC without the dongle. If they only work with the dongle, contact the manufacturer to order a replacement—most sell them separately for $10 to $25. Alternatively, you can use a generic USB Bluetooth adapter instead.