The Basic Steps to Pair Bluetooth Headphones
To connect Bluetooth headphones to a Samsung TV, you need to put your headphones in pairing mode, then search for them in your TV's Bluetooth settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on most Samsung models made in the last five years.
Start by turning on your headphones and holding down the power button or pairing button until you see a flashing light — usually blue or white. The light tells you the headphones are in pairing mode and ready to connect. Then pick up your TV remote, go to Settings, find Sound, and look for Sound Output or Speaker Settings. From there, select Bluetooth Speaker List or Bluetooth Audio. Your TV will search for nearby devices and show your headphones by name.
When your headphones appear on the list, select them with your remote. The TV will pair with them automatically. You should hear a confirmation sound through the headphones, and the TV screen will show "Connected" next to the headphone name. From that point on, your headphones will connect on their own when you turn them on near the TV.
Key Takeaways
- Put your headphones in pairing mode by holding the power or pairing button until the light flashes, then go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output on your TV remote.
- Your TV will search for Bluetooth devices automatically once you open the Bluetooth menu — your headphones should appear by name within 30 seconds.
- Select your headphones from the list and wait for the "Connected" message to appear on screen.
- Once paired, your headphones will reconnect to the TV automatically each time you turn them on nearby, without repeating the pairing steps.
Where to Find Bluetooth Settings on Different Samsung TV Models
The path to Bluetooth settings varies slightly depending on your TV's age and software version. On newer Samsung TVs (2020 and later), go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output > Bluetooth Speaker List. On older models, the menu might say Speaker Settings instead of Sound Output, but the idea is the same.
If you cannot find a Bluetooth menu at all, your TV may not have Bluetooth built in — this is rare on Samsung models but does happen on some budget or very old sets. Check your TV's manual or the model number on the back of the set to confirm. You can also look in Settings > General > About This TV to see your software version; if it is from 2018 or earlier, Bluetooth support may not be included.
Troubleshooting When Headphones Won't Pair
If your headphones do not show up in the Bluetooth list, the most common fix is to restart both devices. Turn off your headphones completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then go back to your TV's Bluetooth menu and search again. Many pairing problems disappear after a restart.
If the headphones still do not appear, check that they are actually in pairing mode. Some headphones require you to hold the button for a full five seconds, not just a quick press. Look for a flashing light — if the light is solid or off, the headphones are not in pairing mode yet. Also make sure your headphones have enough battery; most will not enter pairing mode if the battery is critically low.
If your headphones paired before but now will not connect, they may have paired with another device instead. Many Bluetooth headphones can only connect to one device at a time. Check your phone or computer to see if the headphones are connected there, and disconnect them. Then try pairing with the TV again.
What to Do If Your TV Has No Bluetooth
If your Samsung TV does not have built-in Bluetooth, you can add it using a Bluetooth transmitter — a small device that plugs into your TV's audio output and broadcasts sound to your headphones. These cost between $20 and $60 depending on the brand and range.
The transmitter plugs into your TV's headphone jack or optical audio port (a small square port labeled "Optical" or "SPDIF"). Once plugged in, you pair your headphones with the transmitter the same way you would with the TV itself. The transmitter then sends all your TV's sound to the headphones. This method works on any TV, even very old ones, but adds an extra device to your setup.
Switching Between TV Speakers and Bluetooth Headphones
Once your headphones are paired, you can switch between them and your TV speakers without unpairing. Go back to Settings > Sound > Sound Output and select either your headphones or TV Speaker depending on what you want to use. The TV remembers both options, so switching takes just a few seconds.
Some Samsung TVs also let you use both at the same time — sound plays through the speakers and headphones together. This is useful if you want to listen privately but also let someone else in the room hear the TV. Check your Sound Output menu to see if there is an option for "Dual Audio" or "Multi Output." Not all models support this, but it is worth looking for.
Why Your Headphones Keep Disconnecting
If your headphones connect at first but then drop the connection after a few minutes, the most likely cause is that they are moving too far from the TV. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls and interference from other devices can cut that in half. Try sitting closer to the TV or moving the TV away from other electronics like routers or microwaves.
Another common cause is low battery on the headphones. When the battery gets very low, Bluetooth connections become unstable and drop frequently. Charge your headphones fully and try again. If they still disconnect, the headphones themselves may have a hardware problem, especially if they are several years old.
If the disconnections started after a TV software update, try unpair the headphones completely and pair them again from scratch. Sometimes a software update changes how the TV handles Bluetooth, and re-pairing fixes the issue. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output, find your headphones in the list, and look for a "Remove" or "Forget" option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple pairs of Bluetooth headphones on the same Samsung TV?
No, Samsung TVs can only connect to one pair of Bluetooth headphones at a time. If you want to pair a second pair, you will need to unpair the first set. However, you can pair multiple headphones to the TV — the TV remembers them — and switch between them in the Sound Output menu whenever you want.
Why does my TV not find my headphones even though they are in pairing mode?
The most common reason is that your headphones are already paired with another device like a phone or laptop. Bluetooth headphones typically connect to only one device at a time, so disconnect them from the other device first. Also check that your headphones are actually in pairing mode by looking for a flashing light — some headphones require a five-second button hold, not a quick press.
Do I need to pair my headphones every time I use them?
No. Once you pair them the first time, your TV remembers them. The next time you turn on your headphones near the TV, they will connect automatically. You only need to go through the pairing steps once, unless you unpair them or pair them with a different device.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speakers at the same time?
Some Samsung TVs support dual audio, which plays sound through both the headphones and speakers. Check your Sound Output menu to see if this option is available on your model. If it is not, you will have to choose one or the other.
What if my Samsung TV is too old to have Bluetooth?
You can buy a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into your TV's headphone jack or optical audio port. The transmitter broadcasts your TV's sound to your headphones. These devices cost $20 to $60 and work with any TV, regardless of age.