How to Connect Headphones to Your Samsung TV

The Three Ways to Connect Headphones to a Samsung TV

Samsung TVs support three main connection methods: Bluetooth wireless headphones, a 3.5mm headphone jack (on some models), and USB headphones. The method you use depends on what type of headphones you own and which ports your specific TV model has. Most newer Samsung TVs do not have a headphone jack, so Bluetooth is the most common route.

Before you start, check your TV's manual or the back and sides of the unit to see which ports are available. You will also need to know whether your headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, have a USB connection, or use a 3.5mm plug. Once you know what you are working with, the connection process takes just a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

Most Samsung TVs connect to Bluetooth headphones through the TV's settings menu under Sound or Bluetooth, where you put the headphones in pairing mode first.
If your Samsung TV has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the back or side, you can plug wired headphones directly in without any setup.
USB headphones connect to the USB port on your Samsung TV, though you may need to select them as the audio output in the sound settings.
Once headphones are connected, you can still hear sound through the TV speaker, or mute the TV speaker and use only the headphones—this setting is in the audio menu.
If your headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the TV and the headphones, then try pairing again.

Connecting Bluetooth Headphones to Your Samsung TV

Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode first. Most headphones enter pairing mode when you hold the power button for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks (usually blue or white). Check your headphone manual if you are unsure—some models have a separate pairing button instead.

On your Samsung TV remote, press the Home button to open the main menu. Navigate to Settings (the gear icon), then select Sound. Look for an option called Bluetooth Speaker, Bluetooth Audio Device, or Audio Output. Select it and choose "Search for Devices" or "Scan." Your TV will search for nearby Bluetooth devices for about 30 seconds.

When your headphones appear in the list, select them with the remote. The TV will pair with the headphones—this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. You should hear a confirmation tone in the headphones or see a "Connected" message on the TV screen. If pairing fails, restart both the TV and headphones, then try again.

Using a Wired Headphone Jack (If Your TV Has One)

Older Samsung TV models and some current ones include a 3.5mm headphone jack on the back or side of the unit. If your TV has this port, you can plug standard wired headphones directly in—no setup required. The TV will automatically detect the headphones and route audio to them.

Once plugged in, you can control the volume using your TV remote or the volume wheel on the headphones themselves, depending on the headphone model. If you do not hear sound, check the TV's sound settings to make sure the headphones are selected as the audio output device.

Connecting USB Headphones to Your Samsung TV

USB headphones plug into one of the USB ports on your Samsung TV, usually located on the back or side. Insert the USB connector fully into an available port. The TV should recognize the headphones within a few seconds.

Go to Settings, then Sound, and look for Audio Output or Speaker Settings. Select USB Headphones or the name of your headphone model if it appears in the list. If the headphones do not show up, try a different USB port—some ports on TVs are designed for specific functions and may not support audio devices.

Choosing Between TV Speaker and Headphone Audio

Once your headphones are connected, you can choose whether to hear sound through both the TV speaker and the headphones, or through the headphones only. Go to Settings, then Sound, and find the option for Speaker or Audio Output.

If you want sound through headphones only, select "Headphones" or "External Speaker." If you want both the TV and headphones to play sound at the same time, look for an option called "TV Speaker + Headphones" or "All Speakers." The exact wording varies by TV model and software version. You can switch between these settings anytime without disconnecting the headphones.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If your Bluetooth headphones do not appear in the TV's device list, make sure they are in pairing mode and fully charged. Move the headphones closer to the TV—Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet, but interference from other devices can reduce this. If the headphones still do not show up, power off both the TV and headphones completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on.

If the headphones connect but you hear no sound, go to Settings and Sound and confirm that the headphones are selected as the audio output. Also check the volume level on both the TV remote and the headphones themselves—sometimes one is muted or set very low. If you are using a wired connection and hear no sound, try a different port or a different pair of headphones to rule out a faulty cable or port.

For USB headphones that are not recognized, try unplugging and replugging the USB cable. If the TV still does not detect them, restart the TV and try again. Some older Samsung TV models may not support USB audio devices, so check your TV's manual to confirm USB audio is available on your specific model.

Disconnecting Headphones When You Are Done

To disconnect Bluetooth headphones, go to Settings, Sound, and Bluetooth Speaker. Select your headphones from the list and choose "Disconnect" or "Forget." The headphones will no longer automatically connect to that TV.

For wired headphones, straightforward unplug them from the jack or USB port. The TV will automatically switch audio back to the TV speaker. You do not need to change any settings—the TV remembers your previous audio output preference and returns to it once the headphones are removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect multiple pairs of headphones to my Samsung TV at the same time?

Most Samsung TVs can only connect to one pair of Bluetooth headphones at a time. If you want two people to hear audio on separate headphones, you would need to use a Bluetooth splitter or connect one pair via Bluetooth and another via the headphone jack (if available).

Why does my Samsung TV not have a headphone jack?

Samsung removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from most TV models starting around 2018 to make the units thinner and reduce ports. Newer models rely on Bluetooth or USB connections instead. If you have older wired headphones, you can use a USB-to-3.5mm adapter with the TV's USB port.

Do I need to pair my Bluetooth headphones every time I use them?

No. Once you pair Bluetooth headphones to your Samsung TV, they stay paired. The next time you turn on the headphones, they will automatically reconnect to the TV if Bluetooth is enabled on both devices. You only need to pair them once.

What if my headphones are connected but the TV speaker is still playing sound?

Go to Settings, Sound, and check the Speaker or Audio Output setting. Make sure "Headphones Only" or "External Speaker" is selected, not "TV Speaker + Headphones." If that setting is already correct, restart the TV and the headphones, then reconnect.

Can I use wireless headphones that are not Bluetooth?

Some wireless headphones use 2.4GHz or proprietary wireless connections instead of Bluetooth. These will not connect directly to your Samsung TV. You would need a USB receiver or adapter that is compatible with both the headphones and the TV's USB port.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.