Headphones to Windows · Connect guide
How to connect wireless headphones to a Windows laptop or PC
Sources checked · how we check
Pair the headphones once from Windows' Bluetooth settings, then check Windows is sending sound to them. Most "connected but no sound" problems are the output device, not the pairing.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Turn on the headphones and make them discoverable. The headphones' manual says how to enter pairing mode.
- Turn on Bluetooth: select the Network, Sound or Battery icon next to the time and date, and select the Bluetooth tile.
02 · Connect
Step by step, by device
Pair: Windows 11
Quick settings → Manage Bluetooth devices → New devices
- Select the Network, Sound or Battery icon, then the Manage Bluetooth devices arrow on the Bluetooth quick setting.
- Select the headphones under New devices.
- Follow any additional instructions, then select Done.
Pair: Windows 10
Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices → Add Bluetooth or other device
- Select Start → Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device, then Bluetooth.
- Select the headphones, follow any instructions, then select Done.
Swift Pair: pair from a notification
Headphones in pairing mode → Yes → Connect
- Turn on headphones that support Swift Pair and make them discoverable near the PC.
- If asked whether to use Swift Pair, select Yes, then select Connect on the notification.
Send sound to the headphones
Settings → System → Sound → Output
- Windows 11: select Start → Settings → System → Sound, and under Output check the headphones are selected.
- Windows 10: select Start → Settings → System → Sound, and under Choose your output device select the headphones.
- You can also select the Sound icon on the taskbar and choose the headphones as the output.
Source: Microsoft: fix Bluetooth connected but no sound on Windows
Remove and pair again
Settings → Bluetooth & devices → More options → Remove device → Add device
- Select Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices.
- Find the headphones, select More options (…) → Remove device.
- Put the headphones back into pairing mode, select Add device and choose them from the list.
Source: Microsoft: fix Bluetooth connected but no sound on Windows
If it still won't connect
On Windows 11, run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Check the headphones are on, charged and in range, and Airplane mode is off. Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds and turn it back on. If they connect but there's no sound, make sure they're selected as the output in Settings → System → Sound.
Frequently asked questions
My headphones are connected but there's no sound. What do I do?
Microsoft says to check Settings → System → Sound and confirm the headphones are set as the output, or pick them from the Sound icon on the taskbar. If that doesn't help, remove the headphones and pair them again.
How do I pair headphones that aren't showing up in Windows?
Put the headphones into pairing mode first, then look under New devices in the Bluetooth quick setting (Windows 11) or Add Bluetooth or other device (Windows 10).