How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a PC

Bluetooth headphones are praised for their robustness and their ability to deliver quality sound without cables transmitting connections. The headphones industry has embraced this technology and has started producing it on such a mass scale that some companies are on the verge of exterminating the cable wire for good.

Bluetooth headphones are not only meant for smartphones but are also used in PCs. Here we will walk you through the steps on how you can connect the headphones to your computer without any hassle. Just make sure that your headphones are not connected to some other device and if it was connected with this PC, remember to remove it from the list of remembered Bluetooth devices.

Method 1: Using Settings (for computers with inbuilt Bluetooth)

We will use Windows settings to enter the Bluetooth menu and try connecting with your headphones. For this to happen, it is necessary that your headphones are in a ‘connecting’ state. If they are idle, the computer will not be able to connect.

1. Turn on your Bluetooth headphones. There may be a power switch present at the near bottom of the headphones.

2. Now you have to put your headphones in a ‘pairing’ mode. There will always be a method to put your headphones in the pairing mode. For some headphones, you have to keep pressing the volume button or for some, you have to keep pressing the buttons on the cable. Refer to your user manual to find out the exact details. In short, you have to make the headphones ‘discoverable’.

3. Press Windows + S, type “Settings” in the dialogue box and open the application.
4. Once in Settings, click on the sub-heading of Devices.

5. Here all the currently connected devices will be listed. If you have once paired your Bluetooth headphones to this computer, it will also be displayed at the near end. Click it and select Remove device to get it off the list since we are going to establish a new connection. Select Add Bluetooth or other device.

6. Now click Bluetooth from the list of connecting options.

7. The computer will now start searching for the Bluetooth transmitting its signal. Once it is visible, click it and Windows will not connect your headphones. Wear your device and enjoy the sound!

Note: Make sure that you press the button on your headphones long enough for it to go into pairing mode.

Method 2: Using an external adapter (for computers with no inbuilt Bluetooth)

If you are using proper workstations or custom made rigs, there are chances that you don’t have the inbuilt Bluetooth technology installed. Either you can purchase and install a proper module inside your motherboard, install the drivers, and then try connecting using the method listed above. Either this or you can purchase Bluetooth USB devices which give you the connectivity required using just a USB.

These modules are very common and cheap and are accessible in almost every major computer shop. Insert the USB module inside your computer, and restart it. Also, make sure that the drivers are inserted before you move on to following Method 1 for the connection.

Method 3: Check for discoverable modes (Troubleshooting)

If you are unable to connect to your computer using the method listed below or if the device isn’t showing up in the available Bluetooth devices on your computer, there are chances that you don’t have the correct discoverable mode turned on.

Some Bluetooth headphones have two types of discoverable modes. In the first mode, the headphones search for the last connected device and glow white. Since you haven’t connected before, this will eventually fail and it will return to normal mode. In the second mode, the indicator glows blue and here it is discoverable for all devices. Make sure that you have the correct mode enabled and then try connecting using the first method.

Method 4: Using Authentication (Troubleshooting)

According to some users, you have to select the option send or receive files via Bluetooth. If you are able to see your Bluetooth device but unable to connect to it, select your device and attempt to send some file (for example a small pdf files). Also, make sure that you check the option of “Use authentication”.

Even though Bluetooth headphones are not capable of receiving the files, this workaround serves the purpose of authenticating the device automatically and gets you connected in no time. This is a result of the poor connection module by Microsoft and needs to be fixed in the future.

Method 5: Updating Drivers (Troubleshooting)

If all the above methods fail to connect your headset to the computer, you can try and make sure that all the Bluetooth drivers are up to date without any outdated one’s residing on your computer. First, we will try installing the default drivers by uninstalling the device. If this doesn’t work, we will update it either using Windows update (automatic) or use the manual method.

1. Press Windows + R, type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialogue box and press Enter.
2. Once in the Device Manager, expand the category of “Bluetooth” and locate your hardware.
3. Right-click on it and select Uninstall.

4. Restart your computer completely. Come back to this window, right-click on any empty space and select “Scan for hardware changes”. The Bluetooth device will be detected and default drivers will be installed. Now check if you can connect.
5. If you still cannot connect, right-click on the hardware and select “Update Driver Software”.

6. You can use both options. If the first one doesn’t work, download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website and select the second option “Browse my computer for driver software”. Navigate to the file and install.

7. After installing the required driver, reboot your computer. Completely un-pair your device and pair it again. Now check if the problem at hand got solved.

Note: If all the above solutions don’t work, you should make sure that Windows is not assuming that your Bluetooth device has a screen attached to it. You should head over to [Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers]. The next part is very inconsistent; double-click on your device and select “headset type” and check the line “My hands-free device does not have a display”. Press Apply and hopefully the problem will go away. You may have to double-click a number of times before the popup shows up.

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