How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Nintendo Switch

Use USB dongle in portable mode

Prepare a USB-to-USB-C adapter. Unless your wireless headphones support a USB-C connection, you'll need to buy a USB-to-USB-C adapter to listen in portable mode. You can find this adapter at technology or electronics stores, as well as popular online commerce sites.

Some wireless headphones come with a USB-C adapter. If you are not sure, check the documentation that comes with the product.

Click here for a list of headsets that likely work with the Switch, as well as those that definitely won't.

Connect the Joy-Con controller to the Nintendo Switch. If you haven't done so already, you need to slide each controller into the corresponding edge on the Switch.

The controller with the "-" button will be installed on the left, and the controller with the "+" button will be on the right.

Press the Switch's power button. This button is located on the top edge, right next to the volume buttons. You can also turn on the Switch by pressing the Home button on the right Joy-Con controller.

Connect the USB-to-USB-C adapter to the Switch. This port is located on the bottom edge of the Switch.

Turn on the headset. Usually, you can press the power button located somewhere on the device.

If your headset asks you to pair it with a dongle, follow the instructions included with your device. This process usually requires you to press a button on the headset or dongle.

Connect the headset's USB dongle to the adapter. The dongle that comes with the headset will have a USB port that fits into the adapter's USB port. Once the Switch recognizes the wireless headset, a USB prompt will appear in the upper left corner of the screen to notify you that audio from the Switch has been routed through the headset.

Use USB dongle when playing on TV

Disconnect the Joy-Con controller from the Switch. If your headphones come with a dongle that connects to a USB port, you can use this method to use your wireless headphones while playing on TV. First, you need to remove the controller from the Switch (if it is connected) by:

Hold down the circular release button on the back of the left handle.

While continuing to hold the button, gently slide the left handle up until it comes off the screen.

Repeat the above steps for the right handle.

Attach the Joy-Con controller to the grip or strap. Use the grip if you want to install a single controller, and the strap if you want to play with two hands.

Click here for a list of headsets that likely work with the Switch, as well as those that definitely won't.

Insert the Nintendo Switch into the charging dock. Place the Switch console in the dock with the screen facing the same direction as the Nintendo Switch logo on the front.

The charging dock must be already connected to the TV.

Turn on the Switch. You can press the house-shaped button on the right Joy-Con controller, or press the power button on the top edge (next to the volume buttons).

If the TV is off, you need to turn it on. If necessary, use the TV remote to switch to the input the Nintendo Switch is connected to.

Connect the USB dongle to the charging dock. There are two USB ports on the left side of the dock and one on the inside of the back cover. The Switch now supports USB audio, so you can connect the dongle to any available port.

Turn on the headset. Usually, you can press the power button located somewhere on the device. Once the headset is turned on, a USB volume control prompt will appear near the upper right corner of the screen. As soon as you see this message, audio from the Switch will start playing through the headphones.

If your headset asks you to pair it with a dongle, follow the instructions that came with the headset. This process usually requires you to press a button on the headset or dongle.

Use a Bluetooth transmitter with audio input

Prepare a Bluetooth transmitter with an audio input jack. If your wireless headset doesn't have a built-in USB dongle, you can still use it to listen to your Switch thanks to a Bluetooth transmitter with an audio jack. You can connect this type of transmitter to the Switch via the 3.5mm to 3.5mm AUX cable, then pair the headphones with the transmitter.

Click here for a list of headsets that likely work with the Switch, as well as those that definitely won't.

You can apply this method both when the Switch is in the dock or in portable mode.

Many transmitters come with the 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable you need. If you don't have an existing transmitter, you can buy more at electronics or technology stores.

Turn on the Switch. Press the button with the house icon on the right Joy-Con controller, or press the power button on the top edge of the device (near the volume button) to turn it on.

Connect the Bluetooth transmitter to the Switch. To do this, plug one end of the 3.5mm cable into the port on the transmitter, and the other end into the headphone jack located on the top edge of the Switch.

Put the Bluetooth transmitter into pairing mode. This process can vary depending on the model, but is generally quite simple as you just need to press the feature button and wait for the light to flash.

See your transmitter's manual if you don't know how to turn on pairing mode.

Turn on the headset. Usually, you can press the power button located somewhere on the device.

Connect the headset to the Bluetooth transmitter. As long as the headphones are within range of the Bluetooth transmitter, the two devices will automatically be connected. Some models may require you to press the pairing button. Check the instructions that came with your headphones to be sure. Once the connection is complete, you will be able to listen to audio from the Switch through headphones.

You can usually tell that the headphones and transmitter are paired if the lights on both devices stop flashing.

Kareem Winters

Update 07 November 2023