How to Connect Headphones to Computer

With wired headphones

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 1

Check the connection type of the headset. Depending on the type of headset, you will see one or more of the following wires:

3.5 mm audio out – This is the standard audio jack on most headphones and speaker systems. The 3.5 mm jack is used to plug into the headphone port and is usually green. Usually, the 3.5 mm audio output port also supports sound recording (such as with a microphone).

3.5 mm microphone – Some headsets have a separate 3.5 mm jack for audio recording. This Jack is usually pink.

USB – The USB connector is flat rectangular and plugs into a USB port on the computer.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 2

Locate your computer's audio input. Laptops usually have 3.5 mm audio output ports located on the left, right or front of the chassis, while on desktop computers these ports are located on the front or back of the CPU case. The microphone port is usually pink, and the headphone port is usually green.

On laptops with uncolored connection ports, the audio input will have a headphone image next to it, and the microphone input will have a microphone image.

The location of USB ports on each computer is different, but will usually be near the audio ports.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 3

Plug the headset into the computer. Plug the headset cable into the appropriate location on the computer.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 4

Plug in the headset (if necessary). Most headsets charge via a USB port, however some headsets require an additional external power source. In this case, you need to plug the headset in (for example from a wall outlet). Once done, your headset is ready to be set up in Windows settings.

With Bluetooth headset

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 5

Turn on the headset. Press the power button on the headset to turn the device on. If the headset is not fully charged, you may need to plug it in to make sure the device doesn't turn off during connection.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 6

Open Start . Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen. The Start window will appear.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 7

Open Settings. Click the gear icon in the bottom left of the Start window.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 8

Click Devices . The peripheral device image option is in the middle of the Settings page.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 9

Click Bluetooth & other devices . This tab is located in the upper left of the Devices page.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 10

Click the Bluetooth switch if the Bluetooth feature is not enabled. This button is below the "Bluetooth" heading near the top of the page. Then, the Bluetooth function will switch to On.

If the Bluetooth switch is blue (or your computer's default color), Bluetooth is currently on.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 11

Click Add Bluetooth or other device . Tasks are at the top of the page. The Bluetooth menu will then open.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 12

Click Bluetooth at the top of the menu that appears.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 13

Click the pairing button on the headset. The location of this button depends on the headset model. Usually, above (or next to) the pairing button is a Bluetooth icon.

Refer to your headset's manual if you can't find the pairing button.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 14

Click the name of the headset. The device name will appear in the Bluetooth menu after a few seconds. The headphone name is usually a combination of the manufacturer's name and the headphone model number.

If the headset doesn't appear in the Bluetooth menu, turn off Bluetooth, then press the pairing button on the headset and turn Bluetooth back on.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 15

Click Pair below the headset name. The headset will begin pairing with the computer. Once connected, your headset can be set up in Windows settings.

Change Windows Sound settings

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 16

Open Start . Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen. The Start window will appear.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 17

Enter soundStart. The Sound sound setup application will be found on the computer.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 18

Click Sound . The speaker-shaped application is at the top of the Start window.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 19

Click the headset's name in the middle of the window.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 20

Click Set Default . Options at the bottom left of the window. Your headphones will become the default audio output option when connected.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 21

Click the Recording tab . The option is at the top of the Sound window.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 22

Click the headset's name in the middle of the window.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 23

Click Set Default . Your headset becomes the default audio input option (such as a microphone) when connected to your computer.

How to Connect Headphones to Computer Picture 24

Click Apply and then click OK . Your settings will be saved. So you can start using headphones on your computer.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 04 June 2024