A wireless gaming headset can be a great investment. Regular USB gaming headsets are cool and all, but nothing beats Bluetooth for simplicity and (almost) universal compatibility. Being able to pair Bluetooth headphones to most devices without having to deal with annoying wires makes them very convenient for gamers on the go.
But, there is something missing.
You can’t just plug and play when there is nothing to plug, right?
There is no need for panic. Bluetooth headphones aren’t that complicated to set up. I will provide a short and easy guide on how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your PC, Mac, or console.
Bluetooth/PC Compatibility
Before you start pairing your wireless headphones with your computer, you will have to check if your computer has a Bluetooth device built-in. If not, you’ll have to get a Bluetooth adapter to establish a connection between your PC and any Bluetooth device.
Here are the steps to perform the check:
Windows
- Press the ‘Start’ button and go to your search box
- Search for the ‘Device Manager’
- In Device Manager, click on the ‘+’ icon under ‘Network Adapters’
- Search for Bluetooth within the list of adapters
If your search is successful, then you have a Bluetooth adapter built into your computer and pairing your headphones will be easier.
Mac
- Click the icon in the upper left corner of the screen
- From the drop-down menu, choose the ‘System Preferences’ option
- Search for the Bluetooth icon
- If you found it, you have the adapter in your computer and you can continue setting up your headphones
If you don’t have built-in Bluetooth, you’ll need to buy a small device called a ‘Bluetooth Dongle’. It plugs into any USB port and it shouldn’t require any extra setup. Once that’s done, you can proceed to set up your wireless headphones.
How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PC
Pairing up your wireless headphones with the PC is an easy process, as you will see in the steps below. However, it is important to read the headphones’ manual first.
During the setup process, at one point you will need to turn on ‘Discovery Mode’ on your headphones, and you need to know how to do it. Usually, it is done by turning the headphones off and then holding down the power button afterward. This can vary from model to model though, so check your manual if that doesn’t work.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Headset to PC (Windows 7/10)
- Go to the ‘Start’ menu and enter the search box
- Search for ‘Devices and Printers’ and open it
- Put your headphones into discovery mode
- In the main window, choose ‘Add Device’
- Wait for the computer to find and recognize the device
- Choose the headphones from the list
- Your PC will automatically pair the headphones and notify you when they’re ready to use
How to Connect a Bluetooth Headset to Mac
- Click on the icon in the upper left corner of the screen
- From the drop-down menu, choose ‘System Preferences’
- Put your headphones into discovery mode
- Within ‘System Preferences,’ choose the ‘Bluetooth’ icon
- Wait for the computer to find and recognize the device
- Choose the headphones from the list
- Your Mac will automatically pair the headphones and notify you when they’re ready to use
If you have trouble pairing your headphones, consult the manual and make sure you the headphones are in pairing mode. If you still have problems, restart the computer and try again. Alternatively, contact the retailer/manufacturer, as your Bluetooth headset might be faulty.
How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4
If you own a PS4, you should check headphones for compatibility before you buy them. Alternatively, take a look at the best headset for PS4 and grab it.
Follow these steps to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your PS4:
- Put the headphones in discovery mode
- Go to ‘Settings’ on your PS
- Go to ‘Devices’ and then choose ‘Bluetooth Devices’
- Wait for the console to find and recognize your headphones
The console will automatically pair with the headphones and display a notification. Your headphones are ready to use.
In case your console did not display the headphones on the list of found devices, restart the headphones and console, then try the process again.
If you have a headset that isn’t officially compatible with the PS4, they might still work. Try this:
- Connect your headset to your controller via a 3.5mm audio cable
- Turn on the headphones
- Enter ‘Settings’ on your console
- Choose ‘Devices’ and then ‘Bluetooth Devices’
- Select the name of your headset on the list
- Now go back to ‘Devices’ and choose ‘Audio Devices’.
- Choose ‘Output Devices’ and then select ‘Headset connected to controller’
- Select ‘Output to Headphones’
- Select ‘All audio’
- Start a game or movie to check if the process was successful
Pair a Wireless Headset with a PS4 via USB adapter:
- Plug the USB adapter into the console. Turn on the device and make sure that the console can recognize it.
- Enter ‘Settings’ on your PS.
- Go to ‘Devices’ and choose ‘Audio Devices.’
- Choose the ‘Output Device’ option and select ‘USB headset.’
- Select the option ‘Output to Headphones’ and ‘All Audio.’
- Start the game to check if the process was successful.
Once again, these are possible solutions and we do not guarantee that they will work. If you want to be sure that your headphones will work with your PlayStation, it’s safest to get a pair that’s officially supported.
How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One
Unfortunately, Xbox consoles do not support Bluetooth at all. However, you can go ahead and get some of the best Xbox One headsets if you aren’t on a tight budget.
The only possible solution is to connect the headphones to an Xbox controller via a 3.5mm audio cable. If your controller does not have a 3.5mm port, you will have to buy an Xbox One stereo headset adapter. That is a small adapter you can plug into your controller and it will enable you to plug in your headphones. In any case, wireless is not an option.
Final Words
Bluetooth headphones are very convenient to use and set up. They’re also very versatile, as they can be paired with any computer in a few steps.
On the other hand, consoles are, once again (as seen in our PC vs. console gaming guide), showing incompatibility as their downside. If you are a console gamer, you should always check for compatibility before buying any gaming peripherals.
Sources:
- 3 Ways to Use a Bluetooth Dongle, wikiHow
- Gaming Headsets Compatible With PlayStation, Sennheiser US