How to pair Bluetooth headphones or a speaker in Windows: connecting, sound output and troubleshooting

Steps

1. Turn on Bluetooth on the PCOn Windows 11, open <strong>Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices</strong> and switch the <strong>Bluetooth</strong> toggle at the top to <strong>On</strong>. A faster way: select the network, sound or battery icon on the right of the taskbar and turn on the <strong>Bluetooth</strong> tile in Quick Settings. On Windows 10, go to <strong>Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices</strong>, or open Action Center from the notification icon on the taskbar and select the Bluetooth tile.
2. Put the headphones or speaker into pairing modeTurn the device on and put it into pairing mode, the state in which other devices can see it. On most headphones you do this by holding the power or Bluetooth button for a few seconds until a light starts blinking; on earbuds with a case, the button is often on the charging case. The method varies by brand, so check the manual if you are not sure. If the headphones connect to your phone automatically, turn off the phone's Bluetooth for a while.
3. On Windows 11, pair from Quick SettingsSelect the network, sound or battery icon on the taskbar. Select the arrow next to the <strong>Bluetooth</strong> tile (<strong>Manage Bluetooth devices</strong>). When the name of your headphones or speaker appears under <strong>New devices</strong>, select it. Follow any extra instructions that appear, then select <strong>Done</strong>.
4. Or use Add device in SettingsOn Windows 11, in <strong>Settings > Bluetooth & devices</strong>, select <strong>Add device</strong>, then <strong>Bluetooth</strong> in the window that opens. On Windows 10, in <strong>Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices</strong>, select <strong>Add Bluetooth or other device</strong>, then <strong>Bluetooth</strong>. When your device's name appears in the list, select it, and select <strong>Done</strong> once pairing finishes. Some older devices ask for a PIN; it is usually printed in the manual and is often 0000.
5. Use the Swift Pair notification if it appearsWhen you put a device that supports Swift Pair into pairing mode near your PC, a notification may appear in the corner of the screen. In the first notification asking to allow the use of Swift Pair, select <strong>Yes</strong>, then select <strong>Connect</strong> in the new device notification. When pairing finishes, select <strong>Done</strong> on Windows 11 or <strong>Close</strong> on Windows 10. If no notification appears, pair using one of the two methods above.
6. Make sure the sound comes from your headphonesAfter pairing, Windows usually switches the sound to the new device by itself, but not always. On Windows 11, select the sound icon on the taskbar, select the arrow to the right of the volume slider and choose your headphones or speaker from the list. The same setting is in the output section at the top of <strong>Start > Settings > System > Sound</strong>. Play a song or video to test the sound.
7. Reconnect next timeYou only need to pair once. When you turn the device on later and Bluetooth is on, it usually connects by itself. If it does not, on Windows 11 select the Bluetooth arrow in Quick Settings and select your device in the list, or select <strong>Connect</strong> on the device's card in <strong>Settings > Bluetooth & devices</strong>. If the headphones are connected to your phone at that moment, disconnect them there first.
8. If the device does not appear, do the basic checksCheck in Quick Settings that <strong>Airplane mode</strong> is off. Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Make sure the device is charged, switched on and close to the PC, and that its pairing light is still blinking; some devices leave pairing mode after a minute or two. On Windows 11, setting <strong>Bluetooth devices discovery</strong> in <strong>Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices</strong> to <strong>Advanced</strong> shows more devices in the list.
9. If the problem continues, remove the device and pair it againIf the device shows as connected but gives no sound, or keeps dropping, open <strong>Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices</strong> on Windows 11, select the <strong>More options</strong> (three dots) button next to the device and select <strong>Remove device</strong>. Then put the device back into pairing mode and repeat step 3 or 4. For Windows' own troubleshooter, go to <strong>Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters</strong> and select <strong>Run</strong> next to Bluetooth.
10. As a last resort, update the Bluetooth driverIf nothing works, right-click the Start button and open <strong>Device Manager</strong>. Expand the <strong>Bluetooth</strong> heading, right-click your PC's Bluetooth adapter and select <strong>Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software</strong>. Then install any pending updates from <strong>Settings > Windows Update</strong> and restart the PC.