How to Pair Bluetooth Headphones

With long-lasting batteries, enhanced performance, and wireless features, Bluetooth headphones are becoming more popular with average users. And pairing them to your device is pretty straightforward. However, users may struggle with figuring out how to pair Bluetooth headphones.

Whether the complication is due to the pairing mechanism of the Bluetooth headphone or an issue with the device itself, amateur and intermediate users may face problems connecting the Bluetooth device with the system.

This article presents a step-by-step guide that shows how to pair Bluetooth headphones with Windows OS, macOS, Android, or IOS devices.

How to Pair Bluetooth Headphones?

Two types of wireless headphone dominate the market, wireless headphone that uses RF (Radio Frequency) signals and the one that uses Bluetooth signal. Headphones that use RF signals are easy to pair, as you just need to connect the transceiver to the system.

Turn on Bluetooth Headphone

Depending on the Bluetooth headphone, you can either find a switch or a button to turn on the headphone. If it is a switch, simply set it to on. However, if the device has a button instead of a switch, you may need to press and hold the power button for a few seconds to turn on the headphone.

The LED on the headphone should light up, indicating that the headphone is on. If the Bluetooth headphone does not turn on, make sure it is fully charged. Charge the headphone if it does not turn on.

If the headphone still does not turn on, you might want to replace their battery. However, you can only change the batteries if you have a headphone with a removable battery.

Set It on Pairing Mode

In most Bluetooth headphones, pressing the power button once should set it to pairing mode. If this does not work, try searching your headphone for a button with a Bluetooth logo. This will unpair any devices connected to the headphone and set it to pairing mode.

The Bluetooth headphone should blink an LED light when it is in pairing mode. However, once in pairing mode, make sure that the headphone does not automatically connect to another previously-connected device in range. 

If it does, your device will not connect to the Bluetooth headphone. Therefore make sure that the headphone stays in pairing mode until you connect your device.

Pair Headphone And Device

Now that your Bluetooth headphone is ready to pair, you need to enable Bluetooth in your system/device. However, steps to enable Bluetooth and pairing it with the headphone may vary according to the OS or device you use. 

In Windows, 

If you are using a PC, you will need a Bluetooth adapter to enable Bluetooth on your PC. If you PC already has Bluetooth, follow the steps below to enable it and pair it with the Bluetooth headphone.

For windows PC,

1. Press the Windows + I key to open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth and devices.
3. Enable Bluetooth.
4. In Devices, click on Add device.
   
5. Click on Bluetooth.
   
6. Here, select your Bluetooth headphone. Both devices should automatically pair.
   
7. If you have previously connected the Bluetooth headphone and the PC, simply go to Bluetooth and devices.
8. Here, you will see a list of devices that you have previously connected. Click Connect on the device that you want to pair.
   

In MacOS,

1. Click on the Apple logo on the top-left of the screen and select System Preference.
   
2. Select Bluetooth, then click on Turn Bluetooth On.
   
3. Now on the right panel, under Devices, you will see a list of devices currently in pairing mode. Click on the headphone you want to connect and select Connect.
   

In ChromeOS,

1. In the lower-right corner of the screen, click on the area containing Wi-Fi/Ethernet and the time icon.
2. Turn on Bluetooth.
   
3. Click on the downward-facing arrow icon on Bluetooth.
4. Here, you will see a list of previously connected devices. Click on the headphone to pair the two.
5. If you are pairing it for the first time, click on Pair a new device.
   
6. Select your Bluetooth headphone to connect your ChromeOS to the headphone.
   

For Android Devices,

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth and enable it.
   
3. If you are pairing headphones and for the first time, search and select the Bluetooth headphone under Available devices.
4. Here, select your headphone. The two devices should connect automatically following a pairing conformation dialog box.
5. If your device does not detect the headphone, turn the headphone off and on again, and set it to pairing mode.
6. Once your device detects the headphone, it will prompt you to pair the two devices.
7. Click on Pair to connect the headphones to your Android device.

For IOS device,

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on the Bluetooth menu and Enable Bluetooth.
3. Under My Devices, you can see your headphones if you have previously connected it to the Iphone.
   
4. Check if your device lists the headphone under Other Devices if you are pairing it for the first time.
5. Once you pair the two device, check if your Iphone gives an audio output.