Yes, you can connect headphones to Roku TV, but the method depends on your TV model and the type of headphones you own
Roku TVs support three main ways to use headphones: Bluetooth wireless headphones, a 3.5mm headphone jack (on some models), and USB headphones. Not every Roku TV has all three options. The oldest Roku models may have only a headphone jack; newer ones typically have Bluetooth but no jack. Before you buy headphones, check your TV's specifications to see which connection types it supports — you can find this on the Roku support website or in your TV's manual.
The most common setup today is Bluetooth, which works on most Roku TVs made in the last five years. Wired headphones with a 3.5mm plug work only if your TV has a headphone jack, usually located on the back or side of the set. USB headphones are rare for TV use and require a USB port on your Roku TV, which not all models have.
Key Takeaways
- Bluetooth is the most widely supported connection method on newer Roku TVs, and pairing takes less than a minute through the TV's settings menu.
- A 3.5mm headphone jack exists on some Roku TV models but not others — check your TV's back panel or manual before buying wired headphones.
- Once headphones are connected, audio plays through them automatically, and you can still use the TV remote to adjust volume.
- If your Roku TV has no headphone jack and you want wired headphones, you will need a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into a USB port.
Connecting Bluetooth headphones to your Roku TV
Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and put them in pairing mode. The method varies by brand — some have a dedicated pairing button, others require you to hold the power button for several seconds. Check your headphone manual if you are unsure. You will usually see a flashing light or hear a tone when pairing mode is active.
On your Roku TV remote, press the Home button, then navigate to Settings. Select Remotes & Devices, then Bluetooth Devices. Choose Pair New Device. Your TV will search for nearby Bluetooth devices for about 30 seconds. When your headphones appear on the list, select them. The TV will confirm the pairing with a message on screen.
Once paired, your headphones will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near the TV. If they do not connect, go back to Bluetooth Devices, select your headphones, and choose Connect. If your headphones still do not appear, restart both the headphones and the TV, then try pairing again.
Using a 3.5mm headphone jack if your TV has one
Look at the back and sides of your Roku TV for a small circular jack labeled with a headphone symbol. On some models it is on the back panel; on others it is on the side. If you see one, straightforward plug your wired headphones in. The TV will automatically detect them and switch audio output to the headphones within a few seconds.
You may see a notification on screen asking you to confirm that headphones are connected. Select Yes or OK. After that, all sound from the TV — including apps, streaming services, and live TV — will play through the headphones instead of the TV speakers. The TV remote volume buttons still work and control the headphone volume.
If you unplug the headphones, audio returns to the TV speakers. You do not need to change any settings or restart the TV.
What to do if your Roku TV has no headphone jack
Many newer Roku TV models removed the 3.5mm jack entirely. If your TV has no jack and you want to use wired headphones, you have two options: buy Bluetooth headphones instead, or use a Bluetooth adapter.
A Bluetooth adapter is a small device that plugs into a USB port on your TV and broadcasts audio wirelessly to your wired headphones. Popular models include the TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and the Mpowerd Bluetooth Transmitter. These cost between $15 and $40. Plug the adapter into a USB port on your Roku TV, pair it with your headphones using the adapter's pairing button, and the TV will send audio to the adapter, which then sends it to your headphones.
This method works but adds an extra device to manage. Most people in this situation find it simpler to buy a pair of Bluetooth headphones instead, since they pair directly with the TV and require no adapter.
Troubleshooting when headphones will not connect
If your Bluetooth headphones pair but produce no sound, check that the TV volume is not muted. Press the volume-up button on the remote a few times. If you still hear nothing, go to Settings, then Audio, and look for an option called Headphones or Audio Output. Make sure it is set to Headphones or Bluetooth Device, not TV Speakers.
If your headphones keep disconnecting, they may be out of range. Bluetooth works best within 30 feet of the TV. Move closer and try again. If disconnections continue, restart the TV and the headphones, then re-pair them. If one pair of headphones works but another does not, the second pair may not be compatible with your TV model — check the headphone manual to confirm it supports standard Bluetooth audio.
For wired headphones plugged into a 3.5mm jack, make sure the plug is fully inserted. If you hear sound from both the headphones and the TV speakers at the same time, the TV did not detect the headphones properly. Unplug and replug them, waiting a few seconds between each action.
Using multiple headphones at the same time
Most Roku TVs allow you to connect two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously. This is useful if two people want to watch together without disturbing others. Pair the first headphones as described above. Then put the second pair into pairing mode and go back to Settings, Remotes & Devices, Bluetooth Devices, Pair New Device. Select the second headphones when they appear.
Both pairs will now receive audio at the same time. You can control the volume for each pair separately on some TV models, but not all — check your TV manual to see if this feature is available. If your TV does not support dual headphones, you will need to choose which pair to use, and the other will not receive sound.
Audio quality and latency considerations
Bluetooth headphones on Roku TVs use the standard audio codec, which is reliable but not high-fidelity. If you are listening to music or watching movies where sound quality matters to you, wired headphones through a 3.5mm jack will sound slightly better because they have no wireless compression. The difference is small for most people and most content.
Bluetooth audio has a slight delay — usually less than a second — between what you see on screen and what you hear. For watching TV shows and movies, this delay is not noticeable. For gaming or apps that require precise audio-to-video sync, it may be. If latency is a problem, wired headphones eliminate it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to unpair my Bluetooth headphones before pairing a different pair?
No. You can pair multiple headphones to the same Roku TV. Only one pair will play audio at a time unless your TV supports dual audio output. To switch between them, go to Settings, Remotes & Devices, Bluetooth Devices, and select which pair you want to use.
Can I use AirPods with my Roku TV?
Yes, AirPods work with Roku TV via standard Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. Then follow the standard Bluetooth pairing steps on your TV. AirPods will not show their battery level on the Roku TV screen the way they do on Apple devices.
What if my headphones pair but the TV still plays sound through the speakers?
Go to Settings, Audio, and check the Audio Output setting. If it is set to TV Speakers, change it to Headphones or Bluetooth Device. Some Roku models also have a separate Headphones Volume setting — make sure it is not muted or set to zero.
Will my headphones work with all Roku apps?
Yes. Once headphones are connected, all audio from every app — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, live TV, everything — plays through them. You cannot route audio from one app to headphones and another app to speakers at the same time.
Can I use gaming headsets with a microphone on my Roku TV?
The microphone will not work. Roku TVs do not support microphone input through Bluetooth or headphone jacks. You can use the headphones for audio only. If you need a microphone for video calls, you will need a separate USB microphone or a device designed for that purpose.