Roku TVs can connect to Bluetooth headphones directly through the settings menu, but the process depends on your remote and Roku model
Most Roku TVs have built-in Bluetooth and let you pair headphones without downloading anything extra. You go into Settings, find the Bluetooth or Remotes and Devices menu, put your headphones in pairing mode, and select them from the list. The exact steps change slightly between Roku models — some use older remotes without Bluetooth buttons, and those require a workaround.
The catch: once headphones are paired, Roku TVs don't always let you switch between TV speakers and headphones the way a phone does. Some models keep sound on both at once. Others mute the TV speakers automatically. You may need to adjust volume separately on the headphones and the TV, or turn off TV audio entirely in the settings.
Key Takeaways
- Roku TVs with a remote that has a microphone button (the newer standard remote) can pair Bluetooth headphones through Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth Headphones.
- Older Roku remotes without a microphone button cannot initiate Bluetooth pairing, so you must use the TV's physical buttons or a newer replacement remote.
- Once paired, headphones stay connected when you turn the TV back on, but you may hear sound from both the TV speakers and headphones unless you manually disable TV audio.
- If your headphones won't stay connected, restart both the headphones and the TV, then re-pair them through the same menu.
How to pair Bluetooth headphones on a Roku TV with a standard remote
If your Roku remote has a microphone button in the center (the newer design), follow these steps. Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Navigate to Settings using the arrow buttons and press OK. Look for Remotes and Devices or Bluetooth Headphones — the exact name varies by Roku model, but it will mention Bluetooth or audio devices.
Select Bluetooth Headphones or Add Device. Put your headphones into pairing mode — this usually means holding the power button for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks, but check your headphone manual because the method varies. The Roku TV will search for nearby devices and show a list. Select your headphones from the list and press OK. The TV will confirm the connection with a message on screen.
Once paired, your headphones should connect automatically the next time you turn on the TV and the headphones are in pairing mode or powered on. If they don't connect, go back to the same menu and select your headphones again.
What to do if your remote doesn't have a microphone button
Older Roku remotes without a microphone button cannot access the Bluetooth pairing menu through the remote alone. You have two options: use the TV's physical buttons on the side or back panel, or buy a newer Roku remote that has Bluetooth capability.
To use the TV's physical buttons, locate the power, volume, and input buttons on the side or back of your TV. Press and hold the input button (sometimes labeled Source) for several seconds until the Settings menu appears on screen. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. This is slower than using a remote, but it works. Navigate to Remotes and Devices and follow the same pairing steps as above.
If you plan to use Bluetooth headphones regularly, a replacement remote is worth the cost — Roku sells standard remotes for $20 to $30, and they work with any Roku TV model from the last several years. You can also use a universal remote that supports Roku, though you'll lose the microphone button feature.
Managing audio between TV speakers and headphones
Roku TVs handle audio routing differently depending on the model. Some play sound through both the TV speakers and headphones at the same time. Others automatically mute the TV speakers when headphones are connected. A few let you choose in the settings.
If you hear sound from both sources and want only the headphones, go to Settings > Audio > Audio Output and look for an option like "Headphones Only" or "Bluetooth Audio Output". Not all Roku models have this setting. If yours doesn't, you can mute the TV manually by pressing the mute button on your remote, or turn off the TV's internal speakers in Settings > Audio > Speaker.
Volume control works independently on the TV and headphones. Adjust the TV volume with your remote and the headphone volume with the buttons on the headphones themselves. If one is too loud or quiet, change the other. Some headphones also have a volume limit you can set in their own menu — check your headphone manual if the volume seems stuck at one level.
Troubleshooting when headphones won't connect or stay connected
If your headphones appear in the list but won't connect, or if they connect then disconnect after a few seconds, restart both devices. Turn off the headphones completely and wait 10 seconds. Turn off the TV using the power button on the remote (not the remote's power button alone — use the TV's physical power button if you can reach it). Wait 30 seconds, then turn both back on and try pairing again.
If the headphones still won't connect, forget the pairing and start over. Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth Headphones, find your headphones in the list, and select Remove or Forget. Put the headphones back into pairing mode and add them again as if it's the first time.
Check that your headphones have enough battery. Most Bluetooth headphones won't pair or stay connected if the battery is below 10 percent. Charge them fully before trying again. Also make sure the headphones are within 30 feet of the TV — Bluetooth range is shorter than WiFi, and walls or metal objects can weaken the signal.
When Bluetooth pairing isn't available on your Roku model
Very old Roku models (mostly from before 2015) don't have built-in Bluetooth at all. If you bought your TV more than eight years ago and the Bluetooth Headphones menu doesn't exist, your TV straightforward doesn't support it. In that case, you have two alternatives: buy a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the TV's audio output, or use a wired headphone connection if your TV has a headphone jack.
A Bluetooth transmitter adapter costs $15 to $40 and plugs into the TV's audio jack or optical audio port. It converts the TV's audio signal to Bluetooth and lets you connect any Bluetooth headphones. This works on any TV, even older models without Bluetooth built in. The downside is an extra device to manage and charge, but it's cheaper than replacing the TV or buying a new remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect multiple pairs of Bluetooth headphones to one Roku TV?
Most Roku TVs can pair multiple headphones but only play audio through one pair at a time. You can add several headphones to the TV's memory, but when you turn on the TV, it will connect to whichever one powers on first or was most recently used. To switch between headphones, disconnect one and turn on the other, or go back to Settings and manually select a different pair.
Why does my Roku TV keep disconnecting from my Bluetooth headphones?
Bluetooth disconnects usually happen because the headphones are too far from the TV (more than 30 feet), the battery is low, or there's interference from other wireless devices like WiFi routers or microwaves. Try moving closer to the TV, charging the headphones fully, and restarting both devices. If it still disconnects, forget the pairing and re-pair from scratch.
Do I need to unpair my headphones before connecting them to another device?
No, you don't have to unpair them from the Roku TV. Bluetooth headphones can stay paired to multiple devices at once. However, they will only connect to one device at a time — if your headphones are connected to your phone, they won't connect to the TV until you disconnect them from the phone or turn the phone's Bluetooth off.
What if my headphones are paired but I can't hear any sound?
Check that the TV's volume isn't muted or set to zero. Press the volume up button on your remote several times. Also check the headphone volume — some headphones have a separate volume control that might be turned down. If both are turned up and you still hear nothing, restart the headphones and TV, then re-pair them.