How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox Series S

Xbox Series S does not support Bluetooth headphones directly

The Xbox Series S has no built-in Bluetooth radio for audio devices. This is a hardware limitation, not a setting you can change or a feature that will arrive in an update. If you want to use wireless headphones with your Xbox Series S, you need either a USB wireless adapter that came with your headphones, or you need to use the Xbox Wireless protocol through a dedicated receiver.

The confusion happens because the Xbox Series S controller connects via Bluetooth, but the console itself cannot receive Bluetooth audio. The two systems are separate. Your headphones cannot use the same connection method as your controller.

Key Takeaways

Xbox Series S has no Bluetooth radio for audio, so standard Bluetooth headphones will not pair directly with the console.
USB wireless adapters that shipped with your headphones will work if you plug them into the Xbox Series S USB port.
Xbox Wireless headsets designed for Xbox will connect through a dedicated USB receiver that comes in the box.
Wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack do not work on Xbox Series S because the console has no headphone port.
The simplest workaround is to connect headphones to your controller instead, which does support Bluetooth audio.

Using a USB wireless adapter with your headphones

If your headphones came with a small USB dongle or receiver, that adapter can plug directly into the Xbox Series S. Look for a tiny wireless receiver in the box your headphones came in — it is usually about the size of a USB thumb drive. Plug it into one of the USB ports on the front or back of the console.

Once the adapter is plugged in, turn on your headphones and put them in pairing mode. The exact steps for pairing mode depend on your headphone model — some require holding a button for three seconds, others have a dedicated pairing button. Check the manual that came with your headphones or search the manufacturer's website for your specific model number. The adapter and headphones should pair automatically once both are in pairing mode.

The Xbox Series S will recognize the adapter as an audio output device. Go to Settings, then Sound, then Volume and audio output. Select the USB device from the list. Your headphones should now play all game audio, chat, and system sounds through the wireless connection.

Connecting Xbox Wireless headsets through a USB receiver

Xbox Wireless headsets are designed specifically for Xbox consoles and come with a dedicated USB receiver. These headsets are made by brands like SteelSeries, Turtle Beach, and others under license from Microsoft. The receiver is not a standard Bluetooth adapter — it uses a proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol that is different from consumer Bluetooth.

Plug the USB receiver into your Xbox Series S. The receiver has a small button on it. Press and hold that button until the light on the receiver starts flashing. Then press and hold the power button on your headset until you hear a pairing tone or see a light flash on the headset. The two devices will pair within a few seconds.

Once paired, the headset will automatically connect to the receiver whenever you turn it on. You do not need to pair again unless you want to use the headset with a different console. The audio output settings on the Xbox Series S will show the headset as an available device.

Connecting Bluetooth headphones through your Xbox controller

The Xbox Series S controller supports Bluetooth audio, even though the console itself does not. This is the most practical option if you already own standard Bluetooth headphones. The audio will come from your controller, not the console, but you will still hear all game sound and chat.

Hold the Xbox button on your controller until the power menu appears. Select Accessories. Choose your controller from the list, then select Audio settings. Select Connect a new device. Put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode and they should appear in the list. Select them to pair.

Once paired, your headphones will connect to the controller automatically when you turn them on. The only drawback is that the audio comes from the controller's Bluetooth radio, so you need to keep the controller relatively close to the headphones — usually within 20 to 30 feet. If you move too far away, the connection may drop.

Troubleshooting a USB adapter that is not working

If you plugged in a USB wireless adapter and your headphones are not connecting, first make sure the adapter is in pairing mode. Some adapters require you to press a button on the adapter itself to enter pairing mode, not just on the headphones. Check the manual for your specific headphones to see if the adapter has a separate pairing button.

Try unplugging the adapter and plugging it into a different USB port on the Xbox Series S. The front and back ports are sometimes treated differently by the console, and a port that does not work may be a power delivery issue rather than a connection issue. If the adapter still does not work, try plugging it into a computer to confirm the adapter itself is functioning.

Some older USB wireless adapters were designed for older Xbox consoles and may not be fully compatible with the Series S. If the adapter is more than five years old, contact the headphone manufacturer to ask whether they have a firmware update or a replacement adapter for newer consoles.

Why wired headphones do not work on Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S has no 3.5mm headphone jack, unlike older Xbox consoles. This means you cannot plug in standard wired headphones directly. The console is designed around wireless audio and the controller's Bluetooth connection.

If you have wired headphones you want to use, you have two options. You can buy a USB-to-3.5mm adapter and plug your headphones into that, then plug the adapter into the Xbox Series S USB port. This works, but it is awkward because you will have a cable running from the console to your headphones. The second option is to connect the wired headphones to your controller using a Bluetooth adapter, but that adds another device to manage.

Checking your audio output settings after connecting

Once your headphones are connected, the Xbox Series S may not automatically route all audio to them. Go to Settings, then Sound, then Volume and audio output. Look for the option that says Headset or the name of your connected device. Select it to make sure all game audio, chat, and system sounds go to your headphones instead of the TV or speakers.

If you are in a game and the audio is still coming from your TV, pause the game and go back to Settings to confirm the audio output is set correctly. Some games have their own audio settings that override the console settings. Check the game's audio menu to make sure it is not set to output to speakers only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any Bluetooth headphones with Xbox Series S?

Not directly. You can use Bluetooth headphones if you connect them to your Xbox controller instead of the console. If your headphones came with a USB wireless adapter, you can plug that into the console and use the headphones that way. Standard Bluetooth will not pair with the Xbox Series S itself.

Do I need to buy Xbox-branded headphones?

No. Any headphones with a USB wireless adapter will work. Xbox Wireless headsets are convenient because they are tested to work with Xbox consoles, but they are not required. Many third-party gaming headsets from brands like HyperX, SteelSeries, and Corsair work just as well if they include a USB receiver.

Will my headphones work if I connect them to my controller?

Yes, if your headphones support Bluetooth. The controller has a Bluetooth radio that can pair with standard wireless headphones. The audio will come from the controller rather than the console, but you will hear all game sound and chat. The connection range is typically 20 to 30 feet.

What if my USB adapter is not recognized by the Xbox?

Try a different USB port on the console. Make sure the adapter is in pairing mode and your headphones are in pairing mode at the same time. If the adapter is very old, it may not be compatible with the Series S. Contact the headphone manufacturer to ask if they have an updated driver or adapter for newer consoles.

Can I use a USB hub to connect multiple wireless adapters?

Yes, a powered USB hub will work with the Xbox Series S. Plug the hub into the console, then plug your wireless adapters into the hub. Make sure the hub is powered — an unpowered hub may not provide enough power to multiple adapters at once. Pair each adapter separately following the same steps as if it were plugged directly into the console.

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