The Two Ways to Connect Headphones to PS5
Your PlayStation 5 supports two connection methods: USB wireless dongles (the most reliable option) and Bluetooth (which works but has more limitations). USB wireless headphones connect through a small receiver plugged into one of the PS5's USB ports and work when ready without pairing steps. Bluetooth headphones require you to put them in pairing mode and register them with the console once, then they reconnect automatically afterward.
The PS5 does not support standard 3.5mm wired headphones plugged directly into the controller or console — you need either wireless technology or a USB adapter. Most people find USB wireless headphones simpler because they skip the pairing process entirely, but Bluetooth works well if your headphones already have it and you do not mind the one-time setup.
Key Takeaways
- USB wireless headphones are the fastest option: plug the dongle into a USB port on the PS5 and they work when ready without any pairing.
- Bluetooth headphones require you to enter pairing mode on the headphones, then search for them in the PS5 settings under Accessories, and this happens only once.
- The PS5 has three USB ports (two on the front, one on the back), and any of them work for a wireless dongle.
- Once paired or connected, Bluetooth headphones reconnect automatically when you turn them on, and you can switch between headphones in the PS5 settings without re-pairing.
Connecting USB Wireless Headphones
Plug the wireless dongle into any USB port on your PS5. The ports are located on the front of the console (two ports, one on each side of the lower panel) and one on the back. Push the dongle in firmly until it clicks — you should see a small light on the dongle itself, usually blue or green, indicating it is powered.
Turn on your headphones. Most USB wireless headphones power on with a button on the ear cup or the side of the headband. Within a few seconds, the headphones will detect the dongle and connect automatically. You will hear a confirmation sound or see a light change on the headphones themselves. That is it — you can now use them with any game or app on the PS5.
If the headphones do not connect within 10 seconds, turn them off and back on. If they still do not work, unplug the dongle, wait 5 seconds, and plug it back in. Most USB wireless headphones have a range of about 30 feet, so keep them reasonably close to the console if you experience dropouts.
Connecting Bluetooth Headphones
Put your headphones into pairing mode. This step varies by model, but it usually means holding down a button on the headphones for 3 to 5 seconds until you see a light flash rapidly (often blue or white). Some headphones have a dedicated pairing button; others use the power button held longer than a normal power-on. Check your headphone manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure — the model name is usually printed on the headband or inside the ear cup.
On the PS5, go to Settings (the gear icon on the home screen), then Accessories, then Controllers. You will see a section labeled "Bluetooth Accessories" or similar. Select "Register Bluetooth Device" or "Pair New Device." The PS5 will search for nearby Bluetooth devices for about 30 seconds. Your headphones should appear in the list by their model name. Select them, and the console will complete the pairing.
Once paired, your headphones will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and the PS5 is powered on or in rest mode. You do not need to re-pair them. If you want to switch to a different pair of Bluetooth headphones, go back to the same Accessories menu and select the new headphones from the list of paired devices.
Switching Between Multiple Headphones
If you have both USB wireless and Bluetooth headphones, the PS5 will use whichever one is turned on and in range. If both are on at the same time, the USB wireless headphones take priority. To switch, straightforward turn off the headphones you were using and turn on the ones you want to use instead.
If you have multiple Bluetooth headphones paired, go to Settings, Accessories, Controllers, and look for "Bluetooth Accessories" or "Connected Devices." You will see a list of all paired headphones. Select the one you want to use, and it will become the active device. The others remain paired but inactive, so you can switch between them without re-pairing.
Fixing Common Connection Problems
If your USB wireless headphones connect but have no sound, check the PS5 audio output settings. Go to Settings, Sound, and look for "Output Device." Make sure it is set to your headphones, not the TV or another speaker. If it shows "Headphones" but you still hear nothing, try unplugging the dongle and plugging it into a different USB port — occasionally a port can be faulty.
If your Bluetooth headphones pair but disconnect frequently, move the PS5 closer to the headphones and away from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves, which can interfere with the 2.4 GHz frequency Bluetooth uses. If dropouts continue, unpair the headphones (go to Accessories, find them in the list, and select "Forget"), then pair them again from scratch.
If you cannot find your headphones in the Bluetooth search, make sure they are in pairing mode — some headphones exit pairing mode after 30 seconds if no device connects. Hold the pairing button again and try the PS5 search once more. If the headphones still do not appear, restart the PS5 by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try pairing again.
Using Headphones With the PS5 Controller
The PS5 controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom, but it only works with wired headphones, not wireless ones. If you have a USB wireless headset, you cannot plug it into the controller — it must connect to the console itself through the USB port or Bluetooth. Some people use a wired headset plugged into the controller for voice chat while using wireless headphones for game audio, though this requires two separate headsets.
If you want to use wireless headphones for both game audio and voice chat, connect them to the PS5 via USB or Bluetooth as described above. The console will route both audio and microphone input through the wireless connection, so you do not need the controller jack at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone's Bluetooth headphones with the PS5?
Yes, if they support standard Bluetooth. Put them in pairing mode and follow the Bluetooth pairing steps above. However, some gaming headsets use proprietary Bluetooth profiles that only work with specific devices, so check your headphone manual to confirm they work with PlayStation consoles.
Do USB wireless headphones work with PS5 games that require a headset?
Yes, as long as the headphones have a built-in microphone. Most gaming headsets do. The PS5 will recognize the microphone automatically once the headphones are connected via USB. You may need to set them as the default audio input in Settings, Sound, Microphone.
What if I want to use my headphones with both my PS5 and my phone?
Bluetooth headphones can pair with multiple devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. To switch, turn off the Bluetooth connection on one device and turn on the headphones' Bluetooth on the other. USB wireless headphones are locked to the dongle, so they cannot connect to your phone unless you buy a separate dongle for it.
Why do my Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting from the PS5?
Bluetooth interference is the most common cause. Move the PS5 away from your WiFi router, microwave, or other wireless devices. If the problem persists, unpair the headphones completely, restart the PS5, and pair them again. Some older Bluetooth headphones have weak range or outdated profiles that do not work reliably with the PS5.
Can I use a USB headset meant for PC on the PS5?
Most USB gaming headsets work on the PS5 because they use standard USB audio, not proprietary drivers. Plug the dongle into a PS5 USB port and turn on the headphones. If they do not work, the headset may require specific software that only runs on Windows or Mac, in which case it will not work with the PS5.