The two ways headphones connect to a laptop

Most headphones connect to a laptop in one of two ways: through a cable plugged into a jack, or wirelessly using Bluetooth. Wired headphones are simpler — you plug them in and they work when ready. Wireless headphones require you to pair them once, then they reconnect automatically when you turn them on nearby.

Which method you use depends on what headphones you own. If your headphones have a 3.5mm jack (a thin metal plug), you plug them into your laptop's headphone jack. If they are Bluetooth headphones, you use your laptop's wireless settings to connect them. Some newer laptops no longer have a headphone jack, so you may need an adapter or wireless headphones instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Wired headphones plug directly into your laptop's headphone jack and work when ready without any setup.
  • Bluetooth headphones require you to turn on pairing mode on the headphones, then select them in your laptop's Bluetooth settings.
  • If your laptop has no headphone jack, you can use a USB adapter or USB-C adapter to add one, or switch to Bluetooth headphones.
  • Once Bluetooth headphones are paired, they reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near your laptop.

Connecting wired headphones with a jack

Find the headphone jack on your laptop. On most laptops, it is on the side or back, marked with a small headphone symbol. The jack is a round hole about the size of a pencil tip. Plug the headphone jack (the metal connector at the end of your headphone cable) straight into this hole until you hear or feel a click.

Your headphones should work when ready. If you do not hear sound, check that the volume on your laptop is not muted. On Windows, look for a speaker icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. On Mac, look in the top right corner. If the speaker has a line through it, click it to unmute. You can also check that your headphones are selected as the audio output by right-clicking the speaker icon on Windows or clicking the volume icon on Mac.

Connecting Bluetooth headphones

Turn on your Bluetooth headphones. Most have a power button on the side or bottom. Once they are on, look for a pairing button — this is often the same button as the power button, or a separate button marked with a Bluetooth symbol (two triangles pointing at each other). Hold the pairing button for three to five seconds until you see a light flash, usually blue or white. This puts your headphones into pairing mode, which means they are ready to connect to your laptop.

On your laptop, open the Bluetooth settings. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the bottom right corner and select "Open Sound settings," then click "Bluetooth and other devices" on the left. On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select "System Settings," then click "Bluetooth." Your laptop will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your headphones appear in the list, click them to connect. Your laptop may ask you to confirm the connection — if so, click "Pair" or "Connect."

Once your headphones are paired, they will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on near your laptop. You do not need to pair them again. If they do not reconnect, open Bluetooth settings and click your headphones to connect manually.

What to do if your laptop has no headphone jack

Many newer laptops, especially thin models, do not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. If you have wired headphones and no jack, you have two options: buy a USB adapter or switch to Bluetooth headphones.

A USB adapter is a small device that adds a headphone jack to your laptop. You plug it into a USB port on your laptop, then plug your headphones into the adapter. These adapters cost between ten and thirty dollars and work with any wired headphones. On Windows, your laptop may install drivers automatically. On Mac, most adapters work without any setup. If you use your laptop at a desk, an adapter is a straightforward fix. If you move around frequently, Bluetooth headphones are more convenient because you have no cable to manage.

Troubleshooting sound that does not come through

If you plugged in your headphones but hear no sound, first check that your laptop volume is not muted or turned all the way down. On Windows, click the speaker icon in the bottom right and drag the volume slider up. On Mac, click the volume icon in the top right and drag the slider up. If the speaker icon shows a line through it, click it to unmute.

Next, make sure your headphones are selected as the audio output. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon and select "Open Sound settings." Under "Output," you should see your headphones listed. If they are not, click the dropdown and select them. On Mac, click the volume icon in the top right, hold Option, and click "Sound." Select your headphones under "Output devices." If your headphones still do not appear, unplug them, wait ten seconds, and plug them back in.

For Bluetooth headphones, check that they are turned on and in pairing mode. If they were previously paired with another device, they may try to connect to that device instead. Turn off Bluetooth on any other devices nearby, then try connecting to your laptop again. If your headphones still will not connect, forget them from your laptop's Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch.

Using headphones with video calls

When you join a video call on Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or another platform, your headphones may not be selected automatically. Before your call starts, open the call settings and look for an audio or microphone section. Select your headphones as the audio output and your microphone as the input. Most video call apps let you test your audio before joining — use this to make sure your headphones work and your microphone picks up your voice clearly.

If you are using headphones with a built-in microphone, select those same headphones for both output and input. If your headphones have no microphone, select them for output only and use your laptop's built-in microphone for input. During the call, you can usually switch audio devices by clicking a speaker icon in the call window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth headphones disconnect when they move too far from your laptop (usually beyond 30 feet), when the battery is low, or when another Bluetooth device interferes. Keep your headphones close to your laptop, charge them fully, and turn off Bluetooth on other devices nearby. If disconnections continue, forget the headphones from your laptop's Bluetooth settings and pair them again.

Can I use two pairs of headphones at the same time?

Most laptops send audio to only one output device at a time. You cannot use two pairs of wired headphones simultaneously. For Bluetooth, some laptops support dual audio, but this is rare and requires specific software. Your best option is to use a headphone splitter (a small adapter that splits one jack into two) if you have wired headphones, or to take turns with wireless headphones.

Do I need to install anything to use Bluetooth headphones?

No. Windows and Mac both have Bluetooth built in, and most headphones work without drivers or software. straightforward turn on your headphones, put them in pairing mode, and select them in your laptop's Bluetooth settings. If your headphones came with an app, you can install it for extra features like battery level or sound adjustments, but it is not required to use them.

What if my headphone jack is broken?

If your laptop's headphone jack is damaged and will not accept a plug, a USB adapter is your easiest fix for wired headphones. Alternatively, switch to Bluetooth headphones, which do not rely on the jack. Do not force a plug into a damaged jack, as this can cause more damage. If your laptop is under warranty, contact the manufacturer about repair options.

Why is the sound very quiet even with volume turned up?

Check that your headphones are fully inserted into the jack — a loose connection can cause low volume. On your laptop, make sure the volume is turned up in both the system settings and the app you are using (like a video player or music app). Some apps have their own volume controls separate from your laptop's main volume. If volume is still low, your headphones may be damaged or your laptop's audio output may be faulty.