How to connect bluetooth headphones to a laptop: detailed instructions

How to find out if there is a Bluetooth adapter on a laptop

Before studying the question of how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your computer and laptop, you need to make sure that the module is available on your device. You can do this in one of the following ways:

Inspect the sticker on the back of the laptop. If this technology is supported, Bluetooth will be printed on the label.

Study in detail the technical documentation for your laptop or computer. Often the specification contains information about the presence of a Bluetooth module.
Enter the model name in an Internet search engine and read the characteristics. In the product description, find the “Network adapters” category.

If you have a personal computer, find the corresponding module in the “Task Manager”.

Preparing to connect

As a rule, there are no difficulties when connecting Bluetooth headphones to a laptop. A prerequisite for the functioning of wireless communication is the presence of a special built-in module (adapter) on the computer. It is important to know that if the headset is synchronized with other devices, the connection must be broken. After this, you can begin setting up a new connection.

The first stage of preparation is to press the Win + I keys - this will go to the “Options” menu.

After pressing the key combination, the user is taken to the “Devices” section.

Now you need to activate the Bluetooth module.

The preparatory process of connecting a Bluetooth device to a laptop is completed.

What to do if there is no Bluetooth module

While modern laptops are universally equipped with Bluetooth modules, the situation with personal computers is different. PC owners have two alternatives:

Buy an external bluetooth module. It looks like a flash drive, so it is installed in a free USB port. You will need to install drivers first.

Purchase an internal module. These are more powerful and expensive adapters that are installed on the motherboard in the PCI-E port. May have multiple antennas to increase signal strength.

For laptops, the only relevant option is the first. For PCs, users can buy any module, taking into account their preferences and available budget. By installing one of these adapters, you can connect headphones.

How to connect Bluetooth headphones to a PC with Windows 7

A clear example of this is a wireless headset that is capable of downloading any content over the air, being equipped with a special Bluetooth data transmitter. And despite the fact that today it is unlikely to surprise anyone with this kind of accessories, pairing them with PCs running on outdated operating systems often requires additional effort.

Via USB

An exception can be considered those cases when the computer has a built-in Bluetooth module by default, because then synchronizing both devices will not require much time and knowledge. In addition, some headphone models are equipped with a USB connecting cable, the use of which allows for direct connection. True, then all the advantages of an off-line accessory are automatically neutralized, calling into question the feasibility of purchasing more expensive wireless products.

With adapter

Manufacturers also take this point into account, for whom it is no secret that the Bluetooth function is missing on outdated or budget PC models. As a result, to stimulate sales growth, developers are increasingly equipping their Air Headsets with compact external USB adapters. The main feature of this miniature device, which looks like a regular flash drive, is the internal integration of a full-fledged Bluetooth modem, which will provide a high-quality connection with the main accessory.

It is noteworthy that an alternative to such complete devices are the so-called mini-Jacks, which mean universal 3.5 mm plugs with the same Bluetooth on board.

As for the application, the same connection algorithm is provided for both the USB and the audio connector, which involves performing the following steps:

First of all, you need to carry out all mechanical actions that involve external connection of any of the adapters mentioned above, for which you need to use the connectors available on the PC.
Move the toggle switch (if provided by the design of the auxiliary device) to the active position.
Check the adapter's indications (if it is in working condition, the light should light up).

It is important to know that in the vast majority of cases, the actions taken are not enough, and users have to manually debug the pairing of headphones and PC through an adaptation module, using special drivers and installation programs for this. And most often we are talking about adding a device to the PC system using the Wizard.

It is noteworthy that the software launch itself is performed through the OS search engine, in which you should find the connected Bluetooth. Next, the initiative should be given to the utility itself, which will not only generate a request to search for devices available for pairing, but will also completely carry out the entire synchronization process, leaving only one job for the user - clicking on the virtual “Next” button.

And if the entire procedure was done correctly, the added Bluetooth can be seen in the “Devices and Printers” folder. True, it will start only if it is physically present in the computer connector. As for the operation of the “blue tooth”, it will be enough to simply double-click on the device’s shortcut, wait for it to automatically synchronize, as well as a notification confirming the successful connection of the wireless data transmitter.

Without adapter

It will be possible to do without an adapter only if the PC receives the default transmitter. In this case, all that remains for the user is to simply configure the modules on the PC and headset, using the drivers available in the system for synchronization. If there are none, then you can always request an automatic search for the optimal software on the network, quickly finding a suitable driver and performing synchronization, the sequence of which will directly depend on the characteristics of the OS.

If the user does not have the slightest idea how to cope with the task, then he can be recommended to follow the universal path:

To do this, you need to go to “Device Manager”.
Open the Bluetooth setup menu.
Update those drivers opposite which there is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark inside.

If there are no outdated utilities in the system, then you can always use the pop-up offer to search for relevant applications on the network. In any case, the success of the work done can only be confirmed when a notification lights up on the screen confirming installation or pairing with Bluetooth.

No drivers

You can use headphones without drivers only on the Windows 10 platform, and even then with reservations, since in this case the system will find and use all the necessary utilities on its own. A completely different scenario plays out for older versions of the OS, for full synchronization with which you will have to use the installation disk included with the accessory.

It is noteworthy that in most cases, even a direct connection will not be able to solve the problem, so you should not waste time on all sorts of experiments in this direction. In addition, the drivers are installed only once, and in all subsequent cases, the headphones will be synchronized with the computer by default.

Driver installation/update

If you are using an external Bluetooth adapter, then first of all you need to install the drivers. This should also be done on laptops that have the module from the factory (if you have never used Bluetooth before). You can find the driver:

on the installation disk that comes with the adapter;
on the Internet on the website of the module manufacturer.

Enter the full name of the Bluetooth adapter in a search engine and go to the manufacturer’s official website. You can download drivers from the “Support”, “Software Products” or “Drivers” sections.

You can see if the driver is installed correctly and even update it in the task manager. If everything is done correctly, in the adapter properties in the “Device Status” field you will see the inscription “Working normally.”

If necessary, you can update the driver using Windows (RMB on the module and select “Update drivers”) or using specialized software (for example, the Driver Genius program). The most reliable option is to install the file yourself, downloaded from the official website.

Pros and benefits of a Bluetooth headset

Most modern headphones have “hands free” technology. You can walk around the room, do and go about your business, and at the same time easily control switching songs, pausing, rewinding - using special buttons on the device.
All devices are adapted for any operating system, be it Windows 7, 8, 10, XP or even iOS. You can easily connect them not only to a PC, but also to smartphones or tablets.
How many wired headphones have I had, and all of them had the problem of one wire breaking at the base. As a result, only one part works. Wireless ones don’t have this because there are no wires at all.

Establishing a connection with headphones

If the Bluetooth module works correctly, proceed to connecting the headphones directly. They typically run on a built-in battery, so make sure it's 100 percent charged. After that, follow these instructions:

Turn on Bluetooth on your laptop or computer. The corresponding icon should be lit in the lower right corner of the list of active programs.
Turn on the headphones by pressing the corresponding button.
Put the headphones into pairing mode. You can read more about this in the instructions for the headphones. On some models, the mode is activated by long pressing the power button.
Once the headset is in pairing mode, in the Bluetooth menu, click add device.
In the search window, select your headset, and then click “Next”.
The system will prompt you to enter the pairing code. As a rule, it is equal to 0000. The code can also be found in the instructions for the headphones.
Wait for the synchronization to complete.

Now you know how to connect wireless Bluetooth headphones. If there is no sound in them, then you need to make additional settings in the operating system. This will be discussed in detail below.

What you need to connect wireless Bluetooth headphones to your computer or laptop

You can use wireless headphones only if your computer has a wireless adapter. As a rule, manufacturers are ready to build this device into a laptop. Most Asus and Vaio models have a built-in device. In Honor models too. It is usually launched by pressing keys. But on a desktop computer it may not be there. In this case, you will need to separately buy and connect a Bluetooth adapter.

Manufacturers produce such devices in two types - internal and external. The former can connect via a PCI slot. With external ones the situation is simpler - they require a USB port.

Regardless of whether we are talking about a desktop computer or a laptop, you must have the appropriate software. If it is not there, you need to install drivers. Below we will discuss the step-by-step connection of headphones if the adapter is available and the drivers are installed.

Activating and setting up the headset

When you connect your headset to your laptop, you may notice that there is no sound coming from the headphones. In most cases, this is due to an incorrectly installed playback source. You can change it in the operating system sound settings:

In the lower right corner of the screen in the Start panel, find the speaker icon and right-click on it. Select the "Playback Devices" line.
Find your Bluetooth headphones in the list and right-click on them. Select "Connect". Turn on the sound on your computer. Make sure you can hear it in your headphones and that the indicator bar is blinking.

A green icon with a check mark should appear next to the icon. This indicates that the device is working correctly. If you can't hear sound, raise the playback volume first on the headset and then on the computer or laptop. Also set your headphones to the default operating mode.

What to do if Bluetooth headphones do not connect: possible problems

Wireless headsets have many advantages, but they often come with problems. They may be due to the fact that the computer does not recognize the headphones. The reasons are as follows:

Due to the battery being low, the headphones turned off. You need to check whether the indicator on the case is on.
Missing drivers or incorrect installation. If this is detected, you need to reinstall the software.
Physical malfunction of the headphones. The power button may not work, the battery, microphone, or other parts may fail, including due to water getting into the device.
Failure of the wireless headphone module itself.
Failure to maintain the distance recommended by the manufacturer.

The user can recharge or restart the headphones, restart the PC, or pair with another sound source.

Important! You can check if they are working correctly using your smartphone. If the headset does not connect to it, there is a high risk that the device has failed.

But, if these measures are not successful, you cannot repair the headset yourself. It's better to take it to a service center. Every manufacturer of wireless headphones, be it Samsung, Sony, Sven or another brand, will react negatively to attempts at self-repair and will remove the device from warranty. And so the user has a chance to replace the headset or have it repaired under warranty.

When connecting, there may be problems with sound, so you cannot listen to music or watch a movie. In this case, it is recommended to first adjust the volume level on the computer - click on the speaker-shaped icon. If this action does not work, the problem may be with the software. It is recommended to update your drivers. To do this, you need to download and install the new version.

If the sound is heard, but playback is intermittent, or extraneous noise is interfering, you need to adjust the Windows settings. To do this, open the device control panel, find the icon for adjusting the sound there and right-click. This will open the audio options. This panel will have a “Playback” tab, which also displays the wireless headset. You need to select the headphones and right-click to select “Default Device” from the pop-up menu again.

Other options are used to solve sound problems. For example, you can turn off the Wireless Phone service. This is done through the “Properties” window after the user goes to the “Service” tab.

Connecting a microphone

If your headset includes a microphone, you must connect it through the “Recording Devices” section:

In the lower right corner of the screen in the Start panel, find the speaker icon and right-click on it. Select the "Recording Devices" line.
Among the recording devices, find the headphones you need, right-click on them and turn them on by default. Say a phrase into the microphone and make sure the signal indicator changes.

Connecting a microphone to Skype

A microphone is in most cases necessary for conversations on Skype. If the other person can't hear you, check the settings in the program itself. You can do this as follows:

Launch the program. Select the “Tools” section, and then click on “Settings”.

In the audio settings section, select your microphone from the drop-down list. There, the user will configure the speakers, specifying Bluetooth headphones as playback. You must first connect the headset.

You can always make a test call to the Skype autoinformer “Echo / Sound Test Service” to check the quality of the connection.

Setting up Skype

If you have a full-fledged headset with a microphone like mine (from Bluedio), then you can chat on Skype and walk around the house with headphones. This is quite convenient, although before this you need to make some manipulations with the settings in Skype.

Launch Skype.
Let's go to settings. Versions of Skype are constantly updated, and this button opens differently in different versions of the program - so just search for the buttons.
Go to the “Sound and Video” section. Our Bluetooth device should be in the “microphone” section. If it is “Default communication device” , then simply click on this inscription and select your headset.

Possible errors and methods for eliminating them

Users may encounter a number of problems. We will describe the most common of them:

There is no Bluetooth button in the laptop settings. Solution - update or install drivers for the adapter.
Search does not find headphones. Solution: Make sure the headset is turned on and in pairing mode. This is usually indicated by an LED on the case.
There is no sound in the headphones. Solution - check the sound level in the mixer and make sure the playback device is set correctly. Change the volume on your computer and headphones.

Before connecting, be sure to read the headset setup manual. It will describe all the modes and how to activate them. Also make sure the battery on your headphones is fully charged. The problem may also be that the headset is too far away from the adapter. This is especially common in external modules that have relatively low power.

Now you know everything you need to use wireless Bluetooth headphones with your laptop or computer. Don't be limited by cable lengths and watch your favorite movies with first-class sound!

How to enable Bluetooth on a laptop

You will need to make sure that your personal device is equipped for the Bluetooth transmission standard. This can be understood by the characteristic markings on the case in the form of a blue icon with a stylized letter “B”.

Calling up the Bluetooth control menu

After this, we proceed to turn on and check the hardware component that is responsible for the operation of the wireless connection. We proceed according to step-by-step instructions:

We launch the command line, for which we use the combination of hot buttons on the Windows keyboard (logo-shaped icon) + R (in the English layout). In the form that launches called “Run”, enter the command devmgmt.msc, and then click “OK”.
We find in the “Device Manager” the equipment that contains the word Bluetooth, or has a characteristic blue icon.
Click on the component to open the menu, and then select the “General” tab - you should see an inscription that the equipment is working normally.

Unfortunately, there are no universal names for wireless Bluetooth devices, so in the case of a specific laptop computer model, it is better to check this characteristic with the manufacturer.