If your computer supports Bluetooth®, you can easily connect your Bluetooth headphones and speakers. Most computers today support Bluetooth, but you can always use a USB Bluetooth adapter if yours doesn't. If you're not sure whether your computer supports Bluetooth, just contact the manufacturer for more information.
IMPORTANT: The steps we've outlined in this article are pretty general, so keep in mind that the pairing process might vary depending on your Bluetooth device and the computer operating system. If you need specific instructions for your device, just refer to your product , or reach out to your computer manufacturer.
- To connect Bluetooth headphones to laptop / desktop computer, ensure laptop / desktop has a Bluetooth hardware module. Some laptop / desktop might not come with this hardware. Check the manual of your laptop / desktop on the availability of the Bluetooth module.
- If your laptop / desktop does not come with a Bluetooth module, an external Bluetooth module adapter can be purchased to help you enable Bluetooth function on your laptop / desktop.
- Make sure your computer supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth profile.
- The drivers needed to connect your device to a computer are already included in the operating system.
Note: If your computer asks for a Bluetooth driver, contact your computer manufacturer. - Place your device within one meter of the computer / device.
- Ensure your Bluetooth headphones is not connected to a previously paired device. The headphones can automatically connect with a previously paired device if Bluetooth is enabled and both devices are placed near each other. In this case, deactivate the Bluetooth function on the previously paired device or turn off the power to disconnect first.
- Using your Bluetooth audio device for music playback or calls via USB is not possible.
- Update your Bluetooth audio device to the latest firmware. If you're looking for the firmware of your bluetooth audio device, please go to the Firmware & Software section of your model support page. If there is no firmware update under the Firmware & Software section, it just means that Sony is currently not offering a newer firmware.
Example for WF-1000XM3
Watch this video
You may refer to this video tutorial to learn how to pair your Sony headphones to Windows 11.
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Tip: Learn how to turn captions on or off when watching Internet videos from YouTube
Step 1: Put the headphones or speaker into pairing mode
This makes the device discoverable by the computer.
Your Bluetooth headphones and speakers may immediately go into pairing mode when used for the first time or after initializing (reset). However, the second time you pair it, you may have to press and hold the Power button for 5-7 seconds.
Notes:
- If your headphones or speaker doesn't immediately go into pairing mode, press and hold the Power button continuously for 5-7 seconds or until the Bluetooth indicator flashes rapidly (depending on the device).
- For details on how to set the audio system to pairing mode, refer to the manual of the product.
Below is an example of WH-1000XM5.
-
Turn on the headset.
Press and hold the 
(power) button for about 2 seconds.
You will hear a notification sound announcing that the headset is turned on.
The indicator (blue) continues to flash even after you release your finger from the button.
If the headset has automatically connected to the last connected device, you will hear a notification sound announcing that the connection is established.
Step 2: Pair the devices and set the sound output on the computer
The images and descriptions used in these steps are only an example. What you see may be slightly different depending on your devices.
Connect using the Swift Pair function (Microsoft® Windows® 11 or Windows® 10)
- You need to activate the following setting before you can use the Swift Pair function:
- Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Devices → Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair
- Windows 10 (only available for Windows 10 version 1803 or later): Settings → Bluetooth & other devices → Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair
- Turn the computer on or wake it up if it is in Standby (Sleep) or Hibernation mode.
- Select Connect from the pop-up menu displayed on the computer screen.
Note: If the pop-up menu is not displayed, use the Connect the headphones without using the Swift Pair function method.
Connect without using the Swift Pair function (Windows 11, 10, 8.1 or Apple® Mac® OS X® OS)
Windows 11
- On the computer, press the
(Windows icon). - Select
(Settings). - Select Bluetooth & Devices.
- If Bluetooth is set to OFF, set it to ON, then select Add device.
- On the Add a device screen, select Bluetooth.
- Select the model name of your device.
- If model name of your device cannot be found, try to pair again from step 3 above.
Notes:
- Ensure that your Bluetooth device is in pairing mode. If pairing is not established within 5 minutes, pairing mode is canceled. In this case, start the pairing mode operation again.
- If the headphones have been paired with multiple devices and could not connect to a specific device now, refer to this FAQ
- When you pair the headphones using the Bluetooth settings of the connecting device, select the headphones model name without the LE- prefix. If you only see the headphones model name with LE- prefix, wait for a few seconds until the model name without prefix LE- is displayed.
- Place your device within one meter of the computer / device.
- A window will pop up indicating the Bluetooth connection is complete.
Windows 10, Windows 8.1
- On the computer, press the
(Windows icon). - Select
(Settings). - Select Devices.
- Select Bluetooth & other devices, if Bluetooth is set to OFF, click the Bluetooth switch to turn ON the Bluetooth function, then click Add Bluetooth or other device.
- On the Add a device screen, select Bluetooth.
- Select the model name of your device.
- If model name of your device cannot be found, try to pair again from step 3 above.
Notes:
- Ensure that your Bluetooth device is in pairing mode. If pairing is not established within 5 minutes, pairing mode is canceled. In this case, start the pairing mode operation again.
- If the headphones have been paired with multiple devices and could not connect to a specific device now, refer to this FAQ
- When you pair the headphones using the Bluetooth settings of the connecting device, select the headphones model name without the LE- prefix. If you only see the headphones model name with LE- prefix, wait for a few seconds until the model name without prefix LE- is displayed.
- Place your device within one meter of the computer / device.
- A window will pop up indicating the Bluetooth connection is complete.
- Check to make sure the computer is set to output sound through the headphones (WH-1000XM5 as an example).
- Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices
- Under Audio, make sure that the text below WH-1000XM5 says Connected voice, music. This means the headphones were paired and connected successfully.
- In the same window, under Related settings, click Sound settings to set the sound output (speaker) and input (Microphone).
- Select [WH-1000XM5] as your output device (speaker).
- Select [WH-1000XM5] as your input (Microphone) device.
- Make sure to select [WH-1000XM5] as both the output and input device. Then close Settings.
Apple® Mac® OS X® OS
- On your Mac, choose the Apple menu → System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Your Mac is now discoverable.
- Alternatively, go to the top menu bar and click on the Bluetooth icon if it is available. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
- If you have successfully put your speakers or headphones into pairing mode, they should appear in the Bluetooth list. Scroll down if you do not immediately see the device you want to connect in the list, as it might be hidden further down in the menu.
- Select your device from the list and click the Pair button.
- Check your sound settings in system preferences to enable the correct sound output for your Bluetooth audio device.
- If you still don't see your Bluetooth device, refer to these articles:
You are all set to start listening to music or streaming content from your computer through your headphones!
Troubleshooting tips
-
Turn Bluetooth OFF and ON again
Switch Bluetooth OFF and ON again if you're sure your device is in pairing mode but isn't showing in your computer's device list.
-
Check the Bluetooth drivers for your computer
- Select [Start] → [Device Manager].
- At the Device Manager window, look for all Bluetooth listings by opening the [Network Adapters category] and/or the [Bluetooth Radios category] (if available).
- Check if the driver has a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow symbol:
- Exclamation mark: Update or reinstall your computer’s Bluetooth drivers.
- Down arrow: Bluetooth is disabled: Right-click and enable to activate Bluetooth.
-
Turn OFF Airplane mode (Windows 10)
- Go to [Start].
- Select [Settings].
- Go to [Network & Internet].
- Change the option [Airplane Mode] to [OFF].
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If a Passkey (Passcode, PIN code, PIN number, Password, etc.) is required, enter 0000.
- For Bluetooth headset, it can be paired with multiple devices, but can only play music from 1 paired device at a time.
- If there is no sound from headphones after connection is established, refer to When the headphones are connected to a computer there is no sound or the microphone does not work.
