How to Connect Wireless Headphones to Xbox One
Last Updated on by Daniel Lawrence
Connecting wireless headphones to your Xbox One is a breeze.
Xbox One is one of the most powerful gaming consoles available, and if you’re an avid gamer, you probably have a ton of wireless headphones that you use to listen to music while playing games. Now that you have a great gaming console, you’ll want to connect those wireless headphones to it, too. Here’s how to connect wireless headphones to Xbox One.
Note: If you don’t see the option to connect your wireless headphones to Xbox One, check the documentation for your specific headphones to see if they support Xbox One.
Is the Xbox One equipped with Bluetooth?
There are a few things to consider when looking for a wireless sound solution for your Xbox One game console. There are many ways to connect, and not every headset will work.
Unfortunately, none of the Xbox One models (including the S and X) support Bluetooth, thus only headphones that employ Microsoft’s wireless protocol will work with the system. Depending on the headset type, you’ll either connect to it directly or utilize an accompanying wireless receiver that connects to a USB port on the gear, akin to how you connect an Xbox One controller.
However, if you have a Bluetooth wireless headset, it is unlikely that it would work with the Xbox One. The best place to find out which wireless headsets work with the Xbox One is Microsoft’s accessories page, which offers both an up-to-date list of compatible devices and links to buy them directly.
How to Connect Xbox One Wireless Headphones
Once you’ve found a pair of suitable wireless headphones, there are two ways to connect them to your Xbox One.
If your headset is equipped with a wireless adapter,
Some wireless headsets have a USB adaptor that connects to the console and sends sound to the headphones. If this is the case, simply turn on the Xbox One, plug in the adaptor, and activate the headset. The Xbox One will instantly connect, and the audio output will be switched to your headphones.
If you don’t have a wireless adapter for your headset,
You’ll need to take a few more steps if your wireless headphones don’t connect via USB dongle, but the process is usually no more difficult than synchronizing a gamepad. Here are three options for getting your headset to function.
These are broad guidelines that may or may not apply to all headset models. Specific instructions can be found in the documentation for your device.
- In certain circumstances, the headgear has a base station that connects to the console and transmits wireless data. Connect the USB and optical cable ports to the base station. Your headset should immediately pair with the base station, but you’ll need to fully charge it before using it.
- Press the sync button on the left side (Xbox One) or lower-right corner (other headsets) to sync (Xbox One S and Xbox One X). Hold down the power button on the headphones until the system recognizes them.
- Connect your Xbox One headset to the console via USB, then turn it on. You can unplug the headset after the Xbox recognizes it (typically because the power light stops blinking).
Conclusion
The main benefit of going wireless with your sound is that you won’t have cords all over the place, but with the Xbox One’s setup, that won’t be an issue. A wired headset connects directly to the controller, allowing you to hear both games and chat audio without having to run a longer cable to your TV or sound system. The only cord required is the one that connects your headphones to the controller you’re currently holding, which can help reduce clutter.
