Can you connect bluetooth headphones to xbox one series s

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Contents

• Connecting Bluetooth headphones to Xbox Series X
• Disadvantages of using a Bluetooth transmitter with your Xbox Series X
• Alternative options to using Bluetooth headphones

Chances are you have a pair of Bluetooth earbuds or headphones that you use with your PC or mobile device. Bluetooth is widely accepted in most forms of entertainment. Still, when it comes to the Xbox Series X, Bluetooth is not natively supported, and that is because Bluetooth does not meet the standard for Xbox wireless accessories. As for a wireless connection, Xbox Series X has its own wireless solution called Xbox Wireless that connects gaming accessories to your console.

But wait — the Xbox Series X not supporting Bluetooth natively does not mean that you are out of luck! Here is everything you need to know about connecting Bluetooth to Xbox Series X.

Further reading

• The best Xbox Series X headsets for 2020
• The best Xbox Series X accessories
• These 4 tips will help you max out your Xbox One controller’s battery life

Connecting Bluetooth headphones to Xbox Series X

To connect your Bluetooth headphones to the Xbox Series X, you will need to get a Bluetooth transmitter compatible with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Once you insert the Bluetooth transmitter into your Xbox Series X controller, follow these steps to pair your headphones to your console.

Step 1:

Turn your transmitter on after connecting it to the controller and place it in the pairing mode. Check the instruction manual, as each transmitter can vary with this process.

Step 2:

Power on your Bluetooth headphones and place them in pairing mode. A flashing light typically indicates pairing mode on your headphones or a sound queue.

Step 3:

Since there is no visual queue of the headphones connecting, watch the lights on both devices or wear the headphones to see if you are getting any audio. You may have to follow this procedure after each session since this is not done on the Xbox Series X natively.

Disadvantages of using a Bluetooth transmitter with your Xbox Series X

Bluetooth is a widely-accepted audio format, but using a Bluetooth transmitter with your Xbox Series X console can cause some issues when gaming. In competitive games like Call of Duty or Fortnite, this solution may cause audio delay, which could be detrimental to success. For a casual gaming experience, that millisecond difference may go unnoticed.

Most Bluetooth headphones have built-in mics, but they are not supported through a transmitter, so if you are looking to party up with friends, it is best to use a pair of headphones that work with the Xbox Series X natively.

Alternative options to using Bluetooth headphones

If you have a recent smart TV or even a gaming monitor, that display may support Bluetooth connections natively. Connecting your headphones to your display is another option if you do not want to use a transmitter to connect your headphones. Just make sure your Xbox audio settings are set to output to your TV.

Ultimately for the best audio experience with your Xbox Series X, it is best to get a headset compatible with Xbox Series X right out of the box. Most Xbox wireless headphones have an Xbox Wireless dongle to connect to the USB of your console, or Xbox Wireless is built into the headset.

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Only certain wireless headsets and headphones work with Xbox

Updated on September 22, 2021

What to Know

• Plug the headset into the base station, if it has one. If it doesn't automatically connect, press the sync button on your console.
• The Xbox Series X or S consoles are only compatible with wireless headsets designed for Xbox One and Xbox Series X or S.
• Some wireless Xbox headphones and headsets use a wireless adapter that plugs into a USB port on the console.

This article explains how to connect compatible wireless headphones to an Xbox Series X or S console.

How to Connect Wireless Headphones to Xbox Series X or S Using Xbox Wireless Protocol

This method is relevant only to headsets and headphones that are designed for Xbox One or Xbox Series X or S and don’t have a wireless USB adapter. If that describes your headphones or headset, you can use this method to connect.

1. Turn on your Xbox Series X or S.

2. If your headset has a base station, plug it in.

3. Wait and see if your headphones pair automatically.

4. If the headphones don’t pair automatically, press the sync button on your Xbox Series X or S.

5. Press and hold the power button on your headphones until they connect to your console.

   If your headphones or headset has a sync button, press that instead.

6. Your headphones should be connected now.

If this didn’t work, try connecting your headphones to the Xbox Series X or S using a USB cable, then turn the headphones on. Once they connect, you can unplug the USB cable. You may also need to ensure that your headphones are fully charged first.

How to Connect Wireless headphones to Xbox Series X or S With a Dongle

If your headphones or headset came with a wireless USB dongle, and they are specifically designed to work with Series X and S consoles, then you can plug the dongle into a USB port on the console. If the headset or headphones were designed for Xbox One, they may or may not work. Check with the manufacturer if you have trouble connecting.

Here’s how to connect wireless headphones to your Xbox Series X or S using a dongle:

1. Turn the Xbox Series X or S on.

2. Plug the wireless adapter into a USB port on your Xbox.

3. Turn on your headset or headphones.

4. Wait to see if the headset or headphones connect automatically.

5. If they didn’t connect, check your USB dongle for a switch.

   Headsets designed to work with both Xbox and PC have a switch on the dongle. Switch it to Xbox to connect.

6. Your headphones or headset should connect.

If your headphones don't connect, contact the manufacturer. The dongle may not be compatible with Xbox Series X or S.

What Wireless Headphones Work With Xbox Series X or S?

In general, most wireless headphones and headsets that worked with the Xbox One will also work with Xbox Series X or S. Headphones designed specifically for Xbox Series X or S will also do the trick. Wireless headphones and headsets that weren’t specifically designed for any Xbox console, unfortunately, won’t be able to connect.

The biggest hurdle here is that neither the Xbox Series X or S support Bluetooth, so you can’t just use any Bluetooth headset or headphones. The Xbox Series X and S also don’t support most USB wireless dongles, so there’s a good chance that your headset that’s designed for use with a PC won’t work with your Xbox.

Xbox Series X or S has a proprietary wireless protocol, so these consoles primarily work with headphones that were designed to use that protocol. Additionally, some wireless headsets and headphones have a wireless dongle that’s designed to be plugged into a USB port on your Xbox Series X or S, so they can be used as well.

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