Setting up a headset on PC Windows 10 should be an easy task, right? Well, it kind of is, however, Windows can sometimes interfere or complicate things.
I’m sure you’ve had a device that you can’t set up on your Windows no matter what you try. However, that same device works with no problem on your friend’s Windows PC. This can be really infuriating, trust me, I know.
Don’t get me wrong, most of the time, setting up your headset works without a problem. That’s when Windows default settings suit the headset.
So, let’s see how to set up that brand new headset on a Windows PC.
Connecting the headset
First of all, you need to make sure you are connecting the headset properly. By that I mean, connecting it to the right port. Now, most headphones either use the 3.5 mm jack or Bluetooth pairing. There are some that use USB-type connections, however, these are rarer.
So, obviously, every model uses a different mode of connecting. Also, there are rules for every kind of mode.
If you are asking which mode is the best, that question has no definitive answer. The 3.5mm jack and the USB provide the same features and same quality. Bluetooth pairing has some weaknesses but it provides comfort. It comes down to personal preference.
Connecting the 3.5 mm jack
Now, headsets that use this kind of connecting are fairly easy to use. You just plug in the jack in the right spot and you are good to go. However, headsets are not the same as headphones, they have a microphone too.
So, some models may have two 3.5 mm jacks. One for the speakers, one for the microphone. Usually, sound output headsets use the green color, for microphones is pink. Some models may not abide by this.
Either way, if there is only one 3.5 mm jack, plug it into the green port of your PC. If there are two jacks, green for speakers, pink for microphones.
Be careful when plugging the jack out, if you do it carelessly you may damage it. Not only the headset’s jack but the PC’s plug too.
Also, make sure that the sound plugs on your PC are working properly. If there is a problem with the ports, you will not be able to set up your headset. Sometimes, you’ll need a new sound card for your PC.
Connecting with USB
It’s the same with the USB type. Problems rarely occur, when they do, it’s probably your ports. Also, USB headsets come in with only one male port, so no confusion there.
Plug in the headset in one of your USB ports that are not occupied of course. Now, with USB headsets you’ll hear the Windows make a sound. That’s Windows telling you that it recognized your headset.
After that, on your desktop, you’ll see a notification. It tells you that a USB device has been recognized and that it’s being installed.
When done, you’ll see that your headset is ready to use. If this doesn’t, don’t worry, we’ll talk about that later.
As with the sound plugs, make sure that the USB ports on your PC are working. The headset’s male port can be problematic too.
Also, make sure that you don’t plug the headset into a USB extender. This kind of port kind of messes up the information and the sound quality may get worse.
And, be careful when ejecting your headset. You’ll need to inform Windows that you’ll eject your device before you use it. It’s the same with any USB device.
Usually, you can do this from the right end of the taskbar. However, if you can’t find it, go to Devices via Control Panel. Open that, and look for your headset.
Right-click on your headset and select Eject this device safely. After a certain sound, you can unplug your set. This saves your headset from being damaged.
Related article – The 5 Best Headsets For Zoom Meetings
Pairing with Bluetooth
Now, connecting your Bluetooth headset to your PC is not as simple as with the 3.5 mm jack.
Most PC users either use a Mac or a regular PC with Windows installed. Now, Mac’s hardware and software are both prepared by the same manufacturer. That isn’t the case with other PCs, Windows has nothing to do with hardware, it’s only the software.
So, most Windows PCs don’t have a Bluetooth card installed by default. Without additional equipment, you won’t be able to pair the headset.
What you need is a USB Dongle. This will act as a Bluetooth chip for your PC. Now you can start pairing your headset.
When it comes to pairing up your Bluetooth headset, there are two ways to go. Either your headset automatically or you have to do it yourself.
Start by turning on your headset and the PC’s Bluetooth. Then, hold the Bluetooth button on your headset until it signals you that it’s ready to pair.
If everything works well your headset will pair automatically after this. You’ll know when the headset and Windows inform you that the pairing was successful.
However, if this doesn’t work, you need to do it yourself. Basically, it’s the same process, only one part is different.
Again, turn the headset and PC Bluetooth on. Now, open Bluetooth on your PC. It will open a window with Bluetooth’s properties.
Switch to the headset and hold the Bluetooth button until it signals you that it’s on. Once turned on, the headset will appear on the window you opened.
Select the headset, and click on Pair with device. This should work for you, if not, keep calm, and we’ll talk about it in a minute.
Enough bout connecting, let’s see about setting up your headset.
Setting up the headset using Windows
When you are done connecting the headset, you should switch to Windows to complete the process. How do you do that?
First, you need to make sure that your headset is the selected sound output/input device. This is a simple task.
You need to open Sound settings. Either right-click on the speaker icon from the taskbar or, use Control Panel.
You’ll see a bar that shows what device is selected as the sound output device. Make sure that device is your headset and you’re good to go.
Now, in order for the microphone to work, it needs to be selected as the sound input device. Follow the same procedure, and look for a sound input bar in the Sound window.
What you need to do next is test if your headset works.
Of course, you can test the speakers simply by playing a song. However, you can test the speakers while testing the microphone.
Open Sound settings, go to Devices, and select your headset. A window should open up that has a bar on the top that says “test”.
When you open Test, you should be able to speak into the microphone. If you can hear yourself, the microphone works.
Also, you can record yourself. Use Cortana and open Recording. So, record yourself and play it back. If everything is well, your headset is set up.
If you weren’t able to set up your headset, it’s time to start troubleshooting.
Need options? – 15 Best Headsets For Working From Home & Buying Guide
How to troubleshoot?
The first thing to do is to make sure there aren’t any other devices interfering. Plug out other additional devices and see if the headsets work.
Next, make sure there isn’t any software interfering. If you installed some kind of sound software recently, that may be a problem. Try getting rid of it.
Sometimes headsets require the installation of drivers. Usually, Windows handles this automatically but not with every headset model.
Check if there’s a CD for your headset if not, look online. Drivers are free online, you won’t get into trouble.
If nothing works for you, the problem may be serious, more on that later. Now, let’s see about laptops.
Can you connect Bluetooth headphones to a laptop?
Laptops don’t have the same problem as PCs do. You don’t need a Dongle for laptops, they have a Bluetooth chip built-in.
So, obviously, you can connect Bluetooth headphones with a laptop. Actually, you can connect any Bluetooth device to a laptop. Pairing Bluetooth headphones to a laptop isn’t any different than pairing them to a PC. The process is the same.
Turn Bluetooth on your laptop, then turn on your headphones. Make sure that your headphones are charged. Hold the Bluetooth button on your headphones and wait for the pairing sound. Once done, the devices should be paired.
If this doesn’t work, follow the same procedure. However, before holding Bluetooth on your headphones, open the Bluetooth window on your laptop.
Then, hold Bluetooth on headphones and wait until they show up on the window you opened. Once they are available as a device, select Pair with device.
Your headphones should be paired with your laptop now, have fun using them.
Keep reading for more information on problems with headphones.
How to connect Jabra Bluetooth headset to a laptop
Unfortunately, you can’t connect a Jabra Bluetooth headset to a laptop. The Jabra headset is specifically designed for phones or tablets. I mean you can try, but even if it’s successfully paired up, they still wouldn’t work. So, how to try?
Turn them on by rotating the cushions as you would wear them on your head. When they are rotated with the cushions next to each other, they are turned off. Now, hold the Bluetooth button on the headset until the LED light starts flashing.
Then, select the Jabra headset on your laptop, and click Pair with device. The pairing should be successful. If not, there isn’t anything you can do. Even if it doesn’t work, the sound would be really bad and they just won’t work well. You will not get the best out of them.
Jabra has a pairing guide available online, you can find out more here.
Let’s see why you are having problems with your headphones on your PC.
Why won’t my headphones work on Windows 10?
Headphones are in great condition but they are not working is a common problem among PC users. Why is it so? Well, we went through a couple of reasons, we’ll go through them again just to be sure.
Is your hardware okay?
First of all, it’s important that the ports and the motherboard of the PC are working. This is the most common issue. Your ports may not work even if they look fine.
Try out other headphones with the same plug mode on your PC. If several headphones don’t work on your PC, it’s an indication that something is wrong.
Are your Windows 10 drivers up-to-date?
The thing everyone dislikes about Windows is its updates. It’s not that they are annoying, Windows doesn’t work properly if it’s not up-to-date.
So, make sure that your Windows is updated. You can do this by searching in Cortana. Look for Windows Updates and run it.
There would be a red text saying that your Windows is not updated, if not updated of course.
Select headphones as output sound device
We’ve talked about this already. Just open Sound settings and make sure your headphones are selected as the output device.
If your headphones are not selected as the default output device, you’ll have to change that every time you plug them in.
Also, make sure that the headphones are the output device in the application you’re using. Games will often set your speakers as the default device and not your headphones.
Bluetooth headphones not working
Now, with Bluetooth headphones, it’s kind of different. Don’t worry though, it’s simple.
Bluetooth headphones will not work if there’s any other Bluetooth device interfering. Turn off devices like that and try pairing your headphones.
Also, keep in mind that your headphones should be charged. A low battery can decrease Bluetooth efficiency.
Sound card not working
If you’ve tried everything and your headphones still won’t work, the PC’s sound cars may be broken.
If the sound card is not working, you won’t be able to use any kind of sound device. So, if nothing works, it’s time for a new sound card.
Well, this is the end, nothing more to say. I hope this helped you, good luck with your headset.
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