How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4?

Have you ever been curious about how to connect Bluetooth headphones to PS4? You are not alone. A lot of gamers are fond of the convenience of a wireless sound but they find it difficult to hook their headphones to the Sony console. The PS4 only has certain Bluetooth profiles and a few official headsets, so most users are confused when trying to adopt them. 

The bad news is that you can easily find a number of tested methods to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the PS4, be it through direct connection, using USB adapters, controller cables, or even with your TV or smartphone. This comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through every procedure so that you can make your games sound and chat lag-free.

Why Connecting Bluetooth Headphones to PS4 Is Complicated

In comparison to PCs or smartphones, the PS4 is not compatible with Bluetooth in many ways. To avoid latency and the audio delay during gaming, Sony limits Bluetooth audio connections to its certified headsets. 

The codecs that most Bluetooth headphones are using (such as SBC, AAC, or aptX) are not supported by the PS4. This is why when you make attempts to connect them, you frequently receive the error message of “Cannot connect to Bluetooth audio device.” 

But you can still ensure that your favorite headphones perform excellently with the appropriate method and equipments. Let’s explore the options.

Prepare Before Pairing

To prevent any errors in connections and frustrations before starting connecting your Bluetooth headphones to PS4, there are several steps that you should take.

Check Your Headphones

Ensure that your bluetooth headphones are charged. The low battery level may cut off the pairing process or make them not seen in the Bluetooth list. Also, make sure they are not already connected with some other device such as your phone or laptop.

Keep Devices Close

To achieve optimal results, a pairing of your headphones and PS4 should be kept within a few feet apart. Bluetooth signals can be interfered with by walls or metal objects.

Decide on Mic Requirements

There are some pairing technologies that provide audio alone and some have audio and microphone support. In case you are using voice chat, ensure you use an approach that can support a mic.

Method 1: Direct Pairing Through PS4 Settings

When It Works

Direct pairing is possible when your Bluetooth headset is PlayStation-certified, or designed specifically to use with consoles. 

• Such models as headsets by Sony, such as Gold or Platinum, tend to connect in this manner. 
• Steps to Connect Switch on your headphones and place them in pairing mode. 
• At the PS4, select the option of settings, followed by devices, then the Bluetooth devices. 
• Wait until your headphones show up in the list and choose them. After the connection, open Settings and then the Audio Devices. 
• Go to the Output Device and select your headset and set the Output to Headphones to All audio.

Pros and Cons

This technique is the simplest when your headset is compatible. It provides wireless sound, which is clean without additional accessories. Nevertheless, the majority of standard Bluetooth headphones would not be compatible with the connection. Microphone functions can fail even in this case.

Method 2: Connect Using a USB Bluetooth Adapter

Why This Is the Best Solution

The surest way to connect the Bluetooth headphones to PS4 is using a USB Bluetooth device, also known as a dongle. These are adapters that connect your PS4 to your headphones, circumventing the limitations of the built-in Bluetooth of your PS4.

How to Use a Bluetooth Adapter

Insert the USB dongle in one of the PS4 USB ports. Place the dongle into a pairing mode, and make sure that your headphones are also in a pairing mode. The two devices are supposed to automatically connect. After pairing, go to the Settings Devices audio devices to verify that you are sending your sound to the right destination. 

In the event that your adapter also possesses a little microphone attachment, insert it into your controller to allow you to chat.

Benefits of Using an Adapter

This is a way of attaching most Bluetooth headphones brands and gives a steady and quality sound. Low-latency audio is also provided by many adapters in order to reduce latency in the gameplay.

Drawbacks

Other cheap adapters might simply relay audio and not the microphone. Never buy without checking the details of the product.

Method 3: Connect via the PS4 Controller’s 3.5mm Jack

How It Works

Whether you have detachable audio cable on your Bluetooth headphones or not, it is the most fool proof method of listening to a game and also chatting. You will be playing wired with your headset by having the cable plugged to the DualShock 4 controller.

Steps to Connect

Insert one end of the 3.5mm cable into your headphones and the other end into the headphone jack on the controller. Then, in the Settings, Devices, Audio Devices, choose Headset Connected to Controller and set Output to Headphones to all audio.

Why It’s Reliable

The solution ensures full mic support and zero-latency, which is why this solution is the most suitable one for competitive gamers who require instant audio response. The only disadvantage is that you will be bound to the cable and may not move freely.

Method 4: Connect Through Your TV or a Bluetooth Transmitter

Using Your TV’s Bluetooth

A significant number of current television sets have Bluetooth audio. When your TV has it, you can directly connect your headphones to the TV and as the PS4 can transmit its sound through the television over HDMI, you can hear game audio without wires. Turn on the Bluetooth functions of your television, place your headphones in the pairing mode, and choose them on the list. 

When you are connected all the audio of the game will go through your headphones.

Using a Bluetooth Transmitter

When a TV does not have built-in Bluetooth, an external transmitter is available to you which is connected to the optical or headphone jack on your TV. This transceiver then transmits audio on PS4 to your Bluetooth headphones just like any Bluetooth device would.

Pros and Limitations

It works perfectly as a one-player game solution or where you simply want to enjoy private listening without the chat. Voice chat and mic support isn’t compatible with the TV connection, however, and there may be some lag in audio based on the Bluetooth version of your TV.

Method 5: Use PS4 Remote Play

What Remote Play Does

PS4 Remote Play allows you to stream your console to a PC, Mac or a smartphone. When you pair your Bluetooth headphones to play with the device via Remote Play, its device takes care of audio and mic capabilities rather than the PS4.

How to Set It Up

Install the PS4 Remote Play app, log in using your PlayStation account, and connect it to your console. After connecting, pair your Bluetooth headphones with your computer or phone. Plug in a Remote Play and you can hear the game as well as receive chat right through your headset.

Pros and Cons

Remote Play is much more flexible and can use almost any Bluetooth headset. But it depends on the internet connection stability, and you might experience a little lag in high-speed games.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Headphones Don’t Appear in Bluetooth List

Ensure that your headphones are not already attached to another device. Before trying again, restart the PS4 and headphones.

No Sound After Pairing

In case you have been able to connect successfully but cannot hear anything, go to Settings → Devices → Audio Devices and make sure that the option of Output to Headphones is set to All Audio.

Mic Not Working

The majority of standard Bluetooth connections do not support mic input on PS4. Insert a dongle having mic support or using your headphones through the controller cable.

Audio Lag

In case of a lagging sound, you can use an adapter that can be aptX Low Latency or use wired connection to ensure perfect sync.

Final Recommendations

The process of connecting Bluetooth headphones to PS4 may appear to be complex initially, but it will be easy to do it after you get familiar with the constraints of the console.

In case you prefer a totally wireless setup, a USB Bluetooth adapter  will be the most appropriate. To ensure that there is no latency (mic and zero) connect your headset through the controller’s 3.5mm jack. When you are playing alone or watching media, it is always a good idea to pairing via TV Bluetooth or using Remote Play . 

Whatever approach you prefer, now you can experience the full immersion of audio and smooth gameplay on your PlayStation 4, without disrupting the people nearby.

FAQs About How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4