Outputting sound through the laptop's built-in speakers or external speakers connected to it is not possible and appropriate in all situations. To immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a movie or game, cut out extraneous noise, communicate without interference via voice or video communication, and also not disturb others (for example, at night or in a room with poor sound insulation), it is better to connect the headphones to the laptop using one of the methods suitable for the user. The features of each type of connection and equipment configuration will be discussed below.
Types of connecting headphones to a mobile computer
Since consumer-grade headphones come in wired and wireless varieties, the methods for connecting them to a laptop depend on the technology used:
- wired ones are inserted into the connector on the case;
- wireless ones communicate with a PC via a radio channel (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
Connection options should be considered separately
Connecting wired headphones and headsets
The most common type of connector for audio output devices is a mini-jack (called a jack for short), a round socket with a diameter of 3.5 mm. It is usually located on the side of the laptop base, but there are models in which it is located in front, on the operator’s side. The connector is marked with an icon in the form of headphones; often a similar one for a microphone with the corresponding designation is placed next to it.
New laptop models (especially thin and ultra-compact ones) have one combined jack instead of two separate ones, as evidenced by the icon in the form of headphones with a microphone.
Computer headsets have two plugs that must be inserted into the appropriate sockets.
To avoid confusion, manufacturers paint the plastic insulation of the plugs in different colors: light green for headphones and pink for the microphone. The connectors on the cases of all stationary PCs and some laptop models are also marked, although color marking is not used on some portable devices. Headphones and headsets for smartphones, tablets and other gadgets are equipped with only one plug, which is painted the same shade as the wire. Combination jacks (also called headset jacks) are designed specifically for such devices.
Wi-Fi connection
Headsets and headphones with a built-in Wi-Fi module interact with the sound source via a radio channel. The signal is transmitted through the operation of a base station with an antenna, which is included with this type of wireless device. The station itself is connected to the laptop using wires: through standard audio connectors described in the previous section, or via USB.
Bluetooth connection
Devices that use this communication method are paired with a laptop equipped with a built-in or external Bluetooth adapter. In this case, the headset or headphones must first be charged and placed near the laptop, and the maximum distance from the transmitter should not exceed 10 meters.
Types of connectors and cables for connecting audio devices
All modern laptop computers are equipped with standard jacks, the diameter of which is 3.5 mm, but for correct audio output, you should take into account the differences between headphone and microphone plugs. There are two types of cables for such audio devices:
- regular, with two separate plugs for microphone and speakers;
- combined, with one plug.
These cables have a different number of contacts: three for each of the separate ones and four for the combined ones. In the first case, the set of channels includes left, right and general; in the second, a microphone contact is added to them. By combining channels on the headset cable, it was possible to reduce the number of plugs, and on the laptop - the number of sockets.
You can distinguish one type from another by external signs: the contacts on it are separated by dark stripes surrounding the plug in several places. The first variety has two such rings, the second has three. They should be inserted into standard or headset jacks, respectively.
If the types of sockets and plugs do not match, you can use adapters:
- Connecting the headset to a laptop with two jacks (for headphones and a microphone) is done using a splitter adapter with two plugs and one connector.
- Connecting ordinary headphones to a laptop equipped with a combined jack is done through an adapter with one plug, from which two wires with connectors at the ends extend.
Adapters for headphones and headsets will save the PC owner from the expense of purchasing new audio devices.
Set up wireless headphones
Let's look at how to set up wireless headphones by connecting the corresponding receiver they are equipped with to a PC.
To do this, first insert the headphone battery into the dedicated speaker (usually the left one), connect the charging base/transmitter to the power source using the included cable and place the headphones on the latter. to begin the first charging cycle.
When charging is complete, set the headphones and transmitter to the same channel, and turn on the headset by pressing the corresponding button.
Once that's done, connect the transmitter to your computer via the 3.5mm jack and you can finally start using it on Windows 10 in much the same way as you can with wired headphones.
How to connect wired equipment
First you need to inspect the plugs and jacks to find the symbols on the laptop case and find out whether you need to use an adapter. Then insert each plug all the way into the correct socket. You may need to apply a little force: Laptop manufacturers sometimes make the connectors tighter to prevent the materials from fraying due to frequent use.
After this, check the sound by playing a multimedia file on the computer and adjusting the volume on the headphones or headset themselves, as well as in the player program and operating system.
Headsets for mobile devices can be connected to the headphone jack, but the microphone will not work in this case.
How to connect a device via Wi-Fi
You need to do the following:
- Charge your headset or headphones in advance or change their batteries
- Insert the base station plugs into the desired audio connectors or a free USB socket (the type of connection depends on the model), and if necessary, power it through a power outlet.
- Activate the device (press the power button).
- Pair the headphones and the station according to the instructions that come with the equipment.
Then you will need to test and adjust the sound.
How to connect a device via Bluetooth
To connect and configure such headphones or a headset, you need to check the functionality of the wireless communication module on your laptop in advance. To do this, open the “Device Manager”, find the line “Bluetooth” and expand the list of components by clicking on the triangle to the left of the category name. Right-clicking on the adapter model will bring up a menu where you should select “Properties”.
In the window that opens, go to the “General” tab and pay attention to the “Device Status” section: the serviceability of the module is indicated by the inscription “The device is working normally.” If it is broken or missing, you should purchase an external adapter and insert it into an unoccupied USB port.
If Bluetooth is turned off on your laptop, there will be a downward-pointing arrow next to the line in Device Manager. In this case, you need to open the context menu of the component by right-clicking and select the “Engage” item in it.
In Windows 10, you will need to open the Action Center (the icon is located at the far right end of the taskbar) and click on the tile with the Bluetooth icon. When the adapter is working, the fill of the tile is blue, in another state it is gray. Another way to enable it is through the Start menu: Settings section (gear icon), Devices category. Move the Bluetooth switch to the “On” position.
Then you can proceed to connecting the headset. The procedure is different in different OS versions.
In Windows 7 the following steps are performed:
- Activate the search mode on your headphones or headset (usually by long pressing the power button).
- Open Bluetooth settings on your laptop by clicking on the tray icon.
- In the menu that appears, select “Add a device.”
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
If the icon is missing in the notification area, you need to open the “Network and Sharing Center” through the “Control Panel” (section “Network and Internet”) or click on the “Network” icon in the tray.
To connect headphones to a laptop in Windows 10, you need to turn them on, then go to “Devices” as described above, and click on “+” to add a new Bluetooth headset. On the connected device, activate pairing mode (most often you need to press and hold the power button for 10 seconds).
After activating the mode, in the “Add device” window, click on the “Bluetooth” line and select the detected model in the list that opens. A successful connection is indicated by the inscription “Connected”, which will appear under the name of the device.
