How to Connect Wireless Headphones to Xbox Series X or S

Only certain wireless headsets and headphones work with Xbox

By
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Writer
  • Shoreline Community College
Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles .
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Updated on November 20, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • Plug headphones into base station. If they don't connect, press sync button on console.
  • Xbox Series X or S consoles are only compatible with wireless headsets designed for Xbox One and Series X|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.

Wireless headphones with an Xbox Series S.
 Jeremy Laukkonen

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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