Yes, you can connect headphones to most TVs, but the method depends on your TV model and headphone type

Most modern TVs have at least one way to connect headphones — either a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, or through an external device like a soundbar or receiver. Older TVs are less likely to have a headphone jack built in, but you can still add one using an adapter or by routing audio through another device. The fastest route is usually Bluetooth if both your TV and headphones support it, since there are no cables to manage.

The catch is that not every TV makes headphone audio easy to find in the settings menu, and some models disable the headphone jack when an HDMI device is connected. Knowing which connection method your TV actually has — and whether it's active — saves you from buying an adapter you don't need.

Key Takeaways

  • A 3.5mm headphone jack is the simplest connection if your TV has one, but many newer TVs have removed it entirely.
  • Bluetooth headphones work with most TVs made in the last five years, but you may need to enable Bluetooth in the TV's audio settings first.
  • If your TV has neither a jack nor Bluetooth, you can connect headphones through a soundbar, receiver, or streaming device that sits between the TV and your headphones.
  • Some TVs disable the headphone jack when you plug in an HDMI cable, so check your TV's manual or settings if the jack suddenly stops working.

Using a 3.5mm headphone jack

If your TV has a 3.5mm jack — usually labeled "Headphone Out" or "Audio Out" on the back or side — plug your headphones in directly. The TV will automatically route sound to the headphones and usually mute the speakers, though some models let you play audio through both at the same time.

The problem is that many TVs made after 2018 no longer include a headphone jack. Manufacturers removed it to make TVs thinner and because most people now use Bluetooth or external speakers. If your TV doesn't have a jack, you'll need to use one of the other methods below.

Check your TV's manual or the back panel to confirm whether the jack is present. Some TVs have a small audio-out port that looks similar but is meant for speakers or soundbars, not headphones — plugging headphones into the wrong port can damage them.

Connecting Bluetooth headphones

Bluetooth is the easiest wireless option if your headphones and TV both support it. Put your headphones in pairing mode, then go to your TV's settings menu and look for "Bluetooth" or "Wireless Audio." Select your headphones from the list of available devices, and they should connect within a few seconds.

The exact steps vary by TV brand. On Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output > Bluetooth Speaker List. On LG TVs, go to Settings > Sound > Sound Out > Bluetooth. On Sony TVs, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Bluetooth Settings. If you can't find the Bluetooth menu, check your TV's manual — some older models don't have Bluetooth at all.

Once paired, your headphones will usually reconnect automatically when you turn them on near the TV. If they don't, unpair them from the TV's Bluetooth menu and pair again. Some TVs have a limit on how many Bluetooth devices can be paired at once, so if you have multiple headphones, you may need to remove an old pairing before adding a new one.

Using a soundbar or receiver

If your TV has neither a headphone jack nor Bluetooth, you can connect headphones to a soundbar or audio receiver instead. Plug the soundbar or receiver into your TV's audio-out port (usually labeled "Optical Out" or "Audio Out"), then plug your headphones into the soundbar or receiver's headphone jack.

This method works because the soundbar or receiver sits between your TV and your headphones, capturing the audio signal and passing it along. Most soundbars have a headphone jack on the back or side, and many also have Bluetooth, so you can use either wired or wireless headphones.

The downside is that you're buying an extra device just to use headphones. If you already own a soundbar or receiver for other reasons, this is a practical solution. If you don't, it's usually cheaper to buy a TV with a headphone jack or to use one of the other methods.

Connecting through a streaming device or cable box

If you watch TV through a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, or through a cable or satellite box, you can often connect headphones directly to that device instead of the TV. Many of these devices have a headphone jack or Bluetooth support built in.

For example, Roku devices have a headphone jack on the remote, and some Apple TV models support Bluetooth headphones through the Settings menu. Check your device's manual to see whether it has audio output and what type. This method only works if you're using that device to watch — if you're watching a broadcast channel through the TV's tuner, you'll need to use the TV's own audio output.

Using an adapter for older TVs

If your TV has an optical audio port (labeled "Optical Out" or "TOSLINK") but no headphone jack, you can buy an optical-to-3.5mm adapter for $10 to $20. Plug the adapter into the optical port, then plug your headphones into the adapter's 3.5mm jack.

These adapters are passive, meaning they don't need power, and they work with any headphones that have a 3.5mm connector. The downside is that they add a cable to your setup and only work if your TV actually has an optical port. Check the back of your TV before buying an adapter — if there's no optical port, this method won't work.

Some TVs have an RCA audio output instead of optical. In that case, you can buy an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter, though these are less common and may be harder to find.

Troubleshooting when headphones won't connect

If you've plugged headphones into your TV's jack and hear nothing, check whether the TV's audio output is set to "Headphones" rather than "Speakers" or "TV Speaker." Go to Settings > Sound or Audio and look for an option that says "Output" or "Audio Out." Select "Headphones" or "Headphone Jack" from the list.

If the jack was working before and suddenly stopped, your TV may have disabled it when you connected an HDMI device. Some TVs automatically switch audio output to an HDMI-connected soundbar or receiver and disable the headphone jack. Unplug the HDMI device, go back to Settings > Sound, and manually select the headphone jack as the output.

For Bluetooth headphones that won't pair, make sure your headphones are in pairing mode and fully charged. Restart both the headphones and the TV, then try pairing again. If the TV still doesn't see the headphones, check whether your TV's Bluetooth is actually turned on — some TVs have Bluetooth disabled by default in the settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all TVs have a way to connect headphones?

Most TVs have at least one method, but not all. Older TVs and budget models may have only a speaker output with no headphone option. If your TV has no jack and no Bluetooth, you can still use a soundbar, receiver, or streaming device as an intermediary to connect headphones.

Can I use wireless headphones with an older TV that has no Bluetooth?

Yes, if the TV has an optical or RCA audio output. Buy a Bluetooth transmitter designed for optical or RCA audio, plug it into your TV's audio port, and pair your wireless headphones to the transmitter. These devices cost $20 to $40 and are available from most electronics retailers.

Will connecting headphones mute my TV's speakers?

Usually yes, but not always. Most TVs automatically mute the speakers when you plug in headphones, but some let you play audio through both at the same time. Check your TV's audio settings to see whether there's an option to keep the speakers on while using headphones.

Can I connect multiple pairs of headphones to one TV?

Not directly through the TV's single headphone jack. If you want multiple people to hear the audio, you can use a headphone splitter (a $5 to $10 adapter that turns one jack into two), though this may reduce volume. For wireless, some TVs can pair multiple Bluetooth headphones at once, but this varies by model — check your TV's manual.

What if my headphones have a USB connector instead of 3.5mm?

Most TVs don't have USB audio input, so USB headphones won't work directly. You can use a USB-to-3.5mm adapter if your TV has a headphone jack, or connect the USB headphones to a streaming device or receiver that has USB ports and audio output.