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If you have trouble connecting speakers or headphones to your computer, try the following steps.
- If your computer has an HDMI output, and you use an AV receiver, which has several HDMI inputs, you can connect the two with an HDMI cable. This sends digital audio to the receiver, but you can also use it if you’re playing video from the computer.
- Simply place the speakers where you want them and connect the power supply. Hook up the included speaker wire from the powered left speaker to the right passive speaker. Then connect your music source with the supplied cables - or go wireless with any Bluetooth enabled source device, like a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
- Older stereo speakers operate in the same manner, and with the same theory as modern speakers. While significant advances have been made in materials and cosmetics, fundamentally, the core physics haven't changed. Connecting older speakers to newer amplifiers and receivers is quite simple and intuitive.
Connecting speakers or headphones to a 3.5 mm mini jack
You can create a special wireless network dedicated just to your Sonos devices by connecting one speaker to your router with the supplied Ethernet cable. This is known as a wired set up. In a wired setup, the device connected to your router will broadcast a dedicated wireless network for Sonos to operate on.
How To Connect External Speakers To Laptop
On most portable speakers, the right-channel speaker is the 'main' speaker with the volume knob, and it often has two or more wires coming out of the back. One of these wires should connect to the left speaker, and another should have a 3.5 mm mini plug that connects to your computer's audio output jack. If your speakers require a power source to amplify the audio, there should also be a power cord. This cord needs to connect to a wall outlet or surge protector outlet.
In the back of the computer, connect the mini plug to the audio line-level output. This port is usually colored lime green, as in the picture at right.
Some motherboards may also have the following connections (not picutred) for 4, 5.1, 7.1 speaker setups.
- CS-Out - Center / subwoofer speaker.
- RS-Out - Rear surround sound line out.
- SS-Out - Side surround sound speaker.
USB speakers or headphones
To connect a set of USB speakers or headphones, insert the device's USB connector into one of your computer's open USB ports (as shown in the picture). The device should be automatically recognized by the computer. For additional information, consult the user manual for your device.
Laptop users
To connect speakers to a laptop with no sound out port, plug the mini plug into the headphones port.
Speakers with a subwoofer
If your speakers have a subwoofer, the right speaker plugs into the subwoofer. Make sure the subwoofer is also turned on if it has a power switch on the back.
Can I plug speakers into a running computer?
Yes. It is ok to plug in and disconnect speakers while the computer is on and running. Most operating systems today also show a pop-up notice when speakers are plugged into and disconnected from the computer.
Test the speakers
After the speakers are connected, adjust the volume to make sure it is not too loud or quiet by adjusting the volume knob. Open a sound or video file, put in an audio CD, or visit a site, like YouTube, to test the speakers and make sure they're working.
Do I need to install drivers for speakers?
No. Speakers do not need drivers. If no speakers are working with a computer, the sound card may need to have drivers installed.
Additional information
No products found.
It’s safe to say that we now live in a wireless world. People are moving from traditional stationary computers to mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, wireless headphones, and portable speakers.
Bluetooth is now a ubiquitous technology that’s has helped us get rid of cables in our homes and offices. Today, connecting your speaker to your laptop is quite simple, and it’s even easier with Windows 10, but not everyone knows how to do it. So, how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to laptop Windows 10?
Here’s How To Connect Bluetooth Speaker To Laptop Windows 10
To connect your wireless speaker to your PC, follow these steps:
Step 1
Ensure your Bluetooth speaker is on and is ready to pair. Some speakers use their On/Off buttons. But for others, you may need to hold down a button for some seconds until you see some little flashing light which indicates the device is ready to pair. Modern speakers have gone the extra mile and are now using voice command to turn on Bluetooth.
Step 2
On your laptop, click on the “Start” button, then choose “Settings,” and click on the “Devices” icon. When the “Devices” page appears, you’ll see a list of all installed devices. On the left side of the Device window, you’ll see the Bluetooth icon. Click on the icon and let your computer start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your speaker should be among the detected devices. If it doesn’t appear, head back to the first step and check whether your speaker is still on and ready to pair.
Step 3
When the PC detects your speaker, you’ll see it listed under the “Add a Device Button” bar. Click on it. Most times, you will need to put in the Bluetooth speaker’s code to pair. Here is where things get a little bit sticky. For security purposes, you’ll need to prove that you are actually sitting in front of your PC and that you are not an imposter trying to break in.
Different Models Employ Different Techniques
Most times, you might be needed to type in a secret passcode into both the computer and speaker (the code is usually somewhere in the speaker’s manual). On some other devices, you’ll have to hold a button for some seconds. While on others, you’ll have to click the pair button on the display screen.
The Universal Bluetooth Code
If nothing is working, try to type in “0000” on your computer. This is often recognized as the universal Bluetooth code for frustrated devices that don’t pair. Once the speaker successfully pairs, its name and/or icon should appear on the “Devices” page.
See? That’s how easy it is to connect Bluetooth speaker to laptop windows 10.
Troubleshooting Tips for Bluetooth Speakers that Do Not Pair
Sometimes your wireless speaker might not connect to your Windows 10 laptop.
https://youtu.be/TAnGWUjOcsM
Sometimes your wireless speaker might not connect to your Windows 10 laptop, but don’t panic, because there are other strategies you can follow.
https://youtu.be/TAnGWUjOcsM
If you have religiously followed the steps and nothing is working, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- Download a driver: If your speaker does not pair with your computer, you might be lacking the appropriate driver on your PC. The easiest way to solve this is by searching online for the name of the speaker, along with the word “driver.” Make sure you download drivers from credible and reputable sites only.
- Incompatibility: Though this is rarely an issue, your speaker might not be compatible with your PC. Some brands clearly spell out what they can connect with and what they can’t connect with. Check your user manual for the complete details.
- Move your speaker away from the USB 3.0 port: The USB 3.0 can interfere with the Bluetooth connections. This is especially true for newer laptops with high-speed USB 3.0 ports. Try pairing the speaker away from your PC.
- Get the speaker and laptop away from the Wi-Fi Router: Another Bluetooth pairing obstacle is Wi-Fi connections. Wi-Fi connections use the same spectrum as Bluetooth connections; hence, they can easily cause interference. So, make sure both your PC and speaker are not close to the router. Alternatively, you can switch off your Wi-Fi router.
- Delete the Bluetooth speaker from your PC and reconnect it: If your computer detects the speaker’s Bluetooth connection but does not pair, simply remove the speaker from the list of connections on your PC and start from step 1 again. To remove the speaker, click on its name and tap “Forget.”
- Fully charge both devices: Some speakers and laptops have smart power management systems that disable any Bluetooth connections if the battery is too low. Make sure both devices have at least a 50% charge.
- Switch off likely Bluetooth interferers: If another device – say your phone – has its Bluetooth on, this could be the problem. Laptops tend to connect to older Bluetooth connections quickly than newer ones automatically.
- Power both devices off and then back on: A simple reset could do the trick.
- Bring the devices closer to each other: Sometimes, your speaker’s Bluetooth connections might not be strong enough to handle the distance. Bring the devices closer together and try to pair them once more.
The Best Speakers For Laptops
Now that we’ve discussed the best strategies to follow to connect your speaker to your laptop, let’s look at some of the best portable speakers to use for laptop use. There are numerous devices on the market that can stream audio from your phone, tablet or laptop, but the products we’ve found are dedicated to laptops and computers.
Logitech Z205 Portable Computer Speaker
Features
Once you’ve connected the speaker to your laptop, you can adjust the audio settings in your Windows’ Control Panel and these will automatically save for each time you use the speaker. For such a reasonable price, this Logitech computer speaker has an audio performance you won’t be disappointed with. Plus, it’s not complicated or overwhelming to use.
Keep it attached to your computer and use it each time you listen to music, watch videos or play games; it’s a great compact speaker that looks stylish and you’d believe cost more than what it is.
Design
We love that this Logitech Z205 is lightweight and easily clips onto your laptop or notebook, making it convenient to carry around with you. Setting up this speaker is easy and painless. Once you’ve attached it to your laptop, simply plug the USB cord into your laptop and you’re ready to use the speaker.
These speakers are 7 inches long are presented in a black plastic case to ensure that they last as long as possible. The feet underneath the device clips to the top of your laptop so you can direct the soundwaves toward you. If you want to adjust the volume settings at any time, you can do this via the top of the speaker, where there’s also a power button once you’re ready to switch the speaker off.
GoGroove SonaVerse Laptop Speaker
Features
For a portable speaker, you aren’t going to get the power of bookshelf speakers or home theatre speakers, but we’re impressed by the quality this laptop speaker offers. When you increase the volume, you’ll experience a punchy bass, although some high-end frequencies can be slightly piercing on the ears. But if you generally like playing warm, acoustic tracks, GoGroove will bring the sounds to life and make it feel like you’re experiencing a live performance.
As laptops are becoming smaller and smaller, you’ll find you need additional speakers to enhance the sound. There isn’t much bass with the GoGroove laptop speaker as the frequency response is between 135Hz and 20kHz, but there’s more emphasis on electric and acoustic bass and treble than a thumping beat. Although this might not be a huge advantage for listening to rap and hip-hop, it’s an ideal feature when listening to vocals.
Design
The Gogroove portable laptop speaker features a white plastic with blue LED lights and a black grille on the front of the drive. Weighing only a total of 2.5 pounds, this speaker is one of the lightest you can buy, and it measures 5.8 x 4.4 x 2.7 inches to provide a comfortable fit on your disk. You won’t believe it by the bass response, but the passive radiators are made from paper. The left speaker showcases the GoGroove logo, while the right is more simple, so it’s easy to differentiate between the two when setting up the speaker.
Connect Wired Speakers Wirelessly
To connect the speaker to your laptop, there’s a five-foot USB cord that runs from the back of the left speaker and connects to your device. If you’d prefer not to have cord on display, you can purchase a separate AC adapter to go wireless. At the back, there’s a volume knob, which might be out of place for some, but once you’ve found the appropriate volume level, you can keep it like this.
Anker Classic Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Features
Although this Anker Classic portable laptop speaker might be a small unit, it produces a powerful sound. The two inches driver and 3 watts of power create some serious sound and there’s also no distortion as you increase the volume. Throughout the frequencies, the audio is fresh and clear so you’ll never misunderstand what someone says again. When you’ve fully charged it, this Anker Classic speaker will last up to 20 hours and it only takes a couple of hours to reboot the battery to completely full.
You can connect your smartphone to the speaker so any incoming calls will come through this device. Plus, the built-in microphone makes it convenient for answering important calls without having to move from your desk. Once you’ve hung up, the speaker will automatically continue your playlist from its last point.
We love that Anker Class speaker has wireless technology and connects via Bluetooth to your laptop, but you can also use this on mp3 players, Apple products, Windows, your smartphone, etc. at your own convenience.
Design
This Bluetooth speaker comes in a cute, small design that you can carry around with you. This also means it doesn’t take up much room on your desk. Anker Classic speaker is available in grey, blue, black, and white, so everyone can pick a color they’ll love.
Anker purposely created this unit with the driver facing up to direct the sound up and toward the listener rather than into your desk or a wall.
Minirigs Minirig 2
Features
If you’re searching for laptop speakers on a budget, Minirigs Minirig 2 has all the technology you could need while not costing you the earth. To get this speaker ready for action, it’ll take between two and three hours to charge and last up to 10 hours of audio time.
The laptop speaker shines during the midrange frequencies and breathy vocals are often clear and detailed; this is a great feature if you love listening to music while working. As you become more aware of this speaker’s audio quality, you’ll find that there are multiple dimensions to songs. For example, some lyrics are presented at the center of the speaker, while others sound more to the back. This versatility makes helps to make you feel as though you’re in the middle of the action.
Design
To put this speaker’s size into perspective, it’s around the height and shape of a soda can. It’s a fairly small speaker with a 15W amplifier powering the sound. Compared to the previous selections we’ve shared, this isn’t one of the most attractive speakers you can spend your money on. However, it’s made from anodised aluminum and comes in a healthy selection of colors, while remaining splash resistant. This means it isn’t quite waterproof to store near open water but can withstand a few accidentally spillages from time to time.
Using Your Phone as a Bluetooth Speaker
With these steps and troubleshooting tips on how to connect your speaker to a laptop Windows 10, your pairing should be successful. But did you know that you can also use your phone as a Bluetooth speaker and fair this with your laptop?
Begin by downloading SoundWire – an app you download to your Windows laptop (compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10). Make sure your Bluetooth connection is switched on on your phone. This should automatically connect, although you might have to accept this connection manually on your phone. Once you’re ready to play music, you can adjust the volume and switch songs conveniently your laptop.
Do you have any advice on how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a laptop? Or do you know any additional laptop speakers that produce high-quality? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments to keep this conversation going.