The basic steps depend on what kind of speaker and device you have

Most speakers connect in one of three ways: a cable plugged into a headphone jack or USB port, Bluetooth wireless, or WiFi. Bluetooth is the most common for phones and laptops. Wired speakers are usually cheaper and need no battery. WiFi speakers work across your whole home but require setup on your network. The method you use depends on what ports your device has, whether the speaker has a battery, and how far away you want to sit.

Before you start, check what your device actually has. Phones have Bluetooth and maybe a USB-C or Lightning port. Laptops have Bluetooth, USB ports, and sometimes a headphone jack. Older desktops might only have a headphone jack. Speakers come with instructions that list what they connect to — read that first, because it saves time.

Key Takeaways

  • Bluetooth speakers pair once and then reconnect automatically when you turn them on near your device.
  • Wired speakers need a cable that matches both your device's port and the speaker's input jack.
  • WiFi speakers require you to add them to your home network using their app or a setup button.
  • If sound still comes from your device's built-in speaker after connecting, you need to change which output device your device is using.

Connecting a Bluetooth speaker

Turn on the speaker first. Most Bluetooth speakers have a power button and a separate Bluetooth button, or a button you hold down to enter pairing mode. Check the manual or look for a light that blinks — that usually means it is ready to pair. On some speakers, holding the power button for three to five seconds enters pairing mode instead.

On your phone or laptop, go to Settings and find Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on. Your device will show a list of nearby Bluetooth devices. Find your speaker's name in that list and tap or click it. The speaker will beep or the light will stop blinking once they are connected. After that first time, they pair automatically whenever both are on and near each other.

If your device does not find the speaker, make sure the speaker is in pairing mode and within about 30 feet. If it still does not show up, restart both devices and try again. Some speakers have a reset button on the back — hold it for 10 seconds if pairing fails twice.

Connecting a wired speaker

Wired speakers need a cable that goes from your device to the speaker. The cable has two different ends: one plugs into your device, and one plugs into the speaker. Your device's end is usually a headphone jack (the small round one), USB-C, or Lightning. The speaker's end is usually a 3.5mm jack (same size as a headphone jack) or USB.

Match the cable to what your device has. If your phone has no headphone jack, you need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or a USB-C speaker cable. If your laptop has a headphone jack, a standard 3.5mm cable works. Plug the device end into your phone or laptop, then plug the speaker end into the speaker. The speaker should power on or show a light. Sound should come out immediately — if it does not, check that the cable is fully inserted on both ends.

If you hear nothing, your device may still be sending sound to its built-in speaker. On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner and select the speaker from the list. On Mac, go to System Settings, then Sound, and choose your speaker from the Output Devices list. On phones, go to Settings, then Sound or Audio, and look for an output option.

Connecting a WiFi speaker

WiFi speakers are larger and usually plug into a wall outlet. They connect to your home internet, not directly to your device. Download the speaker's app on your phone — the manual or the box will tell you which one. Open the app and look for a button that says "Add Device," "Set Up," or "Connect."

The app will ask you to choose your WiFi network and enter your WiFi password. Some speakers have a setup button on the back that you hold down while the app searches. Once connected, the app shows your speaker in a list. Tap it to play music. You can control volume and skip songs from the app, and multiple people on your home network can play music to the same speaker.

If the app cannot find your speaker, make sure it is plugged in and the light is on. Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the speaker still will not connect, check that your phone and the speaker are on the same WiFi network — some routers have separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, and older speakers only work on 2.4GHz.

Troubleshooting when sound does not come out

The most common problem is that your device is still using its built-in speaker instead of the one you just connected. On Windows, click the volume icon in the bottom right, then click the arrow next to the volume slider. You will see a list of audio outputs — select your speaker. On Mac, go to System Settings, Sound, and choose your speaker under Output Devices. On iPhones and iPads, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap the audio card at the top, and select your speaker.

If your device does not show your speaker in the output list, the connection did not work. For Bluetooth, forget the speaker and try pairing again. On iPhones, go to Settings, Bluetooth, find the speaker, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." On Windows, go to Settings, Bluetooth and Devices, find the speaker, and click Remove. For wired speakers, unplug the cable and plug it back in firmly. For WiFi speakers, restart the app and the speaker.

Check the volume on both your device and the speaker itself. Many speakers have a physical volume knob or buttons on the back. If the speaker volume is at zero, you will hear nothing even if everything is connected correctly. Also make sure the speaker is powered on — some have a small power light that should be on.

Choosing between connection types

Bluetooth is best if you want to move around your home or office without unplugging cables. Bluetooth speakers are portable, usually have a battery, and work with phones, tablets, and laptops. The downside is that Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, and walls weaken the signal. Bluetooth also drains your device's battery faster than wired speakers.

Wired speakers are cheapest and have no setup. They work instantly and never lose connection. The downside is you cannot move far from your device without unplugging the cable. Wired speakers also need a cable that matches your device's ports, which can be annoying if you have multiple devices with different ports.

WiFi speakers are best for a permanent setup in one room or for playing music throughout your home. They stay connected as long as your WiFi is on, and they work from anywhere in your house. The downside is they need to be plugged into power, they require WiFi setup, and they cost more than Bluetooth or wired speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect two speakers at the same time?

Most devices can only send sound to one Bluetooth speaker at a time, though some newer phones and laptops support dual audio. For wired speakers, you would need a splitter cable that plugs into one jack and has two outputs. WiFi speakers can often be grouped together in their app so one song plays on multiple speakers at once.

Why does my Bluetooth speaker keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth disconnects when your device moves out of range, when the speaker battery is low, or when something blocks the signal. Keep your device and speaker within 30 feet and away from microwaves and cordless phones, which interfere with Bluetooth. If it keeps dropping, forget the speaker and pair again, or restart both devices.

Do I need WiFi for a Bluetooth speaker?

No. Bluetooth connects directly to your device without using WiFi. WiFi speakers are different — they need WiFi to work. Bluetooth speakers only need WiFi if you want to stream music from a service like Spotify, but the Bluetooth connection itself does not require WiFi.

What if my device does not have Bluetooth?

Use a wired speaker with a cable that matches your device's ports. If you want wireless, you can buy a small Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your device's USB or headphone jack, then pair a Bluetooth speaker to that adapter. These adapters cost between $10 and $30.

Can I use a speaker made for one device on a different device?

Yes. Bluetooth speakers work with any device that has Bluetooth — phones, tablets, laptops, and even some smart TVs. Wired speakers work with any device that has the matching port. WiFi speakers work with any phone or laptop on your home network. The speaker does not care what brand your device is.