This article provides a general overview of how to connect different Bluetooth devices to your Sony TV, including headphones, soundbars, and speakers. You can also find out more about Bluetooth compatibility, how to connect to a non-Bluetooth TV, and how to troubleshoot common Bluetooth connection issues.
Before you start:
- Check that your Android or Google TV supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). Only models that support this Bluetooth profile can pair with Bluetooth audio devices. All your product details can usually be found in the Help guide (Web manual) section of the Sony Support website.
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How to access the online manual
- Go to the Sony Support website.
- Type your Model Name in the search bar (e.g. WF-1000XM4).
- Click on your Model Name in the search results.
- Scroll down to the Manuals section, then choose your preferred language from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the Help Guide (Web manual) located just below the drop-down menu.
- Use the index to browse the Help Guide or type a search word (e.g. ‘Bluetooth pairing’) in the search bar in the top left-hand corner.
- Select the most relevant answer in the search results.
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets cannot be connected to the TV via Bluetooth.
For details on how to pair your Bluetooth device with the TV, jump to the How to connect your Bluetooth devices to the TV section (click or tap the link).
If you can't connect your Bluetooth device to the TV, jump to the Troubleshooting Bluetooth connection issues section (click or tap the link).
What is the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)?
The A2DP is a type of Bluetooth profile that supports the exchange of high-quality stereo audio signals. It enables you to connect your Bluetooth audio devices (e.g. headphones, soundbars, speakers) to an A2DP-supporting Android or Google TV.
If both the Bluetooth device and the TV support the A2DP Bluetooth profile, they should be able to connect. However, we cannot guarantee a connection with all Bluetooth audio devices.
What if my Android TV doesn't support the A2DP?
If your TV doesn’t support the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can invest in a third-party Bluetooth dongle or wireless transmitter (e.g. Sony’s Wireless Transmitter WLA-NS7). Connecting this device to the optical output terminal on the TV will allow you to set up a Bluetooth connection between your TV and audio device. Refer to this support article for details on how to connect your Bluetooth audio device to the TV using a dongle or wireless transmitter.
To check your TV’s compatibility and supported audio devices, refer to the following article: Can I use Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and soundbars with my Android TV or Google TV?
Alternatively, you can check if your Sony TV supports the A2DP profile via the Sony Support website:
- Go to the Sony Support website.
- Type the Model name in the search bar.
- Click on Specifications.
- Scroll down to the Connectivity section.
- Check that A2DP (stereo audio) is listed under Bluetooth Profile Support.
How to connect your Bluetooth devices to the TV
Tap or click the following links to jump to the relevant section:
Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to the TV
Before you start:
- It’s important to check that your Bluetooth devices have sufficient power. The pairing procedure may fail if one or more of the devices have low battery power.
Your Bluetooth headphones should automatically go into pairing mode the first time you turn them ON, either right after purchasing them or resetting the headphones. This process makes them discoverable on your TV (for a few minutes).
You can also manually activate pairing mode. Refer to this article for detailed instructions: BRAVIA Connectivity Guide — Headphones — Bluetooth.
1. Set the headphones to pairing mode
The following steps may differ depending on your model:
- Press and hold the Pairing (or Power) button on your device for about 7 seconds.
- Pairing mode is activated when you hear an audio cue (i.e. 'Bluetooth Pairing') or see a blue flashing LED light.
2. Pair the headphones with the TV
The steps below may differ depending on your model:
- Set the TV to pairing mode:
- Press the HOME button on the remote control.
- Select Settings > Bluetooth settings > Add device.
- Press the ENTER button.
The TV will then enter pairing mode and search for available devices.
- Pair the headphones with the TV:
- Place the Bluetooth headphones and TV within 1 metre (3 feet) of each other during the pairing procedure.
- Once the TV detects the headphones, the device name of the headphones will appear at the upper right of the screen.
- Select the device name.
- Press the ENTER button.
Pairing is complete when the text under the device name changes to Paired and a 'Bluetooth connection is complete' message appears on the TV screen.
- Use the remote control to select a TV programme or connected device input.
- Check if you can hear audio from the TV programme or connected device input from your headphones.
If the pairing procedure isn't successful, your device will automatically turn OFF.
Connecting your Bluetooth soundbar to the TV
Before you start:
- Remember to disconnect any HDMI cables that are connected to your soundbar. Your soundbar won’t be able to make a Bluetooth connection to the TV while an HDMI cable is inserted. If you insert an HDMI cable while your soundbar and TV are connected via Bluetooth, the Bluetooth connection will end and switch to an HDMI connection instead.
Refer to this article for detailed instructions: BRAVIA Connectivity Guide — Sound Bar — Bluetooth.
1. Set the soundbar to pairing mode
The steps below may vary depending on your model:
- Turn the TV ON.
- Turn the soundbar ON using the supplied remote control.
- Point the remote control at the soundbar's receiver located in the front panel display.
- Press and hold (at the same time for 5 seconds) the Bluetooth button on the top of the soundbar’s bar speaker and the TV button on the soundbar’s remote control.
- The soundbar is in pairing mode when the front panel display in the bar speaker displays BT and the Bluetooth indicator flashes quickly.
2. Pair the soundbar with the TV
The steps below may vary depending on your model:
- Set the TV to pairing mode:
- Press the HOME button.
- Select Settings > Bluetooth settings > Add device.
- Press the ENTER button.
- This will set the TV to pairing mode.
- Pair the soundbar with the TV:
- Place the soundbar and TV within 1 metre (3 feet) of each other during the pairing procedure.
- When the TV detects the soundbar, the device name and soundbar status will appear in the upper right of the screen. Select the device name and press the ENTER button.
Note: The pairing is complete when the text under the device name changes to Paired and a 'Bluetooth connection is complete' message appears.
- Check the connection status on the soundbar.
The following connection indicators depend on the soundbar:
- Pairing is complete if the front panel display in the bar speaker changes to TV (BT) and the Bluetooth indicator lights up in blue.
- Pairing is complete if the Bluetooth indicator and TV indicator on the top of the bar speaker light up.
- Using the remote control, select a TV programme or connected device input.
- Check if you can hear audio from the TV programme or connected device input from the soundbar.
Connecting your Bluetooth speakers to the TV
Your smart speaker can also work as a Bluetooth speaker if you use a TV that supports the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).
Refer to this article for detailed instructions: BRAVIA Connectivity Guide — Smart Speaker.
To pair the smart speaker to the TV using the Bluetooth function:
- Press and hold the Bluetooth (or Pairing) button to set your speaker into Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Turn the TV ON.
- Set your TV's Bluetooth function to On:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth settings > Bluetooth > On.
- Establish a Bluetooth pairing:
- Go to your TV Bluetooth settings.
- Find and select your speaker’s name.
Note: You may be prompted to enter a passkey (also referred to as a passcode, password, PIN code, or PIN number) to complete the pairing. In this case, you may enter 0000.
- Start Playback.
Connecting other Bluetooth devices to the TV
You can also connect other Bluetooth devices to your Sony TV such as a home theatre system, remote control, and wireless subwoofer.
Refer to the BRAVIA Connectivity Guide for detailed instructions on how to pair these Bluetooth devices with your TV.
Troubleshooting Bluetooth connection issues
Before you start:
Select (click or tap) a topic below:
Your Bluetooth device doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list
If your Bluetooth device doesn't show up in the list of available or connected devices, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
- Your Bluetooth device is too far away from the TV.
- While in pairing mode, your Bluetooth device should be placed within 1 metre (3 feet) from the TV.
- Your Bluetooth device has low battery power.
- Pairing can fail if one or more of your devices aren't sufficiently charged.
- Your Bluetooth device and TV have different Bluetooth profiles.
- The Bluetooth profile for your device and the TV must be compatible in order for a Bluetooth connection to be made. For example, some TVs support Bluetooth remotes, but not Bluetooth headphones. In this case, the headphones need a different Bluetooth profile than the remote control in order to connect to your TV.
How to check your device's supported Bluetooth profiles
- Go to the Sony Support website.
- Type the Model name in the search bar.
- Click on Specifications.
- Scroll down to the Connectivity section.
- Check the supported profiles listed under Bluetooth Profile Support.
- Refer to this article for more details about Bluetooth profiles: My TV has Bluetooth, but I can’t connect my headphones.
Note: Since supported profiles differ depending on the device, some Bluetooth devices may not connect or work properly even when they are connected.
Your TV is already connected to a different Bluetooth device.
- Your Bluetooth device won’t appear in the Bluetooth list if it’s already connected with a different device (e.g. your TV may already be connected to a friend's speaker or headphones). You need to disable that connection first.
You are trying to pair more than one Bluetooth device to the TV.
- Many new Bluetooth devices automatically go into pairing mode the first time you turn them on. However, when you pair a second device, you must manually activate pairing mode. For more details on first-time versus second-time pairing, refer to this article: Tips on pairing Bluetooth headphones and other devices.
- Bluetooth devices usually connect with the last device they linked with. Once a Bluetooth connection between two devices is active, a third device won't be able to pick them up (unless they support multipoint connection). In this case, you can either disconnect the connection or completely remove the pairing information of the device.
- Go to your device's Bluetooth menu.
- Select Forget / Remove device.
- Only one Bluetooth audio device can be connected to the TV at a time (e.g. headphones, soundbar, speaker). However, it is possible to connect a Bluetooth audio device and a Bluetooth device such as a keyboard or remote control at the same time. Turn off any Bluetooth devices that you are not using, or cancel the pairing by another method, and then connect the desired Bluetooth device again.
You can also try turning Bluetooth OFF and ON again on your Bluetooth device. This process refreshes the Bluetooth list.
Your Bluetooth connection cuts off
If your Bluetooth connection cuts off, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
- There's too much distance between your Bluetooth device and TV.
- Be mindful of the Bluetooth distance threshold. If your Bluetooth device and TV are placed 10 metres away from each other, you will begin to hear noise and sound disturbances. If you go beyond that, the Bluetooth connection will be cut.
- Your Bluetooth connection is being affected by household objects.
- Bluetooth devices communicate using the 2.4GHz band, which can deteriorate or cut out occasionally due to local area network (LAN) interference. This communication interference may be caused by household items such as metal objects, thick concrete walls or beams, and wave-emitting devices (e.g. microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, laptops). It's important to create enough distance between these items and your Bluetooth device or TV during the pairing process.
For other Bluetooth connection issues
If your issue isn't listed above, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
Perform a software update
It’s important to update your Sony TV to the latest firmware/software version available to ensure optimal performance.
- Go to the Sony Support website.
- Type your Model name in the search bar.
- Select your model in the Results list.
- Scroll down to the Downloads section, or select the Downloads tab.
- Select the latest firmware/software update located at the top of the list.
Alternatively, you can download the Support by Sony app to receive firmware/software update notifications.
If you experience issues after a software update, you may have to perform a power reset or factory data reset of your TV.
Perform a power reset
Perform a factory data reset
If a power reset fails, but you can access the Settings menu, you can perform a factory data reset via the system settings:
- On the remote control, press the Quick Settings button, HOME button, or ACTION MENU button depending on your TV/remote control.
- Select the settings cog or arrow.
- The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select System > About > Reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything > Yes.
- Select Device Preferences > Reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything > Yes.
- Select Storage & reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything > Yes.
- The factory reset may take a few minutes. Wait until the process is complete. The TV will then start the initial setup.
Refer to this article for more details: How to reset your Sony TV (soft restart, power cycle or factory data reset).
Disconnect and reconnect your Bluetooth device
How to disconnect your Bluetooth device:
1. Open the Settings screen.
How to access Settings
- Using the Quick Settings button (for models released in 2019 or later)
- Press the Quick Settings button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
- Using the HOME button
- Press the HOME button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
2. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select Remotes & Accessories → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect → Disconnect.
- Select Remotes & Accessories → Bluetooth settings → Registered devices → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect→ Disconnect.
- Select Bluetooth settings → Registered devices → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect → Disconnect.
How to reconnect your Bluetooth device:
1. Open the Settings screen.
How to access Settings
- Using the Quick Settings button (for models released in 2019 or later)
- Press the Quick Settings button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
- Using the HOME button
- Press the HOME button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
2. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select Remotes & Accessories → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect → Connect.
- Select Remotes & Accessories → Bluetooth settings → Registered devices → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect→ Connect.
- Select Bluetooth settings → Registered devices → select the Bluetooth device you want to disconnect → Connect.
Refer to this support article for more information: How do I reconnect my Bluetooth device to the TV?
Helpful resources
For additional troubleshooting support, refer to the following articles: