Getting two Bluetooth headphones to play at the same time on Windows 11 isn’t exactly a walk in the park — of course, Windows has to make things a bit trickier than they need to be. There’s no native way to do this, so you’ll need to get a bit creative with some software tricks. This can come in handy if you want to share your tunes or games with a mate without blocking out other sounds, or just want to jam out with two wireless sets for yourself. The basic idea is hooking up both headphones, tweaking some system settings, and using virtual audio devices to send sound to both. It’s a bit messy, but once you’ve set it up right, it works. Expect some lag and mili-second issues, but honestly — it’s better than just one device at a time.
How to Rip into Using Two Bluetooth Headphones at Once on Windows 11
Connect both headphones to your PC
This first step’s pretty straightforward but important. Turn on each Bluetooth headset and pop ’em into pairing mode (usually hold the power button until the LED flashes). Then head over to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and click on Add Bluetooth or other device. Pair each one separately. Sometimes Windows only sees one at a time, but keep trying and make sure both show as connected in your device list. It can be a pain, but once both are hooked up, you should see them both listed under sound options.
Set both headphones as default playback devices
This is where it gets a bit odd. Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and pick Open Sound settings. Under Output, you’ll see a dropdown with your devices. Usually, Windows only lets you pick one. So, you’ll want to enable “Stereo Mix” or set up a virtual audio device. Sometimes, both headsets might appear here, but often only one, or none. If they’re not both available at once, don’t stress — you’ll need some software for the next part.
Download and install virtual audio cable or stereo mix software
The tricky bit — Windows doesn’t natively send audio to two outputs at once. You’ll need a virtual audio device like VB-Audio Cable. It’s free but a tad clunky. Download and install it, then set it as your default playback device for now. This software creates a fake sound device that can route audio to multiple outputs at the same time, including your Bluetooth headphones.
Configure the virtual audio device and set up the output
Open the VB-Audio Cable Control Panel and make sure your system’s sound is routed through the virtual cable. Then, in Sound Settings, set the virtual cable as your default device. Afterwards, add each Bluetooth headset as an output. It might take a bit of fiddling to get both recognised. Sometimes, just selecting both as outputs in the sound mixer or stereo mix settings does the trick. Essentially, the system will send audio through the virtual cable, which then distributes it to both headsets.
Adjust volume for clarity and sync
This part can be a bit frustrating — there might be lag or volume imbalances. Use the sound mixer (right-click the speaker icon, choose Open Volume Mixer) to tweak the levels. You may also need to fiddle with latency or sync settings in your virtual cable software. Sometimes, plugging in wired headphones temporarily helps you calibrate the sound before switching back to Bluetooth. Be aware that codecs can cause delay — different brands and models might not stay perfectly in sync. Keep your Bluetooth drivers up-to-date — outdated drivers cause all sorts of quirks.
Tips to Make Your Dual Bluetooth Setup Better
- Check for driver updates regularly, especially for your Bluetooth chipsets and headset firmware.
- If you can, use headphones from the same brand or with low-latency capabilities — means less delay and fewer sync headaches.
- Avoid heavy internet activity or Bluetooth traffic on your PC — it can cause dropouts and hiccups.
- Try different virtual audio software options. Besides VB-Audio, programas like “Voicemeeter” or other free virtual mixers might do the trick.
- If things get dodgy, restart your PC after setting everything up — Windows can be stubborn about recognising multiple outputs properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different brand headphones?
Sure, but expect more latency or some sync issues, especially if they use different Bluetooth codecs. For smoother experience, stick to the same brand or similar models.
What if Windows doesn’t pick up both headphones at once?
This is common. Your best shot is to use the virtual cable trick and route audio through it, so Windows sees it as just one device controlling multiple outputs. Some hardware setups might not support this at all, though.
Will there be lag or delay?
Most likely. Bluetooth isn’t built for super low latency, and when you add multiple devices, it can get laggy. You might notice audio lagging behind, especially with different brands or codecs.
Do I need special software?
Yep — a virtual audio cable like VB-Audio Cable or Voicemeeter is usually what makes it all happen. No shortcut without some software work.
Will this work with Bluetooth speakers too?
Absolutely — just connect your Bluetooth speakers and set up the virtual routing as with headphones.
Summary
- Pair up both Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
- Get a virtual audio cable or stereo mix software running.
- Set your sound settings to route through the virtual device.
- Fiddle with volume and sync until it sounds good.
Wrap-up
Honestly, getting two Bluetooth devices working at the same time on Windows 11 is a bit of a hack, but it’s doable. Usually, it’s just a matter of connecting both, setting up a virtual audio path, and doing some fiddling. When it works, it’s pretty wicked — no wires, no fuss, just shared sound. It’s not perfect, but way better than swapping gears all day. Hope this saves you a heap of time messing with drivers and settings. Good luck, and enjoy your dual wireless jam session!