Roku's private listening feature, called Headphone Mode, sends sound to Bluetooth headphones on supported devices such as the Roku Ultra, Streambar and Roku Smart Soundbar, and to any Roku via the mobile app. For Bluetooth headphones, put the headphones in pairing mode, then open Settings, Remotes and Devices, Wireless headphones on models that support it, and choose Add new device. Restart the Roku and headphones if the pairing fails.
The checks in more detail
Keep the headphones close to the Roku, since Bluetooth range and obstructions cut the connection. Roku says not every device supports Bluetooth headphones, so check the model: a Roku Express and Streaming Stick do not have Bluetooth audio, but private listening through the mobile app or the voice remote's headphone jack does work. Forget the device and pair again if it disconnects, disconnect it from your phone first and turn off other Bluetooth devices nearby.
Check that the headphones are charged, and note the Bluetooth version some accept. If you hear a delay or lip sync differences, adjust the audio delay in Roku's audio settings, because Bluetooth adds latency. Update the software with Check now, and factory reset only as a last resort. The mobile app private listening needs the phone and Roku on the same network. Test the headphones with a phone first. If the phone pairs and the Roku does not, the fault is the Roku's Bluetooth or range; if neither pairs, the headphones need a reset or a charge. Keep other Bluetooth devices and USB 3 hubs away from the Roku while pairing. Both crowd the same radio band and are a frequent hidden cause of dropouts.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku TV line and players will not pair with Bluetooth headphones or speakers”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A device without Bluetooth audio
What separates it There is no Bluetooth audio option in the settings because the device does not support it
How to confirm Use the mobile app or a headphone jack remote
- 2
Headphones not in pairing mode
What separates it The headphones are not found because they are not in pairing mode
How to confirm Put the headphones in pairing mode, usually by holding their button
- 3
Range or interference
What separates it The connection drops because of range or interference from other devices
How to confirm Move closer to the Roku, and turn off other Bluetooth devices nearby
- 4
A stale pairing
What separates it The headphones connect and then drop because of a stale pairing
How to confirm Forget the headphones on the Roku, and pair them again from the start
- 5
Lip sync delay
What separates it The audio lags behind the picture because of a lip sync delay
How to confirm Adjust the audio delay in the settings, until the sound matches the picture
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model of the Roku that you are using
- The model of the headphones that you are pairing
- Whether Bluetooth appears in the Roku's settings
- The distance between the headphones and the Roku
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the model supports Bluetooth
ReversibleCheck that the model supports Bluetooth, since only some, such as the Ultra, do, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Put headphones in pairing mode
ReversiblePut the headphones in pairing mode, usually by holding their button until a light flashes.
Pair in Settings
ReversiblePair in Settings, under Remotes and Devices, and choose the headphones from the list, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Keep them close
ReversibleKeep them close to the Roku, and reduce interference from other Bluetooth devices, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Forget and re-pair
ReversibleForget and pair again if the connection drops, to clear a stale pairing, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Adjust audio delay
ReversibleAdjust the audio delay for lip sync, in the settings, if the sound lags behind.
Use the mobile app
ReversibleUse the mobile app as an alternative, since it can send the sound to your phone.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Bluetooth
- Only certain models have Bluetooth audio; the remote may have a headphone jack.
- Roku TV
- Some Roku TVs support Bluetooth headphones and some do not.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Roku Ultra 4800/4802, Streaming Stick 4K, Express 4K, Roku Express, Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Pro Series TV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a supported model shows no Bluetooth option, contact Roku
- !If pairing works only with one pair, check the other pair
- !If drops persist near the Roku, try the mobile app
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Headphone Mode.
Simple and voice remote fixes.
System update, Check now.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which Rokus have Bluetooth?+
The Ultra, Streambar and Smart Soundbar, among others.
Can Express use Bluetooth headphones?+
Not directly, since some Roku models such as Express do not have Bluetooth audio.
What is private listening?+
Private listening means sending the TV's sound to headphones instead of the speakers.
Can my phone do it?+
Yes, your phone can do it, using the Roku mobile app.
Why does audio lag?+
Audio lags because Bluetooth adds a delay, so adjust the audio delay setting.
Can other Bluetooth devices interfere?+
Yes, other Bluetooth devices can interfere, so turn them off nearby.