How to Connect Headphones to an LG TV

Connecting headphones to your LG TV lets you watch late-night shows, movies, or games without disturbing others, and it can also help you hear dialogue more clearly. This guide covers every method available on current LG TVs—wired 3.5mm, optical, Bluetooth, and the LG Sound Sync app—so you can pick the one that fits your TV model and your headphones. You’ll need to check which ports or wireless features your TV has, but no special tools are required.

What You’ll Need

Your LG TV (2018 model or newer for most Bluetooth features)
Your headphones (wired with a 3.5mm jack, USB-C, or Bluetooth)
Optional: a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter if your TV only has RCA audio out
Optional: a Bluetooth transmitter if your TV lacks built-in Bluetooth

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Wired Connection (3.5mm Jack)

Look at the back or side of your LG TV for a round 3.5mm port labeled “Headphone� or “Audio Out.� Some models use a combo port that also works for video.
Plug your wired headphones directly into that port. If your TV only has red and white RCA audio jacks, use a 3.5mm-to-RCA adapter: connect the headphone plug to the adapter, then insert the red and white plugs into the matching colored jacks.
Turn on the TV and press the Settings button on your remote (gear icon).
Go to Sound → Sound Out and select Wired Headphones (or “Headphone� if listed). Some older models automatically detect the plug and switch the audio.
Adjust the volume using the TV remote or the headphone’s inline controls. The TV speakers will mute when headphones are connected.

Method 2: Bluetooth Headphones

Put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode. Usually you press and hold the power button or a dedicated Bluetooth button until the LED blinks.
On your LG TV remote, press Settings (gear icon).
Navigate to Sound → Sound Out → Bluetooth.
Select Bluetooth Device List (or “Add Device�). The TV will scan for nearby devices.
Choose your headphones from the list. If prompted, confirm the pairing code (usually 0000 or “OK�).
Wait for the TV to show “Connected.� Audio will now play through the headphones, and the TV speakers will mute.

Method 3: Optical/SPDIF Connection (for TVs without 3.5mm or Bluetooth)

Check if your TV has a square optical port labeled “Digital Audio Out (Optical)� on the back.
If your headphones have a 3.5mm jack, you’ll need an optical-to-3.5mm converter box (sold separately). Connect an optical cable from the TV to the converter, then plug your headphones into the converter.
On the TV, go to Settings → Sound → Sound Out and select Optical.
Set the audio format to PCM (not Bitstream) for best compatibility with headphones.
Adjust volume on the converter box (if it has a knob) or on the headphones themselves.

Method 4: Using the LG Sound Sync App (for wireless headphones with a phone)

Install the LG Sound Sync app from the App Store or Google Play on your smartphone.
Connect your Bluetooth headphones to your phone (not the TV).
Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to link your TV and phone. The app will stream the TV’s audio to your phone, which then sends it to your headphones.
Make sure your TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Select your TV in the app and choose your headphones as the output device.

If your LG TV model is older (before 2018) and lacks Bluetooth, you can also use a standalone Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the 3.5mm or optical port. Pair the transmitter with your headphones, and the TV will send audio to the transmitter.

Common Mistakes

Plugging wired headphones into the wrong port—some LG TVs have a 3.5mm port that is for service or video, not audio out. Check the label.
Not switching the Sound Out setting. Many LG TVs keep the internal speakers active even after you plug in headphones unless you manually change the output.
Using a Bluetooth adapter that doesn’t support the same codec as your TV (e.g., aptX vs. SBC). This can cause audio lag.
Forgetting to put headphones in pairing mode before searching on the TV.
Leaving the TV’s audio format set to Bitstream when using optical—this can cause static or no sound with headphones.

Tips

If you experience audio delay (lip-sync), check if your TV has a Sound Sync or AV Sync adjustment in the Sound settings. Some LG TVs let you fine-tune the delay in milliseconds.
For wired headphones, use a short extension cable if the port is hard to reach—avoid long cables that can degrade audio quality.
When using Bluetooth, keep the headphones within 10 meters (30 feet) of the TV and avoid walls or large metal objects.
If your TV’s Bluetooth menu doesn’t show your headphones, try turning off other Bluetooth devices nearby that might interfere.
On newer LG TVs (webOS 5.0+), you can also use the Magic Remote to quickly toggle between speakers and headphones by pressing the Settings button and selecting the sound output icon.

Troubleshooting

No sound from headphones after connecting

Check the Sound Out setting: go to Settings → Sound → Sound Out and ensure it’s set to your chosen method (wired or Bluetooth).
For wired, try a different pair of headphones to rule out a faulty jack or cable.
For Bluetooth, unpair the headphones from the TV and pair again. Sometimes the TV remembers an old connection and doesn’t switch.
Restart the TV: unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug back in.

Bluetooth keeps disconnecting

Move closer to the TV and remove obstacles.
Check if your headphones are connected to another device (like a phone) simultaneously—disconnect them from that device.
Update the TV’s firmware: go to Settings → General → About This TV → Check for Updates.

Audio lag (lip-sync issues)

Use wired headphones if possible; Bluetooth inherently adds a small delay.
In the TV’s Sound settings, look for AV Sync Adjustment or Sound Sync and set a delay that matches your headphones.
If using an optical converter, try a different converter with lower latency.

TV doesn’t show Bluetooth option

Your LG TV model may not have Bluetooth. Check the user manual or the back label for “Bluetooth� or “BT� logo.
If not, use the 3.5mm jack or purchase a Bluetooth transmitter.

Headphones are too quiet or too loud

Adjust the TV’s volume, but also check the headphone’s own volume control (if it has one).
For wired, try a headphone amplifier if the TV’s output is weak.
For Bluetooth, some headphones have separate volume controls for calls and media—make sure the media volume is turned up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use wireless headphones with any LG TV?

No. LG TVs made before 2018 often lack built-in Bluetooth. You can still use a Bluetooth transmitter plugged into the 3.5mm or optical port to add wireless capability.

Why is there no sound from my wired headphones even though they’re plugged in?

Most likely the TV’s Sound Out setting is still on “Internal Speakers.� Go to Settings → Sound → Sound Out and select “Wired Headphones.� Also check that the headphone jack is fully inserted.

Can I use AirPods with my LG TV?

Yes, if your LG TV supports Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in pairing mode (press and hold the button on the case), then search for them in the TV’s Bluetooth device list. Note that some features like automatic ear detection may not work.

How do I stop the TV speakers from playing when headphones are connected?

When you correctly set the Sound Out to your headphones, the internal speakers automatically mute. If they don’t, check that you’ve selected the right output and not just changed the volume.

Can I connect two pairs of headphones at once?

Most LG TVs only support one Bluetooth audio device at a time. For wired, you can use a headphone splitter to connect two pairs simultaneously.

Will connecting headphones affect the TV’s picture quality?

No, audio output does not affect video. However, if you use an optical cable and the converter is faulty, you might experience audio dropouts, but the picture remains unaffected.

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