Have you bought wireless headphones or a gamepad, but can’t connect them to your TV? The problem in 90% of cases lies in a disabled module Bluetooth —it is often deactivated by default to save energy. In this article we will look at how to enable Bluetooth on Smart TV with an operating system Android TV (including versions 9-14), even if the button is hidden in the settings or the module “does not see” the device.

The instructions are suitable for TVs Sony Bravia, Xiaomi Mi TV, Philips with Android Nvidia Shield, as well as hybrid models based on Google TV. We will look at the standard method through the menu, alternative methods for “dumb” remote controls and solutions to common errors like "Bluetooth does not detect the device" or "Connection is impossible". If your TV was released before 2018, check the presence of a Bluetooth hardware module - in budget models it is often physically absent.

1. Standard method: through the settings menu

The most reliable method is activation through the system menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version Android TV and the manufacturer's shell, but the general logic remains the same:

  1. Take the TV remote control and press the button Settings (gear) or Home (house) to open the main menu.

  2. Go to the section Settings → Devices and accessories (on some TVs - Connections → Bluetooth).

  3. Select item Add accessory or Bluetooth - a slider should appear here turn on.

  4. Move the slider to position On. (the message appears on the screen "Search for devices...").

  5. Activate pairing mode on your device (headphones, keyboard, gamepad) and select it from the list of found ones.

If the item Bluetooth is not in the menu Devices and accessories, try an alternative path:

  • 🔍 Settings → Network and Internet → Bluetooth (for Google TV)
  • 🔍 Settings → System → Wireless networks → Bluetooth (for Sony Bravia)
  • 🔍 Settings → All settings → Network settings → Bluetooth (for Xiaomi Mi TV)
📊 What brand is your TV?
Samsung
LG
Sony
Xiaomi
Philips
Nvidia Shield
Other

Important: On TVs Samsung c Tizen i LG s webOS the algorithm for turning on Bluetooth is different - these systems do not connect to Android TV. If you have one of these models, use FAQ section at the end of the article.

2. Alternative ways to turn on Bluetooth

What to do if the standard path did not work? Here are 3 proven methods: Method 1: Google Assistant Voice Assistant data-i="90">"Turn on Bluetooth"

Method 1: Google Assistant Voice Assistant

If your remote supports Google Assistant (microphone button), try the voice command:

  1. Hold down the microphone button on the remote control and say: "Turn on Bluetooth".

  2. Wait for confirmation on the screen and follow the assistant's instructions to search for devices.

Method 2: Android TV Settings application

On some TVs (for example Nvidia Shield), an application is available Android TV Settings with advanced options:

  • 📱 Open Play Market on TV and find the application "Android TV Settings" (developer - Google LLC).
  • 🔧 Launch it and go to section Connected devices → Bluetooth.
  • 🔄 Turn on the module and start searching for devices.

Method 3: ADB commands (for advanced)

If the TV “does not see” Bluetooth in the menu, but the module is physically there, try turning it on via ADB (required PC):

adb connect [IP address of your TV]

adb shell settings put global bluetooth_on 1


adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.adapter.action.REQUEST_ENABLE

To find out the IP address of the TV, go to Settings → Network → Network status.

Install Android SDK on PC|Enable USB debugging in TV settings|Connect TV and PC to the same network|Run the command line as administrator-->

3. Why Bluetooth does not turn on: typical problems

If the module does not activate or is immediately disabled, the reasons may be hardware or software: Let's consider the most common ones:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Bluetooth button is missing in the menu Missing physical module (in budget models) Use a Bluetooth 4.0+ USB adapter
Bluetooth turns on, but does not find the device Outdated TV or device firmware Update the TV software and accessory firmware
The module turns off after 10-30 seconds Energy saving mode or software failure Disable energy saving mode in the settings
Error “Connection is not possible” Protocol incompatibility (for example, Bluetooth 5.0 vs 4.2) Try another device or update the TV firmware

Problems arise especially often with TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2018-2019) - in them the Bluetooth module is physically present, but is disabled at the firmware level. Solution:

  1. Update the TV software to the latest version via Settings → About TV → System update.

  2. If the update does not help, install the patch via ADB (instructions are on the forums 4PDA).

What to do if the TV does not see the headphones?

1. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (usually hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds until the indicator blinks).

2. Restart the TV and headphones.

3. (phone) - if they don’t connect, the problem is with them.

4. On some TVs (for example, Philipsyou must first enable the “Visibility for all devices” mode in the Bluetooth settings.

4. Setting up connected devices

After successful pairing, you may need to additional settings - especially for gamepads, keyboards or sound systems. Let's consider the key points:

For wireless headphones/speakers

  • 🎧 Select the connected device in the Bluetooth menu and click "Sound settings".
  • 🔊 Set the priority sound source: Settings → Sound → Sound output → [Name of your headphones].
  • 🎛️ Adjust the sound delay (if there is lag) in the section Additional sound settings.

For gamepads (DualShock, Xbox, Switch Pro)

On Android TV gamepads are connected in the mode HID (Human Interface Device), but additional settings may be required:

  • 🎮 For DualShock 4/5: press Share + PS until the LED flashes.
  • 🎮 For Xbox Controller: press the sync button on the top panel.
  • 🔧 After connecting, check the display of the gamepad in Settings → Devices and accessories → Game controllers If the gamepad connects but does not work in games, install the application from the Play Market - it will show whether button presses are recognized on the system level. Settings → Devices and accessories → Game controllers.
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If the gamepad connects but does not work in games, install the application Gamepad Tester from the Play Market - it will show whether button presses are recognized at the system level.

5. How to update the firmware to fix problems with Bluetooth

If Bluetooth is unstable or does not turn on at all, outdated firmware may be to blame. The update solves the problem in 70% of cases. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Settings → About TV → System update.

  2. Click "Check for updates" —if a new version is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

  3. If the update is not found automatically, download the latest firmware from the manufacturer's official website (for example, support.sony.ru for Sony Bravia) and install it via USB.

Warning: Do not interrupt the update process - this may lead to k The TV “bricks” (completely inoperable). If the update is frozen for more than 30 minutes, do not turn off the TV - wait until it is completed or contact the service center.

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Updating via USB is safer than over the air - this way you will avoid problems when the Internet connection is lost.

6. Using a USB-Bluetooth adapter (if there is no module)

If your TV is not equipped with built-in Bluetooth (for example, Philips 32PFS5803 or older models Sony), you can use an external adapter. Any USB-dongle on a chip CSR 4.0 or newer will do (cost - from 300 rubles). Instructions:

  1. Connect the adapter to the USB port of the TV (preferably USB 2.0).

  2. Go to Settings → Devices and accessories —the system should automatically detect the new module.

  3. Enable device search and connect the accessory as usual.

⚠️ Attention: Not all adapters are compatible with Android TV. Before purchasing, check the reviews or list of supported devices on the manufacturer's website. For example, adapters TP-Link UB400 and ASUS USB-BT400 work stably. cheap no-name models can cause freezes.

7. Resetting Bluetooth settings (if all else fails)

If the module turns on, but the devices do not connect or there are constant connection interruptions, try resetting the Bluetooth settings:

  1. Go in Settings → Applications.

  2. Find the application Bluetooth (or Bluetooth MIDI Service) and select "Stop" → "Erase data".

  3. Restart the TV and try connecting the device again.

⚠️ Attention: After the reset, all paired devices will be deleted - they will have to be reconnected. If the problem persists, the cause may be a hardware malfunction of the module (diagnosis is required at a service center).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Bluetooth on Android TV

My Samsung TV - why is there no Bluetooth item here?

TVs Samsung work on Tizen, and not on Android TV. To turn on Bluetooth, go to Settings → General → External devices → Accessory settings → Bluetooth. If there is no item, your model does not support Bluetooth (for example, series J i M 2016-2017).

How to connect AirPods to Android TV?

AirPods (including Pro and Max) connect like regular Bluetooth headphones:

  1. Open the cover of the case and hold down the button on the back panel until white flashes indicator.
  2. On the TV, turn on Bluetooth and select AirPods from the list.
  3. Confirm pairing (if you need to enter a code, use 0000).
Important: Some TVs may not support codecs AAC or aptX, causing the sound to be intermittent. In this case, use SBC (standard codec).

Why does the sound in the headphones lag behind video?

Sound delay (lag) is a common problem when using Bluetooth headphones with Android TV. Solutions:

  • 🔊 In the TV sound settings, turn on the mode "Low latency" (if available).
  • 🎧 Try using headphones that support aptX Low Latency (for example, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum).
  • 📶 Reduce the distance between the TV and headphones (optimally - up to 3 meters).
  • 🔄 Reconnect the headphones or reset their settings (instructions are in the user manual).

If the lag persists, try connecting the headphones via a USB adapter (if the model supports a wired connection).

Is it possible to connect several Bluetooth devices to the TV at the same time?

Yes, but with limitations:

  • 🎮 Gamepad + headphones: works on most TVs (for example, Nvidia Shield or Sony Bravia X90J).
  • 🎧 Two audio devices: You cannot simultaneously play sound on two pairs of headphones (only alternately).
  • 🖱️ Keyboard + mouse: supported, but input lag may occur.

For stable operation of several devices, it is recommended to use Bluetooth 5.0 and newer.

How to check if my TV has Bluetooth?

There are 3 ways:

  1. Look at the characteristics of the model on the manufacturer's website (look for the line "Bluetooth: Yes").

  2. Hold the button Menu on the remote control and enter the code 1147 (for Sony) or 123654 (for Philips) - the service menu will open, where all modules are listed.

  3. Connect a USB keyboard to the TV and press Alt + F1 - in some models this brings up a diagnostic menu with information about the equipment.

If none of the methods worked, most likely the module is not physically there.