The Sony PlayStation (PS4) remains one of the most popular gaming consoles ever. This gaming system transformed the video game industry thanks to its premium features and ease of use. Besides, it has exclusive games and runs smoother than its competitors.
The only issue is that PS4 does not support Bluetooth audio devices. The reason for this problem is lagging, and compatibility hitches. Sony realized that connecting Bluetooth speakers to PS4 caused severe lag during gameplay.
Fortunately, you can get around this issue and connect your wireless speakers to your console for an immersive gaming experience. Read on to discover more.
Key Takeaways
- PlayStation 4 does not support direct connections to Bluetooth speakers due to lagging and compatibility issues.
- Even though you cannot directly connect a wireless speaker to PS4 via Bluetooth, you can use an auxiliary cable to complete the connection.
- Most Bluetooth speakers have an auxiliary port that allows you to connect them to your PS4 via a 3.5mm audio cable.
- You can connect a Bluetooth speaker to PS4 using an HDMI to Audio Extractor. The latest audio extractors have a Bluetooth transmitter that sends audio signals from the PlayStation to your Bluetooth speaker or headphones.
- Another way to connect Bluetooth speakers to PS4 is via your TV. Connect the speakers to your TV, and it will play audio through the console’s HDMI connection.
Ways to Connect Bluetooth Speakers to PS4
Let’s face it. Connecting Bluetooth speakers to a gaming console is the way to go. After all, it allows you to enjoy an immersive audio experience during gameplay without laying unsightly wires around your den.
Unfortunately, the Sony PlayStation 4 does not support direct connections to wireless speakers. You require a Bluetooth dongle or an auxiliary audio cable to connect your Bluetooth speakers to your PS4.
Here are different ways to connect Bluetooth speakers to PS4:
Method 1 – HDMI to TV to Bluetooth Speaker
Perhaps the easiest way to connect a Bluetooth speaker to your PS4 is via your television. After all, smart TVs allow for Bluetooth connections, meaning you can seamlessly connect your television to your Bluetooth speaker for a richer audio experience.
Your smart TV has an HDMI port that connects to your PS4 via an HDMI cable. Whatever the sounds coming from your console play through your TV. You can connect your TV to your Bluetooth speaker and enjoy surround audio.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into your PS4.
- Plug the other end of the cable into your TV.
- Power on your Bluetooth speaker and make it discoverable by pressing the Bluetooth icon.
- Pair your TV and Bluetooth speaker by following your TV’s user manual.
- Your PS4 will automatically play audio through the Bluetooth speaker connected to your TV.
Connecting a Bluetooth Speaker to a Samsung TV
Connecting a Bluetooth Speaker to an LG TV
Connecting a Bluetooth Speaker to a SONY Android TV
Qualcomm aptX Low Latency
Method 2 – HDMI to Audio Extractor with Bluetooth Transmitter
Even though Bluetooth speakers are wireless, modern models have input and output ports for wired connections. You can connect an HDMI to Audio Extractor to play sound from your PS4 to your Bluetooth speaker.
Teufel VAX01301 HDMI Audio Extractor with Built-in Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter
An HDMI to audio extractor automatically converts and transfers sounds from your PlayStation 4 to a soundbar, amplifier, or external speaker. It has two or more HDMI ports on either side. You need two HDMI cables: one connecting the gaming console to the extractor and another one connecting the extractor to your TV.
Better still, some audio extractors have a Bluetooth transmitter that transfers audio signals from the PlayStation to your Bluetooth speaker via the TV.
Follow these steps to connect your Bluetooth speaker to your PS4 using an HDMI to Audio Extractor:
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into your PS4.
- Plug the other end of the cable into the Audio Extractor.
- Plug another HDMI cable from the extractor into your TV (use HDMI ARC ports).
- Pair and connect your extractor to your Bluetooth speaker.
Method 3 – Audio Cable
The essence of using a Bluetooth speaker is to enjoy a wireless connection. However, as mentioned above, PS4 does not support direct Bluetooth connections. For this reason, the easiest way to get around this issue is to use a hard-wired connection.
You only need to plug an audio cable into your PS4 controller and the other end into your Bluetooth speaker. Since most wireless speakers have wired input and output ports, you shouldn’t experience any issues.
Here are the steps:
- Plug one end of the 3.5mm audio cable into your PS4 controller.
- Plug the other end into the audio input port of your Bluetooth speaker.
- Log in to your PS4 account.
- Select your profile.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Devices > Audio Devices > Output Device.
- Choose Headset Connected to Controller.
- Select Output to Headphones.
- Select All Audio.
Connecting a Bluetooth Speaker to PS4 Via AUX Cable
Method 4 – Bluetooth Adapter/Dongle
The Sony PlayStation 4 has a USB port that allows you to connect a Bluetooth adapter or dongle for wireless connections. This option comes in handy if you don’t have a smart TV. You only need to pair the adapter with your Bluetooth speaker for a captivating audio experience.
Here are the steps:
- Plug the Bluetooth dongle or adapter into your PS4 USB port.
- Wait for the adapter to start blinking as it enters pairing mode.
- Turn on your Bluetooth speaker.
- Press the Bluetooth icon on the speaker to pair it with the adapter.
- Connect the adapter to your PS4 controller using an audio jack.
- Log in to your PS4 account.
- Select your profile.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Output Device.
- Choose Headset Connected to Controller.
- Select Output to Headphones > All Audio.
- Test your Bluetooth speakers with your PS4.
Connecting PS4 to a Bluetooth Speaker/Headphones Using a USB Bluetooth Adapter
Connecting PS4 Pro to a Bluetooth Speaker Using TOSLINK-to-Bluetooth Dongle
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Can I use Bluetooth speaker on PS4?
- Answer: You cannot directly connect Bluetooth speakers to PS4 since the latter has no Bluetooth adapter. Sony does not allow gamers to connect Bluetooth audio devices to PS4 gaming consoles. Bluetooth signals seem to cause lagging when working with wireless speakers or headphones.
- For this reason, PS4 doesn’t offer support for Bluetooth devices anymore. If you want to use Bluetooth speakers on PS4, you may have to use a USB receiver, audio cable, or extractor if your speaker supports it.
- Question: How do I connect my speakers to my PlayStation 4?
- Answer: If you have wired speakers, you can easily connect them to your PlayStation 4 via a 3.5mm audio jack cable. PS4 consoles no longer support wireless connections for most speakers and headsets without a compatible USB adapter. Nonetheless, you can connect a compatible wireless speaker using an auxiliary cable from the controller.
- Question: How do I connect my unsupported Bluetooth to my PS4?
- Answer: The only two ways to connect unsupported Bluetooth speakers or headphones to your PS4 are via a male-to-male auxiliary cable or a Bluetooth dongle. Insert the cable into your PS4’s port to complete a wired connection.
- Wireless connections might not work, but you can try plugging the Bluetooth dongle into the PS4 controller and pairing it with your Bluetooth speaker.
- Question: Why does my PS4 not support Bluetooth audio devices?
- Answer: The PlayStation 4 gaming console does not support standard Bluetooth audio devices because of lagging issues. Sony, the manufacturer of PS4, removed Bluetooth connectivity from their consoles since it appears to interfere with gameplay and audio distribution when using wireless speakers or headphones. You may have to plug a USB Bluetooth dongle into your controller to connect Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
- Question: How do I pair a Bluetooth speaker to PS4?
- Answer: You cannot pair a Bluetooth speaker to PS4 since the gaming console does not support Bluetooth speakers. The only way around this issue is to plug a Bluetooth dongle or adapter into your controller via USB and check if it is compatible with your speaker.
- Insert the dongle into your controller and put your speaker into pairing mode, then select output devices to see if your speaker appears on the list of discoverable Bluetooth devices.
Conclusion
Wireless Bluetooth speakers guarantee an immersive gaming experience without using cables or wires. Unfortunately, connecting a Bluetooth speaker to PS4 can be frustrating. After all, PlayStation 4 doesn’t offer support for Bluetooth audio devices because of lagging issues.
The good news is that you can find a way around this problem using various strategies. Follow this guide to learn how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to PS4.
