How to use your bluetooth headset with Skype

By Andrew Brennan on April 29, 2007 in Bluetooth headsets, Skype hardware tips.

I recently wrote up a review of the Plantronics .audio 910 Bluetooth Headset, a great way to chat on Skype and on your mobile phone wirelessly. But what if you already have a bluetooth headset? You can probably still use it with Skype. Read on.

1. Make sure bluetooth works on your PC.

If you have a Mac, Sony or HP, you may already have Bluetooth installed, otherwise you'll probably need a USB adapter. Be sure to install the drivers that came with the adapter (or check the manufacturer’s site or updated ones). The bluetooth stack built into Windows XP doesn't support the headset profile (I’m not sure about Vista), so you'll need to use the provided drivers (often made by a company called Widcomm).

2. Pair your headset with your computer.

This depends on both the bluetooth driver and the headset. On your computer, if you right click on the bluetooth icon in the system tray, you should have an option like 'Add device' or 'Bluetooth Configuration Wizard.' It will probably give you the option to choose the device you want to use or choose the service you want to use. You should be prompted to have your computer search for the new device. At that point put your headset into pairing mode--you'll have to check your manual or online for how to do this, it's generally holding down some combination of buttons to make the light change color / flash differently. When the computer recognizes the headset in pairing mode, it may ask you to type in a passkey. This is a four digit number and again, you may have to check your manual--it'll be the same as it was to pair the headset with your phone, and is generally 0000 or 1234.

3. Make the headset your Skype audio device.

Once you're paired, the white bluetooth logo in the system tray will change color to green. The bluetooth headset should then be one of the devices you can choose in the Sound and Audio devices in Control Panel and in Skype. in the skype client select Tools -> Options -> Sound Devices, and choose the “Bluetooth Audio” for both audio in and audio out.

4. Skype away.

Before you make any calls you might want to call the Skype Testing Service (echo123) to confirm your audio is working properly, and adjust your volumes if necessary (you'll be able to control the volume within the Skype client and probably on your headset as well).

These are meant to be general instructions--you can see other peoples' attempts here and here. When you’re doing this, keep in mind that when you're paired and the bluetooth icon is green, your bluetooth headset will be drawing power like you're talking whether you're talking or not. You can unpair it manually when you're not talking, but if you receive a call you won’t have much time to pair it back before answering. The .audio 910 headset’s software recognizes when Skype calls start and stop and appropriately puts the headset in standby mode, thereby conserving battery life. But if you don’t want to shell out for a new headset when you have a perfectly good one, teaching it to work with Skype is a cool new trick.

Tags: how+to, skype, bluetooth, bluetooth+headset

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legal

I have a motorola H700 bluetooth headset, and an HP dv2000t laptop. I can get them to pair ("the white bluetooth logo in the system tray will change color to green"), but when I choose "Bluetooth high quality audio" on Skype, I can't hear the woman's voice through my headset, and my voice doesn't get recorded.

What am I doing wrong?

Hi i have a t mobile AMEO ppc i dont seem to be able to get my Bluetooth to work it works ok on GSM thanks for your help

I am trying to use my Motorola HS820 Bluetooth head set with Skype. When I try the Skype test call the voulume set to max immediately comes very low and I cannot use the head set

Please let me know what a bluetooth head set can be used with Skype Mobile on my iPAQ hx2410. I tried a few but it didn't work.

Thank you

When I go into tools > options > there is no heading called "sound devices" what am I doing wrong?

Use a Skype plugin called vitaero. It takes care of all the settings and more ...

I just bought a H500 headset and the PC finds it but I don't know how to pair them. It's not working with Skype.

I got the H500 to pair now. And I have a few new Bluetooth options in Skype, but none of them work!

Hey i got a Samsung WEP420 headset and a generic 2.0 bluetooth dongle.

I have paired my device to the PC (No Green flashing Bluetooth logo)and I am unable to find my device under audio.

Any ideas? tried everything to get this to work bluebell.com and bluesoliel.com but nothing.

Hi, I have paired my H500 with my pc (vista). I tried the test call and I get the sounds from the pc's speakers, while the mic of the H500 is picking up what I say. How can I switch to hear in the headset and not from the speakers?

My Skype doesn't recognize my H500 bluetooth. My computer does, and its paired, but my Skype doens't show me the option Bluetooth Audio (Tools -> Options -> Sound Devices, and choose the “Bluetooth Audio”). Why? What I'm doind wrong?

Thanks!

I got a motorola h700 and i got the iogear GBU221WM bluetooth usb dongle from walmart for about 20 bucks. i ran the driver cd that came with it and not only does the h700 work perfectly, but the connect, disconect and redial functions work right from the headset.and the voice quality and range are just great.

I bought a Jabra BT2010 headset for use with my Vista laptop (Sony Vaio VGN-CR35G). When I select the "add Bluetooth device" option, and activate the pairing mode of the headset, nothing happens. No Bluetooth device is detected.

No one seems to have a working response to any of these Skype using Bluetooth issues. Not even Skype themselves.
I would had thought with the advent of this technology, that the Skype staff would have devoted some research resources to this area.
My issue with the Bluetooth is this:
I have an HP laptop and use a Kingston USB adapter. I was able to pair my Motorola H500 device to the radio with no difficulty.
I can find the bluetooth headset in the audio device settings. I would save the preferences and attempt to make a call. On occasion I can make one or two calls before the settings default back to the windows audio device settings.
I sent Skype a couple of emails to address this and they were not able to help.
Does anyone know of a workaround?

The hard reality is that Microsoft Operating system like XP and Vista doesn't ship with required bluetooth profile. Only http://www.broadcom.com/products/bluetooth_update.php seems to provide drivers and only for bluetooth hardware using their chip. If the bluetooth chip used by your computer is not from Broadcom or Widcomm, it's unlikely you will find a profile somewhere.

I think Microsoft should have provided this common software, so that each Bluetooth hardware company doesn't need to rewrite their own. Skype is big enough to lobby Microsoft.

I have paired my bluetooth headset successfully but it still does not appear as an option under Audio Settings (Tools -> Options -> Sound Devices, and choose the “Bluetooth Audio”). Bluetooth Audio is not an option. What can I do to get it to appear?

Troubleshooting tip. May work for you, too. I found this out very painstakingly so bear with me.

First make sure you have the latest bluetooth drivers updated for Vista. Not all bluetooth USB adapters support the latest version. That is available at www.broadcom.com. You want the 2.0 version + EDR or better. Your bluetooth may work with a lesser version, but if you have multiple devices that is best.

My bluetooth icons did not appear in the "sound" settings until I installed the new Bluetooth dongle that came with the headset and loaded the new drivers. I was previously using a Kensington Bluetooth micro USB adapter.

I have this working with a Plantronics Discovery 655, and the built in bluetooth on my Toshiba Tecra M5 Laptop. Just for kicks I tried my wife's Plantronics 640, I can't seem to get that one to work.

Great instructions, connected up without any issues.

Hi, I have a Logitech "Mobile Traveller Bluetooth Headset" and an Edimax EB-DGC1 USB Bluetooth Adapter. Is it at all possible to make skype calls via this headset?

Thanx
anthony

Thanks so very much... i was going insane trying to find how to make my exibel headset to work. Must have wasted hours before i found your instructions. appreciate it=)

I have paired my device;TrueBlue TB20EL to my laptop ,the BlueTooth logo is flashing and indicates that the connection is made, but no sound on my headset in or out.I would love to have some advice about this device,or should I just throw it in the garbage.
Thankx
seahorse

Thanks to your generous sharing of information, I've saved myself the cost of telephone and already made my first call using my bluetooth.
preshus926

I purchased the Motorola H500 "Skype" bundle and I have Vista...After working on it all day long I finally have my laptop recognizing the headset and "pairing" However, now of course Skype is not giving me the choice of selecting bluetooth as my microphone and audio...Dear Skype, I am not going to pull out my credit card for any pay plans until you guys get with it on something that should be easy.

hi, I just installed a Kensington K33902US Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter and XP SP3 recognized it. XP then recognized my Motorola H390 bleutooth headset, I entered the password etc. and the connection dialog completed successfully (the headset now appears as an audio device when the bluetooth icon is clicked in the notification area). However, the H390 will not connect with the adapter, and Skype & internet radio continue to play through the speakers.

Curiously, I did not have this problem with a Creative Labs HS-1200 bluetooth headset that I installed previously on the same computer (in another USB port): XP recognized it, and I am able to Skype with it "plug and play".

What do I need to do to get the Kensington to talk to the H390? I am loath to install Kensington drivers and would prefer to install the bare minimum, if necessary, to get this working. A very old post (2005) on the net recommends installing an MSI driver only and then using Microsoft's stack (which doesn't seem to work on its own)... any ideas?

thanks, Sy

Hi,I have Sony Ericsson Bluetooth HBH-IV835 Headset & Belkin Bluetooth Dongle for Pc.I have paired my Headset device with Belkin(Bluetooth Green Light Flashing) but I still can't using my Sony Ericsson Bluetooth headset with skype(I already setting the skype from-tool - option-audio settings - Mic Using Bluetooth Audio - Speaker Using Bluetooth Audio).Please any one can solve my problem.Thx anyway...

The Plantronics 510 Bluetooth headset works fine on Mac (10.5.6) with Skype (BETA) 2.8.0.324. It can also be paired with phones (I used my iPhone) to work simultaneously.

I just wrote up a blog post going into more detail at http://blog.boxedice.com/2009/05/12/bluetooth-headset-for-skype-on-mac/

Assuming your headset is already paired up.

In your Bluetooth settings (My Device Properties) for your computer (dongle), go to the Advanced Tab, then check the box that allows your headset to be used at VoIP (Support VoIP).

That allowed me to instantly find in the tools>options>audio settings> my bluetooth headset as an option in the tab. save as.

hey Hello
I have a problem with mic
my bluedio handset is working owsome every where except skype 4.0
i can record and listen in "windows sound recorder" also in Yahoo as well.
But when i try to speak on skype, others can't hear me as well as skype test call
i have also chosed bluetooth hand set for speaking and recording
IF there any solution plz let me know as soon as possible
Thanx
Best regard,
Saam

Foget my previous post
Hello

I have a problem with mic
my bluedio handset is working owsome every where except skype 4.0
i can record and listen in "windows sound recorder" , in Yahoo as well.
NOw i have chossed bluetooth handset for speaking and recording in skype 4.0
But when i try to speak on skype, others can't hear me as well as skype test call

IF there any solution please let me know as soon as possible
Thanx
Best regard,
Saam

Forget my previous post
Hello

IF there any solution please let me know as soon as possible
Thanx
Best regard,
Saam

I've got my Jabra bt 205(?) fully working on my pc and laptop.
be sure to install you (widcomm) drivers for your bluetooth device/dongle...
then pair your headset, and directly after that, make sure you enebled the "headset service" on your bluetooth-devices software (again, widcomm)...

Ill give you a simple way to get an Motorla H500 headset to work. I run vista home premium (32 bit) like most of you im sure, if you have e-mailed skype they have sent you a PDF about installing it with XP SP2. MOst of us here run a form of Vista, im sure. This is how i connected my headset. (have your bluetooth headset connected first!) press start then control panel, hardware and sound, then the sound button,(a little box should pop up)If you have connected your bluetooth right it should say 'bluetooth handsfree audio' simply check that, then go to the 'recording' tab, check bluetooth handsfree audio. Click apply then ok. Open skype and got to the options tab, then 'audio settings'. On that screen there should be a box that has the name of your speakers, simply put it as your bluetooth headset and there you go. Im not sure how to do this with XP, sorry. Again, skypes poor customer service dosnt help mush on this matter, and its quite agrivating.

Works fine with samsung wep301 and skype 3.8 i used bluesoleil to pair the devices and connect to it.

thank you for the tips.