All You Need to Know to Use a Headset Mic on a PC or Mac with One Jack

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Use the microphone on your headset even with only one input jack

Co-authored by Travis Boylls Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: August 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using an Adapter

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Using a Bluetooth Headset

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Selecting Your Audio Device on Windows

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Selecting Your Audio Device on macOS

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A lot of older computers have two separate 3.5mm jacks for headphones and a mic. Most modern PCs, however, have a single 3.5mm port for both. If you have an older headset with two separate 3.5mm plugs, you can connect it to a single jack using an adapter. You could also use a Bluetooth headset. This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a headset and headset mic to a computer that has a single headphone mic.

Using Your Headset Mic on a Computer with One Jack

If your headset has two 3.5mm plugs for the headphones and mic, you can connect them both to a single jack using a Y-connector adapter. Plug the headphone and mic plug into the adapter, then plug the adapter's output plug into your PC's headphone jack.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using an Adapter

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1
Purchase a 3.5mm headset/mic Y connector cable. Cables like this have two female 3.5mm jacks and a single 3.5mm male plug. You can order a connector like this online. They are generally inexpensive, costing less than $10.
- Make sure the 3.5mm Y connector you purchase is meant to connect audio headphones and a mic. Many 3.5mm Y connectors are designed to connect two sets of audio headphones rather than one set of headphones and a mic.
- Alternatively, you can purchase a 3.5mm-to-USB adapter. This allows you to connect a headset to a USB port on your computer. If your headset has two separate plugs for the mic and the headphones, purchase an adapter with audio-in and audio-out jacks. ^{[1]
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- Conversely, if you have a headset with one 3.5mm plug for headphones and mic, but your computer has two separate jacks for headphones and a mic, you can purchase a 3.5mm splitter cable to split the single 3.5mm input into two separate outputs.
The Y connector should have two separate 3.5mm jacks for the mic and the headphones. The jack that you connect the headphones to may be color-coded green or have an icon resembling a pair of headphones on it. Connect the 3.5mm headphones plug from your headset to the headphones jack on the Y connector.

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The mic jack on the Y connector may be color-coded red or pink, or it may have an icon that resembles a microphone. Connect the 3.5mm mic plug from your headset to the mic jack on the Y connector.
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Connect the Y connector to your computer's headphone jack. Locate the headphones jack on your computer. If you are using a laptop, it is generally on the side or front. If you use a desktop PC, the 3.5mm headphone jack may be on the back or front of the tower. This connects both 3.5mm plugs on your headset to a single headphone jack.
- If you are using a 3.5mm-to-USB adapter, connect the adapter to a free USB port on your computer instead. ^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Bluetooth Headset

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1
Purchase a Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth uses short-range radio frequencies to connect electronic accessories to different devices. A Bluetooth headset can connect to your PC without the use of wires. You can get Bluetooth headsets from any store that sells electronics. They can range in price from $20 to several hundred dollars, depending on their quality.
- If your headset is not Bluetooth-capable, buy a 3.5mm-to-Bluetooth adapter. If your headset has two separate plugs for the mic and the headphones, purchase an adapter with a separate jack for the headphones and the microphone.
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Make sure your headset is charged. To function wirelessly, a Bluetooth device needs its own battery to be charged. Most Bluetooth devices come with a USB charging cable you can use to charge your devices. Connect the USB charging cable to your Bluetooth headset and plug it into a USB wall charger or a USB port on your computer. Let it sit for a few hours.
- If you charge a Bluetooth device using a USB port on your computer, make sure your computer is powered on the entire time. Your headset may not charge as quickly if you charge it off your computer as it would if you use a wall outlet.
The way you do this is different from one device to another. Generally, there is a button you press and hold. Your headset will either make a sound or display flashing lights to indicate it is in pairing mode. Consult the user's manual that came with your headset to learn how to put it in pairing mode.
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Pair your headset to a Windows computer. Use the following steps to pair your Bluetooth headset to a Windows computer.
- Click the Windows Start menu.
- Click the Settings/Gear icon.
- Click Devices (Windows 10) or Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11).
- Click Bluetooth and other devices (Windows 10) or Devices (Windows 11).
- Click the plus (+) icon next to "Add Bluetooth or other device" (Windows 10) or click Add Device (Windows 11.)
- Click Bluetooth at the top of the menu.
- Click your Bluetooth headset.
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Pair your Bluetooth headset on a Mac. If you use a Mac, use the following steps to pair your Bluetooth device on Mac.
- Click the Apple Icon in the menu bar at the top.
- Click System Settings or System Preferences .
- Click Bluetooth .
- Click Turn Bluetooth On if it's not already on.
- Click Connect next to your Bluetooth headset.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Selecting Your Audio Device on Windows

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If you plug in a headset to your audio jack, Windows will normally detect your audio device automatically. However, if you use a USB port or Bluetooth, you may need to select your audio device manually. If you are not getting audio through the headphones or mic, click the Start menu in the lower-left corner.
It's next to an icon that resembles a gear. It's in the panel to the left in the Windows Start menu.
It has an icon that resembles a computer. It's the first option in the Settings menu.
It's on the menu to the left. This menu allows you to select your audio devices.
Use the drop-down menu at the top on Windows 10 to select your audio output device. On Windows 11, click the radio option next to your audio device. It may be the name of your headset or USB adapter, the input type (i.e., USB device), or it may simply say "Headphones."
Use the drop-down menu below "Input" to select your headset mic on Windows 10. On Windows 11, click the radio option next to your headset microphone below "Input." It may be the name of your headset, the input type (i.e., USB), or it may simply say something like "USB Mic".

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Selecting Your Audio Device on macOS

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It's in the upper-left corner of the desktop. If your Mac does not detect your headset automatically, use the following steps to select your audio device manually.
It's in the Apple Menu. This opens the System Preferences menu.
It's in the menu panel to the left. On older macOS versions, it has an icon resembling a speaker.
It's at the top of the panel on the right.
It may be listed as the name of your headset, adapter, or the audio connection it is connected to (i.e., USB device).
It's at the top of the panel on the right.
It may be listed last as your headset name, adapter, or the input it is connected to (i.e., USB device).