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10 Tech How-To

Pair Sony WH-CH730N with Phone, Laptop or TV

Guide 10-12366 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through pairing the Sony WH-CH730N wireless noise-canceling headphones with a smartphone, laptop, or TV. You’ll learn the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure for each device type, plus how to handle multipoint connections and common connection issues. Before starting, make sure the headphones are charged (the LED blinks red while charging) and that the device you’re connecting to has Bluetooth turned on.

What You’ll Need

  • Sony WH-CH730N headphones (charged)
  • The device you want to pair with (phone, laptop, or TV) with Bluetooth enabled
  • The headphones’ charging cable (USB-C) – only needed if the battery is low
  • Optional: the Sony | Headphones Connect app (available for iOS and Android) for firmware updates and extra settings

Step-by-Step

Putting the Headphones in Pairing Mode

  1. Power on the headphones by pressing and holding the Power button (the button with the power icon) for about 2 seconds. You’ll hear a voice prompt saying “Power on”.
  2. To enter pairing mode, press and hold the Power button again for about 7 seconds until the LED indicator starts flashing blue and red alternately. You’ll hear a voice prompt saying “Bluetooth pairing”.
  3. If the headphones have been paired before, they may automatically reconnect to the last device instead of entering pairing mode. In that case, press and hold the Power button for 7 seconds to force pairing mode.

Pairing with a Phone (Android or iPhone)

  1. Android: Open Settings > Connections (or Bluetooth) and toggle Bluetooth on. Tap Scan or Pair new device.
  2. iPhone: Open Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
  3. Wait for the phone to list available devices. Look for WH-CH730N in the list.
  4. Tap the device name. If prompted, confirm the pairing request. The phone and headphones will connect automatically – you’ll hear a voice prompt saying “Bluetooth connected”.
  5. If the phone asks for a PIN, enter 0000 (the default for most Bluetooth headphones).

Pairing with a Laptop (Windows or macOS)

  1. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (LED flashing blue/red).
  2. Windows 10/11: Click the Start button, then Settings (gear icon) > Bluetooth & devices > Add device (or Add Bluetooth or other device). Choose Bluetooth. Wait for the list to populate and select WH-CH730N.
  3. macOS: Click the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) > Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on, then click Connect next to WH-CH730N.
  4. After connecting, the headphones should appear as both an audio output and an input device. If you don’t hear sound, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar (Windows) or check the sound output settings (macOS) and select the headphones as the output device.

Pairing with a TV

  1. Check that your TV supports Bluetooth audio. Most modern smart TVs do, but some budget models may only support Bluetooth for keyboards/mice. Refer to your TV’s manual if unsure.
  2. Put the headphones in pairing mode.
  3. On the TV, go to Settings > Sound (or Bluetooth / Connections depending on the brand). Look for an option like Bluetooth audio, Sound output, or Add accessory.
  4. Select Bluetooth and choose WH-CH730N from the list of available devices.
  5. If the TV asks for a PIN, try 0000 or 1234.
  6. Once paired, the TV audio should route through the headphones. If not, go to the TV’s sound output settings and select the headphones as the output.

Reconnecting a Previously Paired Device

  1. Simply turn on the headphones – they will automatically reconnect to the last paired device if it’s within range and Bluetooth is enabled.
  2. If they don’t reconnect automatically, go to the device’s Bluetooth settings and tap the headphone name to connect manually.

Common Mistakes

  • Not entering pairing mode: Pressing the power button briefly only turns the headphones on; you must hold it for 7 seconds to enter pairing mode.
  • Forgetting to clear old pairings: If the headphones are already connected to another device, they won’t appear in the new device’s list. Turn off the old device or disconnect it from the headphones.
  • Selecting the wrong device in Windows: The headphones may appear as both “WH-CH730N” and “WH-CH730N Hands-Free”. Choose the one without “Hands-Free” for better audio quality – the Hands-Free profile is for calls and has lower sound quality.
  • TV not in pairing mode: Some TVs require you to select “Add device” or “Pair” before they start scanning. If you don’t, the TV won’t find the headphones.
  • Ignoring the battery level: If the battery is critically low, the headphones may not enter pairing mode or may disconnect immediately.

Tips

  • Use the Sony | Headphones Connect app to update firmware, adjust the equalizer, and manage multipoint connections. The app also shows battery level and connection status.
  • Multipoint connection: The WH-CH730N supports connecting to two devices simultaneously. To use it, pair the headphones with both devices, then after pairing the second device, the headphones will automatically connect to both. You can switch between them by playing audio on either device.
  • Reset the headphones: If you have persistent issues, reset the headphones by pressing and holding the Power and Volume + buttons together for about 7 seconds until the LED flashes blue four times. This clears all pairings and resets settings.
  • Keep the headphones close to the device during initial pairing – within 1 meter (3 feet) is best.
  • For TV use, check for audio lag: Some TVs or apps may have Bluetooth audio delay. If you notice lip-sync issues, look for a “Bluetooth audio delay” or “AV sync” setting in the TV menu.

Troubleshooting

  • Headphones not appearing in the device list: Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (LED flashing blue/red). If they are, try turning Bluetooth off and on again on the device, or restart the headphones by turning them off and on.
  • Pairing fails or connection drops: Move the device closer and remove any obstacles. Try resetting the headphones as described above. If the issue persists, check for interference from other wireless devices.
  • No sound after connecting: On a phone, check the volume level and make sure the media audio is not muted. On a laptop, go to sound settings and select the headphones as the output device. On a TV, check the sound output settings – sometimes the TV continues to use its internal speakers.
  • Can’t pair with a TV that doesn’t support Bluetooth audio: If your TV lacks Bluetooth audio support, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the TV’s headphone jack or optical output. Pair the headphones with that transmitter instead.
  • Headphones keep connecting to the wrong device: If you have multiple devices paired, the headphones will automatically connect to the most recently used one. To force a different device, turn off Bluetooth on the current device, or manually connect from the desired device’s Bluetooth settings.
  • Voice prompts are in a language you don’t understand: You can change the voice prompt language using the Sony | Headphones Connect app. Go to the “System” settings and select your preferred language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair the WH-CH730N with two devices at the same time?

Yes, the WH-CH730N supports multipoint connection, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. Pair the headphones with both devices, and they will stay connected to both. When you play audio on one device, it will take priority.

How do I reset the WH-CH730N to factory settings?

To reset, press and hold the Power button and the Volume + button together for about 7 seconds until the LED flashes blue four times. This clears all paired devices and restores default settings.

Why do my headphones only connect in “Hands-Free” mode on Windows?

This happens when the headphones are paired using the Hands-Free profile (often used for calls). To get high-quality audio, make sure you select the “WH-CH730N” (without “Hands-Free”) as your output device. If it’s not listed, remove the device from Bluetooth settings and pair again, then choose the correct profile.

Can I use the headphones while charging?

Yes, you can use the headphones while they are charging via the USB-C cable. However, the Bluetooth range may be slightly reduced while charging due to interference.

How do I check the battery level of the headphones?

You can check the battery level on your phone (iOS or Android) in the Bluetooth settings, or by using the Sony | Headphones Connect app. The app also shows a battery percentage.

Do the headphones work with non-Sony devices?

Yes, the WH-CH730N uses standard Bluetooth, so they work with any device that supports Bluetooth audio, including iPhones, Android phones, Windows laptops, Macs, and many TVs.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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