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To pair either headset, charge it, keep it within 1 m (3.2 ft) of the device, and enter Bluetooth pairing mode. On first use, switch on the headset and it enters pairing mode automatically. For another phone, laptop, or other device, hold the headset’s Bluetooth button for about five seconds until the blue light flashes twice repeatedly and the voice prompt says “Pairing.” Open the device’s Bluetooth settings, select WH-CH520 or WH-CH530 series, and enter 0000 only if a passkey is requested. TV pairing works directly only when the television supports Bluetooth audio through the A2DP profile.
What you need before pairing
Pairing is the one-time process that registers the headphones with a Bluetooth source. Once registration is complete, the source can normally reconnect whenever Bluetooth is enabled and the headset is available. The procedure is almost identical for the WH-CH520 and WH-CH530, but the name shown in the device list is different.
- Charge the headset: Sony’s instructions begin with a charged headset. A very low battery can interrupt discovery or the connection process.
- Keep the devices close: Place the headphones and phone, computer, or television within 1 m (3.2 ft) while pairing.
- Enable Bluetooth on the source: Open the phone, laptop, or TV’s Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is on before searching.
- Know the listing name: WH-CH520 appears as WH-CH520. WH-CH530 appears as WH-CH530 series.
Menu names differ between Android phones, iPhones, Windows laptops, Macs, Google TV devices, and Android TV devices. Use the Bluetooth settings and nearby-device search on your particular device rather than looking for one universal menu path.
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WH-CH520: first-time pairing
When the WH-CH520 is used for the first time, turn it on. Sony says it enters pairing mode automatically. The headset’s blue indicator repeatedly flashes twice, and voice guidance says, “Pairing.” Leave it in that state while the phone, laptop, or other source searches for Bluetooth devices.
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- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
WH-CH520: pairing an additional device
If the WH-CH520 has already been paired with another device, press and hold its Bluetooth button for about five seconds or more. Wait for the repeated double blue flashes and the “Pairing” voice prompt. A normal short press is not the documented action for starting this additional-device pairing sequence; keep holding until the pairing indication appears.
WH-CH530: first-time pairing
For the WH-CH530, switch on the headset for its initial connection. The WH-CH530/WH-CH535 guide describes the same pairing indication: the blue light repeatedly flashes twice and voice guidance says, “Pairing.” Start the Bluetooth search on the source while that indication is active.
WH-CH530: pairing an additional device
To register another source after the first one, hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds. When the repeated double blue flashes and “Pairing” prompt appear, the headset is ready to be selected as WH-CH530 series from the source device’s Bluetooth list.
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Pair with a phone
- Charge the headset and place it within 1 m (3.2 ft) of the phone.
- Turn on the headset. If it is the first use, wait for automatic pairing mode. Otherwise, hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds until the blue indicator flashes twice repeatedly and the headset says, “Pairing.”
- Open the phone’s Bluetooth settings and start a search for nearby devices. The exact label may be Bluetooth, Pair new device, Add device, or a similar platform-specific term.
- Tap WH-CH520 for that model, or WH-CH530 series for the WH-CH530.
- If the phone asks for a passkey or PIN, enter
0000. Do not enter it unless the phone actually requests one. - Wait for the phone to show the headset as connected. Sony describes a notification sound when the registration and connection are complete.
- Play a short audio clip and confirm that the output is set to the Sony headset rather than the phone speaker or another Bluetooth accessory.
If the name does not appear, leave the headset in pairing mode and refresh the phone’s device search. Keep other nearby Bluetooth devices from trying to connect during the search, especially a device that has used the headset before.
Pair with a Windows laptop or Mac
- Charge the headphones and put them next to the laptop, ideally within 1 m (3.2 ft).
- Enter pairing mode: power on for first use, or hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds for a headset that has already been registered elsewhere.
- Open the laptop’s Bluetooth settings and choose the command that searches for, adds, or pairs a new Bluetooth device. Sony’s guide treats the computer’s procedure as platform-specific, so the wording and location vary by operating system.
- Select WH-CH520 or WH-CH530 series when it appears in the list.
- Enter
0000if the operating system requests a passkey. If no passkey prompt appears, continue without entering one. - Wait for the status to change to connected or paired. The headset may also provide its connection notification sound.
- Open the laptop’s sound controls and choose the Sony headset as the active output if more than one audio device is listed.
When the laptop says paired but audio still comes from its speakers
Bluetooth registration and audio-output selection are separate parts of the experience. A laptop can report that the headset is paired while still routing sound to its internal speakers, a monitor, or another previously selected output. In the operating system’s sound settings, select the connected WH-CH520 or WH-CH530 series device for output, then test with a known audio file. If the computer offers multiple Sony-related entries, choose the entry representing the connected headset rather than an unused or disconnected device.
Pair with a TV
Check compatibility first
Direct TV pairing is not universal. Sony states that TVs able to connect to these headphones as Bluetooth audio devices are limited to Google TV and Android TV models that support the Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). A television can have Bluetooth for a remote, keyboard, or controller and still lack the Bluetooth audio support required for headphones.
| TV condition | What to do | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Google TV or Android TV with Bluetooth audio/A2DP support | Use the TV’s Bluetooth accessory settings and pair the headset normally. | The TV lists the headset and sends audio to it after connection. |
| TV has Bluetooth, but its specifications do not establish A2DP audio support | Check the television’s manual or support information before attempting repeated pairings. | Remote-control Bluetooth may work without headphone audio. |
| TV has no compatible Bluetooth audio function | Use a separate Bluetooth audio transmitter connected to an available TV audio output. | The transmitter provides the Bluetooth audio link that the TV itself lacks. |
Connect on a compatible Google TV or Android TV
- Move the headset close to the television and make sure it is charged.
- Open the TV’s Bluetooth accessory settings. The exact menu wording depends on the TV model and software version.
- Put the headphones in pairing mode. Power-on is automatic pairing for first use; for another device, hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds until the blue light flashes twice repeatedly and the voice prompt says, “Pairing.”
- Start the TV’s search for Bluetooth accessories.
- Select WH-CH520 or WH-CH530 series, depending on the headset.
- Complete any on-screen confirmation. If a passkey is requested, enter
0000. - Start a program and verify that sound is coming through the headphones. Some TVs require you to choose the Bluetooth headset as the active audio output after pairing.
If the television cannot find the headset even though the model supports A2DP, remove the headset from any nearby phone or computer that may be reconnecting to it, then repeat the search. If the TV never offers a Bluetooth-audio accessory option, a transmitter is the relevant workaround rather than another attempt at direct pairing.
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The core process is the same, but three details matter when following instructions or identifying the correct entry.
| Detail | WH-CH520 | WH-CH530 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth list name | WH-CH520 | WH-CH530 series |
| First-use behavior | Turn on the headset; it enters pairing mode automatically. | Turn on the headset; the guide describes the same automatic first-use pairing sequence. |
| Additional-device pairing | Hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds or more. | Hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds. |
| Pairing indication | Blue indicator flashes twice repeatedly; voice prompt says “Pairing.” | Blue indicator flashes twice repeatedly; voice prompt says “Pairing.” |
| Passkey, if requested | 0000 |
0000 |
| TV condition | Direct pairing depends on a Google TV or Android TV model that supports Bluetooth audio through A2DP. | |
Do not choose a similarly named Bluetooth entry by mistake. Selecting the exact listing shown above is especially important when several Sony or previously paired accessories are nearby.
Why the headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list
The headset is not actually in pairing mode
Powering on a headset that has already been used does not always begin a new-device search. Hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds and wait for the repeated double blue flashes and the “Pairing” prompt. Then refresh the source device’s Bluetooth search.
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- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends. (USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
The headset connected to the last-used device
Sony advises checking whether the headphones automatically connected to the last-connected nearby device. Turn off Bluetooth on that phone, laptop, or tablet, or move that device away. With the previous connection prevented, place the headset back into pairing mode and search again from the intended source.
The devices are too far apart or the headset is low on charge
Bring the source and headset within 1 m (3.2 ft) and charge the headset before retrying. These are Sony’s stated starting conditions for pairing and remove two common causes of an incomplete discovery attempt.
The wrong model name is being selected
Search for WH-CH520 when using the WH-CH520, and WH-CH530 series when using the WH-CH530. The WH-CH530 may not appear under a shortened name that omits “series.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do when a previous pairing is blocking reconnection
If the headset was paired before but will not connect now, remove its saved pairing information from the source device and pair it again. This is different from merely switching Bluetooth off and on: the old registration is deleted so the phone, laptop, or TV creates a fresh Bluetooth record.
- In the source device’s Bluetooth settings, find the saved Sony headset entry.
- Choose the platform’s command to forget, remove, unpair, or delete that device.
- Turn off Bluetooth on other nearby devices that have used the headset, or move them out of range.
- Put the headset into pairing mode by holding the Bluetooth button for about five seconds.
- Start a new Bluetooth search and select the exact model listing.
- Enter
0000only if prompted, then wait for the connected status and notification sound.
Deleting the old record is Sony’s documented recovery step when normal reconnection does not complete. It should be done on the source that is failing to connect; deleting a record on an unrelated device does not repair the active source’s saved entry.
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Each phone, computer, or compatible TV has its own saved Bluetooth registration. When you want to add another source, use the five-second Bluetooth-button procedure rather than assuming that simply turning the headset on will make it discoverable again. If an earlier source is nearby, it may reconnect first, so disabling Bluetooth on that source or moving it away makes the intended pairing predictable.
The supplied Sony instructions establish the pairing sequence and recovery steps, but they do not promise a particular multi-device switching feature or a fixed number of simultaneously active connections. Treat each new source as a separate pairing unless your model’s current documentation explicitly states otherwise.
Support and software checks
Sony’s WH-CH520 support page lists a Help Guide, firmware update version 1.0.6 released on 2026-02-05, and Sony Sound Connect software released on 2026-09-07. Support downloads and software availability can change, so use Sony’s current support page when checking for updates rather than relying on an old downloaded installer or an earlier guide.
Updating software is not a substitute for putting the headset into pairing mode or deleting a blocked pairing record. First follow the connection procedure above; consult the current support materials when the headset behaves differently from the documented indicators or when Sony has published a model-specific fix.
Quick Recap
Quick decision checklist
- Need the first connection? Turn on the charged headset and look for automatic pairing mode.
- Adding another device? Hold the Bluetooth button for about five seconds until the double blue flashes and “Pairing” prompt appear.
- Not sure which name to tap? Use WH-CH520 or WH-CH530 series, matching the model.
- Asked for a PIN? Enter
0000. - Paired but silent on a laptop? Select the Sony headset as the computer’s audio output.
- Trying a TV? Confirm it is Google TV or Android TV with Bluetooth A2DP audio support.
- Still blocked? Stop the last-used nearby device from reconnecting, delete the old pairing record, and pair again.
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