- How to Connect a Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers
- In This Article
- Make Your Bluetooth Speakers Discoverable
- How to Connect Your Windows Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers
- How to Connect to Bluetooth Speakers on a Mac
- Troubleshoot a Pairing Failure
- Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows
- Turn on Bluetooth
- To pair a Bluetooth device
- To pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
- To pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
- Turn on Bluetooth
- To pair a Bluetooth headset, speaker, or other audio device
- To pair a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or other device
- To pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
- To pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
- Related topics
- How to Connect a Bluetooth Speaker to Windows 10
- Expert Q&A
- Tips
- You Might Also Like
How to Connect a Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers
Luis Chavez is a former Lifewire writer and a System Administrator with 5+ years’ experience writing about technology for end users.
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years’ experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
In This Article
This article explains the process of connecting your Windows or Mac laptop to Bluetooth computer speakers. Instructions apply to Windows 10, macOS, and Mac OS X.
Follow different instructions to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 7.
Make Your Bluetooth Speakers Discoverable
To connect Bluetooth speakers to any laptop, make sure the speakers are discoverable—that is, set them to pairing mode. Typically, you’ll press and hold the power button or the Bluetooth button for about five seconds. When the Bluetooth LED blinks, the speakers are ready to be paired with the laptop according to the steps below.
If you don’t see the blinking LED, consult the documentation that came with the speakers, or go to the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.
How to Connect Your Windows Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers
Although most modern Windows computers support Bluetooth, some business-class desktop PCs and some old consumer-class PCs do not. If you can’t find the Bluetooth settings, purchase and install a hardware USB receiver to enable Bluetooth compatibility.
To pair a new device in Windows 10, press Win+K, then select the device from the list that appears in the Action Center window. The devices pair automatically.
Some devices—for example, Bluetooth keyboards—might have additional setup instructions, such as typing numbers or confirming a code. Consult the device’s documentation or the manufacturer’s website for instructions.
How to Connect to Bluetooth Speakers on a Mac
The steps for connecting with a laptop running OS X or macOS are similar to connecting a peripheral on Windows.
- In the Apple menu, click System Preferences. Or, go to the Dock and select the System Preferences icon.
In the Devices list, select the Connect button for the Bluetooth speakers.
When the Bluetooth speakers are paired, they show as Connected.
Troubleshoot a Pairing Failure
When it works, pairing Bluetooth speakers and a laptop is a simple process, but sometimes things don’t go smoothly. Here are a few simple fixes that might help:
- Confirm that the speakers are turned on.
- Use the pairing technique recommended in the documentation.
- Turn Bluetooth off and on again on the laptop.
- Position the speakers within five feet of the laptop.
- Fully charge the laptop and the speakers (or attach to a power outlet).
- Move away from the Wi-Fi router, which can interfere with the connection.
- Turn both the laptop and the speakers off and back on.
- Remove any obstructions between the speakers and the laptop.
Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows
You can pair all kinds of Bluetooth devices with your PC—including keyboards, mice, phones, speakers, and a whole lot more. To do this, your PC needs to have Bluetooth. Some PCs, such as laptops and tablets, have Bluetooth built in. If your PC doesn’t, you can plug a USB Bluetooth adapter into the USB port on your PC to get it.
Before you start, make sure that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth. For more info on how to check, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows. If you need help adding a device without Bluetooth capabilities, see Add a device to a Windows PC.
Turn on Bluetooth
After you’ve checked that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth, you’ll need to turn it on. Here’s how:
- In Settings: Select Start >Settings >Bluetooth & devices , and then turn on Bluetooth .
- In quick settings: To find the quick setting for Bluetooth, select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons ( ) next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar. Select Bluetooth to turn it on. If it’s turned on without any Bluetooth devices connected, it might appear as Not connected .
To pair a Bluetooth device
- Turn on your Bluetooth device and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
- On your PC, select the Network , Sound, or Battery icons ( ) next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar.
- Select Manage Bluetooth devices on the Bluetooth quick setting, then select your device under New devices.
Your Bluetooth device and PC will usually automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other with Bluetooth turned on.
Tip: If you don’t see the Bluetooth device you want displayed in the list, you may need to set the Bluetooth devices discovery setting to Advanced. To learn how, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows.
To pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
- Turn on your Bluetooth printer or scanner and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
- Select Start >Settings >Bluetooth & devices >Printers & scanners >Add device. Wait for it to find nearby printers, choose the one you want to use, then select Add device.
If you’re having problems installing your printer or scanner, see either Fix printer problems or Install and use a scanner in Windows.
To pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
Swift Pair in Windows 11 lets you quickly pair a supported Bluetooth device with your PC. If the Bluetooth device supports Swift Pair, you’ll receive a notification when it’s nearby and you put it into pairing mode to make it discoverable.
- Turn on a Bluetooth device that supports Swift Pair and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn more.
- If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
- When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, select Connect.
Before you start, make sure that your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth. For more info on how to check, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10. If you need help adding a device without Bluetooth capabilities, see Add a device to a Windows 10 PC.
Turn on Bluetooth
After you’ve checked that your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth, you’ll need to turn it on. Here’s how:
In Settings: Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and turn on Bluetooth.
In action center: Action center can be found next to time and date on your taskbar. On the taskbar, select action center ( or ), then select Bluetooth to turn it on. If it’s turned off, it might appear as Not connected.
If you don’t see Bluetooth in your action center, here’s how you can change it:
- Expand quick actions. On the taskbar, select action center ( or ) >Expand. Bluetooth should appear here. It will appear as Bluetooth or Not connected.
- Add Bluetooth to action center. Select Start >Settings >System >Notifications & actions >Quick actions. Go to Add or remove quick actions and turn on Bluetooth.
Note: For more info about how to change the apps and settings that appear in action center, see Change notification and action settings in Windows 10.
To pair a Bluetooth headset, speaker, or other audio device
- Turn on your Bluetooth audio device and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
- On your PC, select Start >Settings >Devices >Bluetooth & other devices >Add Bluetooth or other device >Bluetooth. Choose the device and follow additional instructions if they appear, then select Done. Your Bluetooth device and PC will usually automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other with Bluetooth turned on.
To pair a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or other device
- Turn on your Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, or other device and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufactur’s website to learn how.
- On your PC, select Start >Settings >Devices >Bluetooth & other devices >Add Bluetooth or other device >Bluetooth. Choose the device and follow additional instructions if they appear, then select Done.
To pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
- Turn on your Bluetooth printer or scanner and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn how.
- Select Start >Settings >Devices >Printers & scanners >Add a printer or scanner. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use and select Add device.
If you’re having installation issues with your printer or scanner, see either Fix printer problems or Install and use a scanner in Windows 10.
To pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
Swift Pair in Windows 10 lets you quickly pair a supported Bluetooth device with your PC. If the Bluetooth device supports Swift Pair, you’ll receive a notification when it’s nearby and you put it into pairing mode to make it discoverable.
- Turn on a Bluetooth device that supports Swift Pair and make it discoverable. The way you make it discoverable depends on the device. Check the device or visit the manufacturer’s website to learn more.
- If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
- When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, select Connect.
- After it’s connected, select Close.
Tip: If you’re a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit Small business help & learning.
Related topics
How to Connect a Bluetooth Speaker to Windows 10
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.
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Most modern PCs, desktop or laptop, come equipped with Bluetooth support. If your computer does not have Bluetooth compatibility, you can get an adapter that will serve as a Bluetooth port. This wikiHow will show you how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a Windows 10 computer.
- Your speaker may require it to be plugged in and on for it to be paired.
- Your speaker may require to be close to your computer to pair.
Click the speech bubble icon in your taskbar. You’ll see this near the right of your screen, as long as the taskbar is still in its default position along the bottom of the screen. If you have active notifications, the icon may look more like a square with a small number over it.
- You can also enable Bluetooth on your PC in the Settings. Click Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices, and then slide the «Bluetooth» switch to the On position.
Click Connect on the Action Center. This is the tile with an icon of two devices. The panel will slide away for a moment as it searches.
- Your PC and speaker will connect whenever they are in range of each other and have Bluetooth turned on. [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
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