How to get bluetooth

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

1. 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.
2. On your PC, select the Network , Sound, or Battery icons ( ) next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar.
3. Select Manage Bluetooth devices on the Bluetooth quick setting, then select your device under New devices.

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.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
3. When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, select Connect.
4. 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.

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How to Get Bluetooth on PC without an Adapter?

Bluetooth connectivity allows us to share files from one device to another. However, not all devices have built-in Bluetooth connectivity features.

One such major device that lacks Bluetooth connectivity is our PC. So how to get Bluetooth on PC without an adapter?

This article will unleash the best methods on how your PC gets access to Bluetooth without using any Bluetooth adapter.

How to Get Bluetooth on PC without an Adapter?

There are several ways that will allow us to get Bluetooth on a PC without using an adapter. But the cheapest, best, and easiest way is through Bluetooth Expansion Card.

But, what is a Bluetooth Expansion Card?

The Bluetooth expansion card or PCI cards are used to either establish Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. These cards have an antenna that boosts the connection. However, these cards need professional assistance to be perfectly installed.

Unlike the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dongles that you can easily plug into the computer, installing these cards may be a little complicated since they need to be installed in the computer’s motherboard.

How to Install Bluetooth Expansion Card / PCI card?

Before you begin the installation process, you must have the following:

1. Your computer.
2. Your Bluetooth Expansion Card or PCI cards
3. Your computer or your computer box’s manual.

We created a guide for you to easily install the PCI/Bluetooth expansion card.

13 Easy Steps to Get Bluetooth on PC without an Adapter (Using a Bluetooth Expansion Card)

1. Disconnect the power cord: For safety purposes, you need to make sure that the computer is completely turned off and the computer’s power cord is unplugged from the power strip or power outlet.
2. Remove all the cables at the back of the computer: After unplugging the power cord, carefully remove the cords at the back of the computer. You need to do this because you need to open the computer box.
3. Wait for your computer to cool down: After you unplug the power cord, let your computer rest for a couple of minutes for it to cool down. This way, you can make sure that the computer won’t generate any static charge.
4. Open your computer’s box: If you haven’t tried opening your computer box yet, it is advisable that you read your computer’s manual and follow through the steps on how to open your computer box.

But here’s a general step on how to open your computer box.

• Lay the computer box on your workstation, or table.
• Make sure that you have easy access to the back part of the computer box.
• Loosen the screws on your computer box. (You may need a screwdriver on this part.)

1. Check for available PCI slots: Most computer boxes have around one or two PCI card slots. Usually the PCI card slots are located just next to the graphics cards.

1. Remove the metal protector: Each PCI slot usually has a bay associated with it. If there’s nothing connected to your PCI slot, it will be covered by a metal plate or metal protector. To remove the metal protectors, unscrew the screw or screws that lock the metal protector to the PCI slot.

1. Remove the PCI card plate: Gently remove the new bluetooth expansion card/PCI card from its package. Avoid touching the card’s circuit.

1. Install the Bluetooth expansion card to the PCI slot: Attach the bluetooth expansion card to the available PCI slot that you want to use. Make sure that the bluetooth expansion card is properly installed before you put the PCI card plate back to the computer box.

1. Put back the PCI metal plate: Gently put back the metal plate to the box. Secure and lock it using the same screws you removed from the metal protector. Make sure that the screws are finger tight.

1. Close your computer’s box: Put back the side panel of your computer. Use the same screw that you removed when you opened the box. Make sure that everything is properly secured and the screws are finger-tight.

1. Set up your computer box: Once you have successfully closed the box, put back the box at your workstation. Plug all the cords back in except those cords intended to be plugged in to the new PCI slot.

1. Install drivers: Turn on your computer. Wait for the computer to load the operating system. Once it’s fully up, insert the disk drive that comes with the new bluetooth expansion card. After you insert the card, you will see a prompt on how to install the drivers.

Note: Some operating systems automatically detect the newly installed card. Only perform Step 13, if your system did not detect the drivers. Always remember, you need the drivers for the feature to work properly.

1. Plug in the designated cords: Once everything is up and running. Plug in the designated cords to the newly installed bluetooth expansion card.

Of course, installing the Bluetooth expansion card is the easiest way to get Bluetooth on a PC. However, if you don’t like the hassle of opening your computer box, you can buy a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth dongle.

You can easily plug this dongle to your computer’s port. The only catch is, dongles are known to have some connectivity and speed issues. Thus, it would be better to purchase the Bluetooth expansion card instead. That’s it for today’s how-to guide.

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