Turning on your bluetooth

How to turn on Bluetooth in Windows

When you first bought your Windows PC, you were likely excited about its ability to connect to Bluetooth. But you still haven’t quite figured out how to activate the feature so you can pair your Bluetooth wireless mouse, Bluetooth keyboard, Bluetooth speaker, Bluetooth headset, Bluetooth headphones, or any other Bluetooth-capable devices you can think of using with your computer.

That Bluetooth problem stops now. To help you out, we’ll show you how to turn on Bluetooth using different methods, and we’ll guide you through pairing your Bluetooth device with your Windows computer or laptop.

Method 1: Windows settings

Before you can start using a Bluetooth device, you must get things configured. That means taking a trip to the Windows settings menu, which means the Control Panel on Windows 7 and the Settings app on Windows 10.

Windows 10

Step 1: On a Windows 10 computer, you’ll want to open the Action Center (it looks like a comment bubble on the right end of the Windows 10 taskbar). On the menu that appears, click on the All Settings button. Then, select Devices and click Bluetooth & Other Devices on the left-hand side.

Step 2: Within the Settings menu’s Bluetooth section, toggle Bluetooth to the On position. Once you’ve turned Bluetooth on, you can click Add Bluetooth or Other Device. After the Add a Device window pops up, click on Bluetooth, and Windows 10 will start searching for Bluetooth wireless devices.

Step 3: Assuming you kicked off your Bluetooth device’s pairing mode, you’ll see it show up in the list of available devices. Select it, and then continue as instructed. Once you’ve connected the device, it will show up in the list of connected peripherals.

Windows 7

Note that Windows 7 is considered “end of life” (EOL) and no longer receives Microsoft’s critical security updates. That makes it dangerous to use, as malware could infect your machine without you knowing.

Usually, once a Bluetooth adapter is installed and configured on a Windows 7 system, it’s automatically turned on and ready to use. In some PCs — like a notebook with built-in Bluetooth — there might be a keyboard shortcut that will turn Bluetooth on or off, or an icon might be present in the system tray that will perform the same function.

Additionally, different PCs and Bluetooth adapters can include the utilities necessary for making a Bluetooth connection. However, users can generally hit the S tart button and select Devices and Printers . Once you’re here, choose Add a Device , pick the option you want, and click Next . Different devices will often have very different procedures for pairing, though, so don’t forget to look up the specific directions for your device.

Method 2: Click the Bluetooth button in the Action Center

Windows 10 makes toggling Bluetooth on and off really easy. All you have to do is navigate to your Action Center and select the Bluetooth button (look for the icon). You’ll know the Bluetooth setting is off when the button is gray. If it’s on, it might read “not connected” if you’re not already connected to a Bluetooth device, or it will tell you that another device is currently attached and connected.

You should only have to complete this pairing process once. Once your Bluetooth device and PC have a record of each other, they should automatically connect if the device is switched on and in the appropriate range. When you’re not utilizing the Bluetooth setting, you can disable Bluetooth to extend your battery life. Leaving your Bluetooth function on can potentially leave it exposed to hackers or other issues, so it’s a good idea to just turn it off when you aren’t using it.

How to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11

Windows 11 isn’t quite generally available yet, but when it is, you’ll need to know how to enable Bluetooth on Windows 11. Don’t worry too much, though, as the process is very easy. It’s one of the things that Microsoft tried to make easier in the operating system.

Step 1: Click on the area next to the clock — it has your Wi-Fi, battery, and sound icons.

Step 2: In the toggle that pops up, look for Bluetooth.

Step 3: Click the Bluetooth box and make sure it’s lit up. Bluetooth will be turned on. If it’s not lit up, then Windows 11 Bluetooth is turned off.

Step 4: Right-click on the icon and choose Go to Settings.

Step 5: You’ll be taken to the Bluetooth and Devices page, where you can manage and remove different devices. You can use the toggle to turn Bluetooth on.

If getting to the Bluetooth settings with the methods we described above is too complicated for you, then don’t worry — you can still enable Bluetooth in Windows 11. Just search in the Start menu for “Bluetooth settings” and click the appropriate search result. You’ll then be taken to the Bluetooth settings page we just described.

Editors’ Recommendations

Источник

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.

Related topics

Источник