- Windows 10 and 8.1: Press Start > Bluetooth, and toggle it on.
- Windows 7: Press Start > search for Bluetooth > Change Bluetooth Settings > check Allow...Find This Computer > Ok.
This article explains how to enable Bluetooth on a Windows PC running Windows 10, 8.1, or 7.
Some computers offer a button or keyboard key that allows you to turn on Bluetooth with a single tap. However, if you cannot find one of these, enable Bluetooth in your computer’s settings.
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Select the Start button.
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Type "Bluetooth" into the search box and select Bluetooth settings from the list.
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Toggle the Bluetooth switch to On.
The settings to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 7 are slightly different than in newer Windows versions.
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Select the Start button.
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Type Bluetooth in the Start Search box.
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Select Change Bluetooth Settings in the search results. The Bluetooth Settings dialog box opens.
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Select the Allow Bluetooth Devices to Find This Computer checkbox under Discovery.
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Optionally, on the same screen, select the Allow Bluetooth Devices to Connect with This Computer checkbox and the Alert Me When a New Bluetooth Device Wants to Connect checkbox under Connections. These two options streamline the connection process without additional manual steps to connect a specific device.
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Select Apply and then select OK.
The Bluetooth icon appears on your taskbar or in the Hidden Icons folder to the left of the date and time on your taskbar.
After you activate Bluetooth and made your computer discoverable, connect Bluetooth headphones to your computer or pair any Bluetooth-enabled device—such as a keyboard, mouse, or speakers—to your computer.
The computer is now paired with the other device. They should automatically connect any time the two devices are within pairing range, provided Bluetooth is enabled on both.
If you are unable to enable Bluetooth on your Windows 7 computer, or if you are not able to pair another device with your computer through Bluetooth, troubleshooting can help you find the solution.
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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.
After you've checked that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth, you'll need to turn it on. Here's how:
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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 icon 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.If you don't see Bluetooth in quick settings, you might need to add it. For more info, see Change notifications and quick settings in Windows 11.
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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.
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On your PC, select Start > Settings > Bluetooth &devices > Add device > Bluetooth.
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Choose the Bluetooth device, 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
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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.
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.
Turn on Bluetooth in Settings
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:
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Expand quick actions. On the taskbar, select action center ( or ) > Expand. Bluetooth should appear here. It will appear as Bluetooth or Not connected.
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Add Bluetooth to action center. Select Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Quick actions. Go to Add or remove quick actions and turn on Bluetooth.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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If this is your first time using Swift Pair, select Yes when asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.
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When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, select Connect.
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After it’s connected, select Close.
Before you start, make sure that your Windows 8 PC supports Bluetooth.
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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.
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Select Start > type Bluetooth > select Bluetooth settings from the list.
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Turn on Bluetooth > select the device > Pair.
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Follow any instructions if they appear. Otherwise, you're done and connected.
Your Bluetooth device and PC will usually automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other with Bluetooth turned on.
Before you start, make sure that your Windows 7 PC supports Bluetooth.
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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.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.
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Select Start
> Devices and Printers. -
Select Add a device > select the device > Next.
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Follow any other instructions that might appear. Otherwise, you're done and connected.
Your Bluetooth device and PC will usually automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other with Bluetooth turned on.
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