How to turn on bluetooth on windows 10
How to turn on bluetooth on windows 10
How to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10 and pair your devices
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Bluetooth allows for you to wirelessly connect your computers or phones to other devices, such as earbuds, keyboards, speakers, cars, and more.
For example, you may want to use Bluetooth on Windows 10 to listen to music through headphones, connect a keyboard and mouse, or send files between computers.
Here’s how you can turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10, troubleshoot your connection, and pair your devices.
How to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10
1. Click the Windows Start button at the bottom left of your screen.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Devices.
4. Click Bluetooth & other devices. Turn on the Bluetooth switch.
Alternatively, Bluetooth can be very quickly toggled on or off in the Windows 10 Action Center.
1. Open the Action Center. The Action Center icon is the speech bubble located on the bottom right of your screen, next to the clock.
2. If you don’t see an array of action tiles, click Expand.
3. Click on the Bluetooth tile to toggle it on or off. When it has a blue background, it is on.
Troubleshooting your Bluetooth connection
It can be frustrating if Bluetooth isn’t working on your computer. However, there are some common ways to fix the issue:
Quick tip: If Bluetooth still isn’t working, you may need to fix a Bluetooth driver. For more information, read our article on how to update drivers in Windows 10.
How to pair a Bluetooth device on Windows 10
1. Turn on your Bluetooth device and make sure it is discoverable. How you make the device discoverable varies between devices. As such, please check the device instructions to learn how.
2. On your computer, click the Start button.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Devices.
5. Click Bluetooth & other devices.
6. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
7. Click Bluetooth in the popup window that appears.
8. Choose the device and follow any additional instructions should they appear.
9. Click Done.
Starting with Windows 10 version 1803 and later, Swift Pair is also an option to connect Bluetooth devices to your Windows 10 computer. Swift Pair makes it so that you no longer have to navigate through the Settings App in order to connect devices.
When the Bluetooth device is in range, Windows will automatically prompt you in the bottom right of your screen asking if you wish to connect the device. All you have to do is press connect and your device should pair.
Quick tip: Make sure that the Swift Pair checkbox in Bluetooth & other devices is checked in order to enable Swift pairing.
How to Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11/10 [Solved]
How to fix it if your Bluetooth won’t turn on? Here’s the real fix!
Last Updated: 7 months ago
To connect your Bluetooth device (headphones, mouse, etc.), or to transfer files from your iPhone to your PC via Bluetooth, you need to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10 first.
How to Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10 (and how to fix it if it won’t turn on)
In this guide you’ll learn:
How to Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10
Normally you can turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10 in three easy steps:
There’s no need to panic. We’re about to show you how to fix Bluetooth on your Windows 10 computer and get that switch back for you.
What to do if you can’t turn Bluetooth on in Windows 10
Here are the top three ways to fix Bluetooth issues in Windows 10. Just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.
Here’s how you can check if your computer support Bluetooth:
a) If you do find one or more Bluetooth adapters in Device Manager, your Windows 10 computer supports Bluetooth then. Move on to the solutions to continue solve your problem.
b) If you can’t find any Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager, your Windows 10 computer doesn’t support Bluetooth then. But don’t worry, a Bluetooth receiver can easily solve the problem for you.
Fix 1: Update the Bluetooth driver on your computer
Bluetooth needs the supporting hardware and software to work. When you’re sure your computer supports Bluetooth, but it’s still not working, the first thing you should do is update your Bluetooth driver.
There’re two ways you can update your Bluetooth driver: manually and automatically.
To manuall y update the driver, head to your computer manufacturer’s website and search for the most recent correct Bluetooth driver. Make sure the choose the right driver for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit).
But if you have the Pro version you can click Update All to automatically download and install all of the missing or outdated drivers on your computer.
(If you click the Update All button in the Free version you’ll be asked if you want to upgrade to the Pro version.)
Do you see the option to switch Bluetooth on now? If you do, great. You’ve fixed the problem. But if it’s still not there, there’s something else you can try…
Fix 2: Re-enable the Bluetooth driver software in Device Manager
Is the Bluetooth switch appearing now? If it’s not, we have something else you can try…
Fix 3: Make sure the Bluetooth Support Service is running
What to do if the above suggestions don’t work: Switch to ChromeOS
Windows is a very old technology. Sure, Windows 10 is relatively new, but it’s still just the latest iteration of a decades-old operating system, designed for a bygone era (pre-internet).
Now that we have the internet, fast connection speeds, free cloud storage, and endless web apps (like Gmail, Google Docs, Slack, Facebook, Dropbox and Spotify), the entire Windows way of doing things – with locally installed programs and local file storage – is totally outdated.
Why is that a problem? Because when you’re constantly installing uncontrolled third-party programs, you’re constantly opening the door to viruses and other malware. (And Windows’ insecure permission system compounds this problem.)
Plus the way Windows manages installed software and hardware has always been a problem. If your computer shuts down unexpectedly, or a program installs, uninstalls or updates incorrectly, you can get ‘registry’ corruptions. That’s why Windows PCs always slow down and become unstable over time.
Also because everything’s installed and saved locally, it doesn’t take long before you run out of disk space, and your disk gets fragmented, which makes everything even slower and more unstable.
For most people, the simplest way to solve Windows problems is to ditch Windows altogether, and switch to a faster, more reliable, more secure, easier to use and cheaper operating system…
ChromeOS feels much like Windows, but instead of installing heaps of programs to email, chat, browse the internet, write documents, do school presentations, create spreadsheets, and whatever else you normally do on a computer, you use web apps. You don’t need to install anything at all.
That means you don’t have virus and malware problems, and your computer doesn’t slow down over time, or become unstable.
And that’s just the start of the benefits…
To learn more about the benefits of ChromeOS, and to see comparison videos and demos, visit GoChromeOS.com.
Hopefully this has fixed your Bluetooth problem. Please feel free to comment below with your experiences, and to share this post with friends and colleagues, if they’re having Bluetooth troubles.
How to turn on & use Bluetooth in Windows 11/10
To most, Bluetooth, often means the ability to connect their headset wirelessly, computer, smartphone to each other. But there are several other uses of Bluetooth. Today in this post, we will see how to turn on or enable – and use Bluetooth in Windows Windows 11 and Windows 10, to send & receive files.
Enable or Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 11/10
To learn more about these steps, continue reading.
Click open the Start Menu. Next open Settings and select Devices to open the Windows 10 Devices Settings. Alternatively, you can press the Win+I button to open the same.
Now in the left panel, you will see Bluetooth in Windows 10. However, if you are using Windows 11, you need to go to the Bluetooth & devices right after opening the Windows Settings panel.
Click on it to open the following settings.
To turn on Bluetooth, toggle the Bluetooth slider to the On position.
Your PC will start searching for other devices to pair up with. So make sure that you have turned on Bluetooth on your smartphone or another device.
Once the device is found, it will be displayed there. Click on it to expand it. You will see a Pair button.
Clicking on Pair will connect your PC to your other device.
Before the devices are paired, you will have to confirm that the passcode displayed on both the devices is the same.
Once you have confirmed this, click on Yes – and the devices will be connected via Bluetooth.
Incidentally, clicking on More Bluetooth settings (first image above) will open up the following panel where you will be offered more settings like – Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC, Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect, Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area, etc.
Coming back, once the devices are connected, you can use the Bluetooth connection to send or receive files.
You might want to also read about Infrared on Windows 10.
How to use Bluetooth in Windows 11/10
Click on the Send or receive files via Bluetooth link displayed in the settings (first image above). The following wizard will open.
It is an easy-to-understand wizard and you can use it o Send files or Receive files via Bluetooth.
How do I turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11/10 manually?
To turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11/10 manually, you need to go to the Windows Settings and find the Bluetooth & devices section. Here you can find a Bluetooth toggle button. You need to click on it to turn it on. In other words, if you want to disable Bluetooth, you need to visit the same place and toggle the corresponding button.
Why can’t I turn on my Bluetooth on Windows 11/10?
There could be various reasons why you can’t turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11/10. Starting with the hardware, it may go to the respective driver as well. To fix the issue, you need to check if the Bluetooth hardware is working or not. Following that, you need to check if the driver is installed on your PC.
Why did my Bluetooth disappear in Windows 11/10?
If the Bluetooth button or icon is missing or disappeared in Windows 11/10, you can get it back within moments. You need to open the Windows Settings pane and tick the Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area checkbox. Other than that, you can verify if the corresponding service is running.
How To Turn On Bluetooth On Windows 10
Send and receive files, stream music and more
Many Windows computers come with Bluetooth connectivity, which you can use to connect most of your devices like smartphones, speakers, headphones, printers, earbuds, and more.
If yours doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can always use a Bluetooth adapter. It’s an inexpensive way of getting Bluetooth connectivity for your devices and it’s easy to install.
However, Bluetooth tends to drain your device’s battery life when it’s in use, and leaving it on comes with some security risks. Read our piece on What Is Bluetooth & What Is It Commonly Used For for more Bluetooth limitations.
If you want to use Bluetooth for wireless audio, to transfer some files or use your wireless mouse, keyboard or other peripheral, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10.
Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10
There are three methods you can use to turn on bluetooth on Windows 10
We’ll go through these one at a time.
1. Use Windows Settings
The first step before using your Bluetooth device is to configure the Bluetooth settings in Windows 10. To do this, go to the Settings app in Windows 10 by clicking on the Start button, and then click on the Settings icon.
Next, click Devices.
Click Bluetooth & Other Devices.
Note: If the Bluetooth toggle isn’t available on the Bluetooth & Other devices settings, your Windows computer probably doesn’t have the Bluetooth feature, or the related hardware isn’t recognized.
You can expand the window to see the options on the right menu
2. Turn on Bluetooth in Action Center
The Action Center in Windows 10 allows you to access quick settings and actionable app notifications.
You can find the Action Center icon on your taskbar at the lower right side of your screen.
When you click on it, you’ll see the quick settings and app notification icons. Click All Settings.
Next, click Devices.
Click Bluetooth and other devices on the left hand side.
Toggle the Bluetooth slider to On.
Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
Click Bluetooth. Windows will begin searching for available Bluetooth devices.
If your other device has Bluetooth on, or it’s in pairing mode, you’ll see its name appear on the list of available devices. From here, you can click or tap on the device you want to pair with and once connected, it’ll be part of your list of connected peripherals.
Alternatively, click on the Bluetooth button in Action Center to toggle it on or off. If it’s not connected, you’ll see the Bluetooth icon with the label “Not Connected”. If it’s grayed out, then Bluetooth is off. If you click on it, the button turns blue indicating that Bluetooth is turned on (the Bluetooth icon will also appear on your taskbar).
Note: Your paired Bluetooth device should automatically connect whenever it’s within range or turned on.
If you’re experiencing difficulties connecting Bluetooth or it just won’t work on your computer or device, check out the troubleshooting tips to use when Bluetooth doesn’t work on your computer or smartphone.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Device to Your Windows PC
You can connect many kinds of Bluetooth devices to your computer such as phones, printers, speakers, mice and keyboards among others. Your computer needs to have Bluetooth for this to work, but if it doesn’t, try using a USB Bluetooth adapter to get Bluetooth.
We’ll look at a few of the common devices you can connect to your computer running Windows 10 via Bluetooth.
Printer/Scanner
Depending on the type of printer or scanner you’re using, turn on its Bluetooth setting and make it discoverable.
On your Windows computer, use the steps above to turn on Bluetooth (via Settings or Action Center).
Next, go to Settings and click Devices. Click Printers & Scanners on the left pane.
Click Add a printer or scanner. Windows will search for nearby printers or scanners.
Click on the printer or scanner you want to use and then click Add device.
Note: If you have issues installing your printer or scanner, see our guide on how to troubleshoot common printer problems in Windows 10 or how to add a wireless or network printer in Windows 10. If your scanner is acting up, try one of our best scanner apps to scan and manage your documents.
Audio devices
If you want to connect a pair of headphones, a speaker or other audio device to your Windows PC, turn on the device and make it discoverable (the method for this depends on the device you’re using).
Most wireless speakers have a Bluetooth button next to the other controls while headphones have a Bluetooth button on the earcup. You can check the device manufacturer’s website or the manual that came in the package to find out where it is.
Image credit: E. Bochere
Turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 10 computer, and then go to Settings > Devices and click Bluetooth & Other devices. Turn on Bluetooth. Alternatively, use the Bluetooth button in the Action Center.
Note: If you don’t see the Bluetooth button in Action Center, click Start > Settings > System.
Click Notifications & Actions, and then go to Quick Actions > Edit your Quick Actions.
Click +Add and select Bluetooth to include it on the Quick settings in the Action Center.
Click Connect while in Action center, and click on the device you want to pair with your computer. You’ll see the discoverable device on the list of available devices from the Bluetooth & other devices page.
Your devices will be paired and connected, and you can enjoy your music, podcasts or movies and other media via your Bluetooth audio device.
Mouse, Keyboard or Other Peripherals
If you want to use a wireless mouse or keyboard when working or gaming, turn on the device to make it discoverable and then turn on Bluetooth on your Windows PC.
Select the device from the list of available Bluetooth devices, and wait until it pairs with your computer and they’re both connected.
Use Swift Pair
Swift Pair is a service in Windows 10 that allows you to pair supported Bluetooth devices with your PC, thereby reducing the steps needed to pair devices. If the device also supports Swift Pair, you’ll get a notification whenever it’s within range or nearby to make it discoverable.
To use Swift Pair, turn on the device and make it discoverable (this method depends on the device you’re pairing. You can visit the manufacturer’s website or use the manual for more information).
Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other devices and click the Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair box.
Select Yes (if it’s your first time using Swift Pair) to get notifications and use the service. Click Connect when the “New Bluetooth device was found” notification appears. Once connected, click Close.
Enjoy Wireless Freedom
We hope you now know how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10 and pair all your Bluetooth devices with your computer. You can now send and receive files from a Bluetooth device to your PC, listen to podcasts, music and other audio files, and much more.
Elsie is a technology writer and editor with a special focus on Windows, Android and iOS. She writes about software, electronics and other tech subjects, her ultimate goal being to help people out with useful solutions to their daily tech issues in a simple, straightforward and unbiased style. She has a BCom degree in Marketing and currently pursuing her Masters in Communications and New Media. Read Elsie’s Full Bio
How to Turn On or Fix Bluetooth in Windows 10
Steve Larner Steve Larner carries over ten years of content management, editing, and writing experience in a wide variety of industries. As a tech enthusiast, Steve also enjoys exploring new products and devices and helping others solve their technological problems. Read more December 18, 2020
Whether you want to use a pair of Bluetooth headphones, transfer files, or wirelessly connect to your phone, you need to know how to access Bluetooth on your PC in addition to on your phone. Turning Bluetooth on in Windows 10 is very simple and easy. However, some errors can occur, making things problematic. Here’s how to turn on or fix Bluetooth in Windows 10.
How to Activate Bluetooth in Windows 10
If your PC has Bluetooth functionality, Windows 10 automatically features it. If you have the device and it’s not showing, here’s how to activate it.
Option #1: Turning Bluetooth On through Settings
Option #2: Turning Bluetooth On using Keyboard
Pairing with Devices
The Bluetooth feature doesn’t make any changes to your computer, other than consuming your battery. However, it gives you the option to connect to various Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as headphones, earbuds, PCs, smartphones, and fitness watches.
Connecting your computer to a Bluetooth device is as simple as finding it on the list in the “Bluetooth & other devices” menu. Of course, the device needs set to pairing mode and must be discoverable. You can find the details on how to pair any Bluetooth device in its instruction manual—well, almost.
To connect to a device, click on it from the list of discovered Bluetooth products, and then select “Connect.” The link should get established quickly.
Troubleshooting
Unfortunately, the Bluetooth function on Windows 10 computers is known to act up. Although the previously mentioned methods are official and are the most straightforward way to turn Bluetooth on, they sometimes don’t work. The quickest course of action is restarting your device. After your PC reboots, try turning the Bluetooth feature on again.
Does Your Computer Support Bluetooth?
If nothing has worked so far, try using “Device Manager” to see if Bluetooth is listed. Take note that your PC may support Bluetooth functionality and still not show up in the devices list. That scenario occurs when there is no Bluetooth driver set up for the external adaptor or internal component. However, internal Bluetooth devices generally get detected, whether installed or not.
If you find a Bluetooth device within Device Manager and you still can’t turn it on, the issue lies elsewhere.
Update the Bluetooth Driver
Whenever a feature on a Windows computer doesn’t work, you should always look for updates. Like most components, Bluetooth adapters need software to work, and Windows 10 updates have been known to break device drivers and functionality.
Drivers are updated either manually or automatically. The manual method might be a bit tedious, but it will do the job. Just find out which Bluetooth device your computer is using (from the Device Manager). Then, search the name of the device and download the drivers from the official website.
Alternatively, you can download a third-party program that automatically downloads any missing drivers to your computer. These services are often paid options. However, be careful if you choose third-party software. Some programs are more apt to install the wrong driver. Back up your system drivers (at the least) before using the software to update your system components.
After installing the drivers (one way or another), restart your computer and try turning the Bluetooth on again.
Re-Enabling the Bluetooth Software
Sometimes, system errors occur that cause components to stop working correctly. This situation often happens with Bluetooth components, and the best course of action is to give the devices a “wakeup call.” Go to Device Manager and find your Bluetooth component. Right-click it and select Disable device. Now, right-click the entry again and select Enable device. Restart your computer and try turning on Bluetooth again.
If enabling and disabling fails to solve your Bluetooth problem, try uninstalling the driver instead. Sometimes, a fresh installation is all the device needs. Don’t worry, as this won’t mess up the device or make it disappear from the list unless you choose to delete the driver.
Bluetooth Support Service
Now, we’re going to have to delve a bit deeper. If none of the above solutions worked, it’s time to use the “Run” feature.
What Else Can Cause Bluetooth Failure?
Although one or more of the above methods generally solve Bluetooth problems in Windows 10, there’s a small chance that you’re still struggling to get Bluetooth to work. In this case, contacting the manufacturer or your retailer would be your best bet. If not, getting a USB Bluetooth adapter should help.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as forgetting to install or adequately reattach the Bluetooth board/device when performing a laptop or desktop teardown, whether for cleaning or repairs. That scenario would cause Bluetooth to disappear from the Device Manager and make it not work.
Turning On Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a simple feature on Windows computers. However, that’s usually not the case. There’s a whole lot that can go wrong with it, from hardware to software issues. Before doing anything else, check if your computer supports Bluetooth in the first place (many older ones don’t) and update the software. Most likely, at least one of the methods should work.