Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows (2023)

Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 More...Less

You can pairall 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.

Windows 11Windows 10Windows 8.1Windows 7

Before you start, make sure that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth. For more info on how to check, seeFix Bluetooth problems in Windows. If you need help adding a device without Bluetooth capabilities, seeAdd 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. SelectBluetooth to turn it on. If it's turned on without any Bluetooth devices connected, it might appear asNot connected .

    Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows (1)

    (Video) How to Add a Bluetooth Device in Windows 10 | Pair a Bluetooth Device with Windows 10

    If you don't see Bluetooth in quick settings, you might need to add it. For more info, see Change notifications and quick settingsin Windows 11.

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 Not paired.

    Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows (2)

  4. Follow additional instructions if they appear, then selectDone.

Your Bluetooth device and PC will usually automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other with Bluetooth turned on.

To paira 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 >Adddevice. Wait for it to find nearby printers, choose the one you want to use, then selectAdd device.

If you’re having problems installing your printer or scanner, see eitherFix printer problemsorInstall and use a scanner in Windows.

To paira 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, selectYeswhen asked if you want to get notifications and use Swift Pair.

  3. When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, selectConnect.

Before you start, make sure that your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth. For more info on how to check, seeFix 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:

(Video) [GUIDE] How to Turn ON Bluetooth on Windows 10 Very Easily

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, selectaction 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 asBluetoothorNot connected.

  • Add Bluetooth to action center. SelectStart > Settings >System > Notifications & actions > Quick actions. Go toAdd or remove quick actionsand 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.

Note:Not seeing your Bluetooth audio device? Learn how to fix connections to Bluetooth audio devices and wireless displays.

To paira 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 paira 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 > Adda 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 eitherFix printer problemsorInstall and use a scanner in Windows 10.

(Video) How To FIX Bluetooth Device Not Working On Windows 10

To paira 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.

Before you start, make sure that your Windows 8 PC supports Bluetooth.

  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. Select Start > type Bluetooth > select Bluetooth settings from the list.

  3. Turn on Bluetooth > select the device > Pair.

  4. 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.

  1. Turn on your Bluetooth device and make it discoverable.

    (Video) HOW TO Connect Bluetooth Device to Windows 10 PC

    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.

  2. Select Start Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows (3) > Devices and Printers.

  3. Select Add a device > select the device > Next.

  4. Follow anyother 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.

Recommended articles

How to use the PC Health Check app

Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows

Add a device to a Windows PC

Change notifications and quick settings in Windows

Install and use a scanner in Windows

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FAQs

Why is my PC not finding Bluetooth devices? ›

Check your PC

Turn Bluetooth on and off: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . Turn off Bluetooth, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices ..

How do I pair a Bluetooth device? ›

Step 1: Pair a Bluetooth accessory
  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Touch and hold Bluetooth .
  3. Tap Pair new device. If you don't find Pair new device, check under "Available devices" or tap More. Refresh.
  4. Tap the name of the Bluetooth device you want to pair with your device.
  5. Follow any on-screen instructions.

How do I get Windows to recognize my Bluetooth adapter? ›

  1. Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter. Type troubleshoot in Windows Starts Search box (Cortana) > Troubleshoot > Click Bluetooth and run the troubleshooter.
  2. Take actions related to Bluetooth driver. ...
  3. Head to following Microsoft help on Bluetooth issue and execute the steps there. ...
  4. Restart Bluetooth Support Service.
May 14, 2019

Why is my Bluetooth not showing up Windows 10? ›

Checking the Bluetooth Service

The most common reason why Bluetooth doesn't show in Settings is that its service isn't enabled. By default, the service startup type is set as Manual instead of Automatic. We can try starting the service again, changing it to automatic and check if this solves the problem.

How do I re add a device I removed from Bluetooth on Windows 10? ›

Press Windows logo key + X and select Device Manager. Click on View and select Show hidden devices. Expand Bluetooth. Right click on the device and select Update Drivers.

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