Bluetooth is a modern convenience that’s becoming more prevalent as technology evolves and grows.
Bluetooth allows you to connect wireless peripherals to your computer, such as headsets and speakers, as well as pairing your smartphone and other computers for wireless file transfers.
If you’re looking to use Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC, then keep reading. We’ll cover how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11.
Turn on Bluetooth From the Action Center
The quickest and easiest way to turn on Bluetooth is through the Action Center. To open the Action Center, simply click on the Notifications icon, or the network/volume icon, in the taskbar tray down at the bottom right part of the screen.
When the Action Center opens, find the Bluetooth tab and click on it to turn on Bluetooth.
Turn on Bluetooth From Settings
If you want to turn on Bluetooth and have access to more information about your connected devices, then you can do so from the Settings app. First, open up the Settings app by clicking the Start button and going to Settings. Alternatively, you can also open it by pressing the Windows key + I.
Once in Settings, click on the Bluetooth & Other Devices tab on the left.
Now you can simply turn on Bluetooth by toggling the switch in the Bluetooth section near the top of the window.
Enable Bluetooth in the Control Panel
If you can’t find Bluetooth in the Action Center or Settings app, your Bluetooth adapter may be disabled. In that case, you’ll need to enable it in the Control Panel.
To get started, open up a Run box by pressing the Windows key + R. In the run box, type in ncpa.cpl and click the OK button. This will bring up the Network Connections window in the Control Panel.
Once in Network Connections, find your Bluetooth adapter. Right-click on it and select Enable to enable your Bluetooth adapter. From here, you can follow either of the first two steps to turn on your Bluetooth.
Enable Bluetooth in Device Manager
If your Bluetooth adapter is disabled, you can also enable it through the Device Manager. Start by right-clicking on the Start button and clicking on Device Manager from the list in the context menu.
Navigate to Bluetooth devices. Click on the arrow to expand the list, and find your Bluetooth adapter. Now right-click the adapter and select Enable device. If Bluetooth disappears from the list, then you may need to restart your computer. Then, follow one of the first two steps to turn on your Bluetooth.
How to Pair a New Bluetooth Device With Windows 11
Once you’ve figured out how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11, you’ll need to pair your Bluetooth device with your PC to start using it. Pairing a new Bluetooth device with Windows 11 is easy.
Start by opening up the Settings app. Click the Bluetooth & Other Devices tab. Next, click on the Add device button above the Bluetooth toggle switch.
On the Add a device window, click on Bluetooth, and let the computer scan for nearby devices. If your device is not in pairing mode, then disconnect it from any other device it may be paired with and put it in pairing mode.
Once your Bluetooth device shows up on the list, click on it and let it connect. If you’re using a device like a smartphone, you may need to enter a PIN on the device you’re connecting to. Otherwise, for devices like headphones and speakers, if it brings up a PIN for you to pair the device with, simply click Connect, and it should connect to your device automatically.
Once your device is connected, click Done, and you’re all set!
