How to Get Help with Bluetooth in Windows 11 with tips to fix bluetooth problems like Pair a Bluetooth device, Fix Bluetooth problems & Send files over Bluetooth Windows 11.
How to Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows 11
In Windows 11, you can pair all kinds of Bluetooth devices with your PC including keyboards, mice, phones, speakers & more. But your PC needs to have Bluetooth. If doesn’t, you can plug a USB Bluetooth adapter on your PC to get it. You know, some PCs, such as laptops and tablets, have Bluetooth built in.
Before begin, make sure that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth. To adding a device without Bluetooth capabilities, you need Add a device to a Windows PC.
Windows 11 usually finds devices automatically when you plug them in or turn them on. If it doesn’t, follow these steps:
- Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
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Select Add Bluetooth or other device and follow the instructions.
How to Turn on Bluetooth
After you’ve checked that your Windows 11 PC supports Bluetooth, you’ll need to turn it:
- Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices, and then turn on Bluetooth.
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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. Follow steps below:
- Start > Settings.
- Go to System > Notifications.
Do any of the following:
- Turn notifications, banners, and sounds on or off for some or all notification senders.
- Turn tips and suggestions about Windows On or Off.
To add or remove quick settings:
- Select the battery, network, or volume icon to open the quick settings panel.
- Right-click on the quick settings panel and select Edit quick settings.
- Select the Add button to add a quick setting or press the pin icon to remove.
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You can also press and hold (or select) any quick settings, then drag to rearrange them.
How to pair a Bluetooth device
- 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.
- Start > Settings > Bluetooth &devices > Add device > Bluetooth.
- 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.
How to pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
- 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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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.
How to pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
Swift Pair in Windows 11 can pair a supported Bluetooth device with your PC quickly. So 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.
- 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.
- 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.
How to Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 11
When you get problems trying to connect to a Bluetooth device, here are some troubleshooting steps to try.
Before you start
Check again these things before you start troubleshooting Bluetooth on your device.
Check your product information
When you setting up a new device and Bluetooth is missing, check the product specifications to make sure it has Bluetooth capabilities because some devices don’t have Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on
If you’re using a laptop with a physical Bluetooth switch on the body, make sure it’s switched on.
There are two ways to check if Bluetooth is turned on in Windows 11:
- Check in the taskbar. Select the Network icon on the right side of the taskbar, look for the Bluetooth quick setting, then select Bluetooth to turn it on. You’ll see “Not connected” if your Windows 11 device isn’t paired to any Bluetooth accessories.
- Check in Settings. Select the Start button > Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Check your Bluetooth device
Please make sure your Bluetooth device is turned on, is charged or has fresh batteries, and is in range of your PC. Then, try the following:
- Turn off your Bluetooth device, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Make sure your Bluetooth device is in range. If your Bluetooth device is unresponsive or sluggish, check to make sure it’s not too close to any other USB device that’s plugged into a USB 3.0 port. Unshielded USB devices can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connections.
Check your PC
On the PC you want to pair to:
- Make sure airplane mode is off: Select the Network icon on the right side of the taskbar, then make sure the Airplane mode quick setting is turned off.
- Turn Bluetooth on and off: Select Start , then type settings. Select Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Turn off Bluetooth, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: Select Start, then enter settings. Select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices. In Devices, select More options (the three vertical dots) for the Bluetooth device you’re having problems connecting to, and then select Remove device > Yes.
When Bluetooth doesn’t work or the Bluetooth icon is missing
Try these steps if your Bluetooth isn’t working to fix problems:
- The Bluetooth icon is missing or Bluetooth can’t be turned on or off.
- Bluetooth doesn’t work after a Windows update is installed.
- Bluetooth doesn’t work after you upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.
- Bluetooth doesn’t appear in Device Manager, and there are no unknown devices listed.
Other tips to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 11
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Next to Bluetooth, select Run and follow the instructions.
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Automatically check for driver updates:
- Select Search on the taskbar, search for Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
- In Device Manager, select Bluetooth, and then select the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word “radio.”
- Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter, and then select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the steps, then select Close.
- After installing the updated driver, select the Start button, select Power > Restart if you’re prompted to restart, and then check whether that fixes the connection issue.
If Windows can’t find a new Bluetooth driver, visit the PC manufacturer’s
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Uninstall & Reinstall the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager:
- Select Search on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the results.
- In Device Manager, select Bluetooth. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter name (which may include the word “radio”), and select Uninstall device > Uninstall.
- Select Start, then select Power > Shut down.
- After your device shuts down, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.
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If Windows doesn’t reinstall the driver automatically, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
See also: How to Get Help with Installation & Updates in Windows 11
How to Send files over Bluetooth in Windows 11
- select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- In Devices settings, select Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
- In Bluetooth File Transfer, select Send files > choose the device you want to share to > Next.
- Select Browse > the file or files to share > Open > Next (which sends it) > Finish.
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On the receiving device, have your friend accept the file.
