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Learn how to turn on and off Bluetooth in Windows 11, pair Bluetooth devices, update the Bluetooth drivers, and more.
The latest Windows 11 operating system has Bluetooth built-in and this has made it easier to connect to Bluetooth devices like keyboards, mice, headsets, and speakers.
The new Windows 11 also has improved support for wireless connections which can be seen as a useful addition to the operating system.
Bluetooth is a lot more convenient because it doesn’t require any cables or wires. You just need to be in the range of the device and you can connect with it wirelessly.
Let’s see how to set up the Bluetooth connection on your Windows 11 laptops.
Bluetooth in Windows 11: Definitive Guide
How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 11
There are two easy ways to turn Bluetooth on and off on Windows 11:
Option 1: On the taskbar, click the Network icon and select the Bluetooth quick setting. Then, turn it on/off.
Note: The Bluetooth quick setting on the taskbar will appear when Windows notices that there is a Bluetooth adapter in your computer.
Option 2: Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices, and then turn Bluetooth on or off.
How to Pair Your Windows 11 with a Bluetooth Device
Pairing your Windows computer with Bluetooth devices such as a printer, scanner, keyboard, mouse, speaker, and others, you can connect and control those devices wirelessly.
Basically, there are three ways to pair your computer depending on the Bluetooth devices you want to connect to.
Method 1: Pairing with a Bluetooth device
Use this method if you want to pair your Windows PC with a Bluetooth speaker, keyboard, mouse, and more.
1. Turn on the Bluetooth both on your Windows computer and the device and make the device visible.
Each manufacturer has a different way to make the Bluetooth on your device discoverable. Visit the official website for more details.
2. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth.
3. Select the Bluetooth device and follow the instructions to complete the pairing. Then, click OK or Done.
Some devices might require you to insert or match a generated passcode.
Method 2: Pairing with a Bluetooth printer or scanner
1. Turn on the Bluetooth both on your Windows computer and the printer or scanner and make sure the device is visible.
2. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device.
3. Windows will try to find the printer or scanner. Then, select it and click Add device.
4. Try to print a document.
Check the troubleshooting section below if you’re having trouble pairing your printer or scanner with your Windows laptop or computer.
Method 3: Pairing with a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
Swift Pair in Windows 11 allows you to quickly pair a Bluetooth device with your computer. If the Bluetooth device supports Swift Pair, you’ll get a notification when it’s nearby and you can pair it to make it discoverable.
To use Swift Pair, you must enable the feature. Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and check Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair.
After that, you can try to pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair.
Follow the instructions below:
1. Turn on the Bluetooth device that supports Swift Pair.
2. If prompted, click Yes.
3. When there is a notification saying your Bluetooth device is found, click Connect.
Some of the devices that support Swift Pair are:
- Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard
- Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse
- Surface Ergonomic Keyboard
- Surface Precision Mouse
- Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse
- Surface Mobile Mouse
- Microsoft Arc Mouse
- Surface Arc Mouse
- Surface Headphones
- Surface Earbuds
- Samsung Galaxy Buds
The list is indeed growing in the future.
When you pair your Windows 11 PC or laptop with a Bluetooth device, they will automatically connect the next time you turn on their Bluetooth when they are within range.
How to Send Files Over Bluetooth in Windows 11
Once you have paired your Windows laptop with a phone or tablet, you can share photos, documents, videos, and other files.
1. Turn on Bluetooth in your Windows 11 laptop and your phone or tablet. Then, pair them.
2. On your Windows laptop, click Start and type settings.
3. Select Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
4. In Devices settings, click Send or receive files via Bluetooth.
5. Go to Bluetooth File Transfer > Send Files > choose the device > Next.
6. Click Browse > Find the files > Open > Next, and the files will be sent.
On the other device, press Accept to receive the files.
7. Click Finish once the sending process is complete.
How to Receive Files Over Bluetooth in Windows 11
It is possible to receive photos, documents, videos, and other files sent to your Windows laptop via Bluetooth from other devices such as a laptop, phone, or tablet.
Here’s what you need to do to receive the files:
1. Turn on the Bluetooth on your computer and your other device. Then, pair them.
2. On your Windows laptop, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Send or receive files via Bluetooth > Receive files.
3. Send the files you want to share from the other device.
4. On your laptop, on the Save the received file window, choose the location to save the files.
5. Click Finish when the transfer is complete.
How to Find More Bluetooth Settings in Windows 11
1. Click the Search icon on the taskbar and type settings.
2. Select Settings from the list of results and go to Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
3. Under Related settings, click More Bluetooth settings.
Note: If there is no Bluetooth toggle in Bluetooth & other devices settings, it means your computer doesn’t have Bluetooth or the hardware is not detected.
Fix Bluetooth Issues in Windows 11
If you have a problem with your Bluetooth connection, try the following troubleshooting to fix it.
Step 1: Restart your PC
If your Bluetooth connection is having a problem, try to restart your PC to refresh the Windows OS.
After that, try to connect Bluetooth to your device again.
Step 2: Turn on and off Bluetooth
Some laptops have a physical button to turn on and off Bluetooth. If your laptop has this button, make sure that it’s switched on.
You can also try to turn on and off Bluetooth several times using the methods we shared at the beginning of the article.
Step 3: Remove and re-pair the Bluetooth device
If the Bluetooth in your computer is on but it still cannot connect to the Bluetooth device, try to remove the device from your computer.
To remove the Bluetooth device, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Device > More options (three dots) and select the device that you want to remove. Then, click Remove device > Yes.
After that, you can try to re-pair the Bluetooth device to your Windows laptop.
Step 4: Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Windows 11 provides a Bluetooth troubleshooter to help you fix problems with Bluetooth.
To run the Bluetooth troubleshooter, here’s what you need to do:
1. Click Search on the taskbar and type settings.
2. Choose Settings from the list of results.
3. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
4. Next to Bluetooth, click Run.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Once the Bluetooth troubleshooter is finished, try to connect your laptop to your device.
Step 5: Update the Bluetooth adapter driver
After upgrading to Windows 11, have you updated your drivers?
The current drivers may support the earlier version of Windows. Thus, you need to update your drivers to the latest version because an outdated or unsupported driver can cause compatibility issues like Bluetooth.
There are two ways to update the Bluetooth driver: automatically and manually.
Method 1: Automatic update
1. Right-click the empty space on your taskbar and select Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, select Bluetooth and choose the Bluetooth adapter.
3. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and choose Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
4. Follow the instructions you see on your screen and click Close.
5. Restart your computer.
Method 2: Manual update
If your computer cannot find the Bluetooth driver update, go to your computer manufacturer’s website and download the driver from there.
If you get an executable (.exe) file, double-click the file to install the driver.
On the other hand, if the Bluetooth driver is in individual files like .inf and .sys, here’s what you need to do:
1. Right-click the empty space on your taskbar and select Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, select Bluetooth and choose the Bluetooth adapter.
3. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
4. Click Browse and find the Bluetooth driver files that you have just downloaded and click OK.
5. Follow the installation and click Close when it’s complete.
6. Restart your PC.
Step 6: Check the Bluetooth card
If you keep facing issues with your Bluetooth after following the steps above, it’s time to check the Bluetooth card on your computer.
It might be that the hardware needs to be replaced. And to do this, you’ll need professional assistance. You can bring your computer to the nearest Windows service in your place for further diagnosis.
Final Words
Those were the guide to using Bluetooth on your Windows 11 laptop. You can learn how to turn on and off Bluetooth in Windows 11, pair with other Bluetooth devices, send or receive files, and more.
Hopefully, it helps you understand how to operate the Bluetooth connection in your computer as well as fix the issues.
Do you have other tips or tricks with the Bluetooth connection in your Windows 11 computer? Write them in the comment box below.
Read Other Windows 11 Tips:
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