How to Connect Your Bluetooth Devices to a PC

Download Article

Plus, how to add Bluetooth to a PC that doesn't have it

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: February 17, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Does my PC have Bluetooth?
|
• Connecting on Windows 11
|
• Connecting on Windows 10
|
• Connecting on Windows 8.1
|
• Connecting on Windows 7/Vista
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

If you need to connect a Bluetooth device to your PC–like a headset, keyboard, mouse, speakers, or smartphone–you'll need to turn on Bluetooth and then pair the device. The steps are easy if your PC has Bluetooth support, but what if your computer doesn't have Bluetooth? This wikiHow guide will teach you how to add Bluetooth to your PC if you don't have it, and how to connect Bluetooth devices in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, and Vista.

Adding Bluetooth to a PC: Fast Facts

• To see if your PC has Bluetooth, right-click the Start menu, select Device Manager, and expand the Bluetooth menu. If any devices are listed, you have Bluetooth.
• If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth, you can add Bluetooth to your computer by plugging in a USB Bluetooth adapter.
• To connect a device, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, turn on Bluetooth, and click + Add. Go to Bluetooth > Show all devices and select a device to pair.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Does my PC have Bluetooth?

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Most modern PCs have Bluetooth, but not all of them. Here's how to check if your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC has Bluetooth:

   • Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.
   • Expand the Bluetooth menu (if present).
   • If you see any devices in this menu, your computer has Bluetooth.
2. 
   2
   Add Bluetooth to your PC. If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth, it's pretty easy to add Bluetooth support:

   • The easiest option, which will work for both laptop and desktop PCs, is to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, which you can find on Amazon and in person at many retailers. Just plug the adapter into a USB port on your PC, and you'll be able to connect Bluetooth devices.
     • These devices are also called "Bluetooth dongles."
   • If you are using a desktop PC, you can install a Bluetooth PCIe card. These cards typically also have Wi-Fi adapters built in, which could come in handy if your PC doesn't already support Wi-Fi.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 5:

Connecting Bluetooth Devices on Windows 11

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open your Windows Settings. A quick way to do this is to press the Windows key + i on the keyboard. You can also right-click the Start menu and select Settings, or click the gear icon in the Start menu.
2. 
   2
   Click Bluetooth & devices. You will see this option in the left panel.
3. 
   3
   Click the "Bluetooth" switch to turn on Bluetooth. If the switch is already in the ON position, just skip to the next step.

   • Leave this window open, as you'll need it in a moment.
4. 
   4
   Turn on the Bluetooth device you want to connect. For example, if you're connecting a Bluetooth headset, insert batteries (if needed) and power it on.

   • The latest versions of Bluetooth can connect to devices up to 33 ft. away. However, bringing the Bluetooth device closer to your PC will usually help when pairing.
5. 
   5
   Make the Bluetooth accessory discoverable. When a device is "discoverable," your PC will be able to find it and make a connection. Sometimes, just turning on a device will immediately put it into discovery mode. For other devices, you'll have to press a button or a combination of buttons.

   • You'll usually see a blinking LED indicator somewhere on the device once it's discoverable.
6. 
   6
   Click + Add at the top of your Bluetooth settings. This opens the Add a device menu.
7. 
   7
   Select Bluetooth. Windows will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices to connect to.
8. 
   8
   Click Show all devices. This displays a list of all nearby Bluetooth devices that are discoverable.
9. 
   9
   Click the Bluetooth device you want to connect. Depending on the device, this may instantly connect it to your PC. Sometimes you'll have to enter a code that appears on the device. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to continue pairing.

   • If the device doesn't appear, try powering it off and on again.
10. 
    10
    Connect faster in the future. Once you've added a Bluetooth device to your PC, Windows will remember it and, usually, connect to it automatically when it's discoverable. If Windows doesn't connect to the device automatically, click the Media icons (usually the Wi-Fi icon and volume icon) at the bottom-right corner of the screen, then click the right-pointing arrow next to Bluetooth. You will see nearby discoverable devices–just click the one you want to connect to.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 5:

Connecting Bluetooth Devices on Windows 10

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Turn on the Bluetooth device. If you want to connect a Bluetooth headset, speakers, or some other type of Bluetooth accessory to your Windows PC, begin by turning that device on.

   • Depending on the device you're connecting to via Bluetooth, you may have to insert batteries first.

   Note: The weakest variety of Bluetooth (Bluetooth 1.0) can connect to devices up to 33 feet away. Bluetooth 2.0 increases that range to 100 feet. Bluetooth 3.0 still has a 100-foot limit, but Bluetooth 4.0 can work with up to 200 feet of distance. If your devices are Bluetooth 5, you'll have up to 800 feet of leeway.
2. 
   2
   Make the Bluetooth accessory discoverable. When a device is "discoverable," your PC will be able to find it and make a connection. Usually, turning on a device will immediately put it into discovery mode. Sometimes you'll have to press a button (or combination of buttons) to make it discoverable.

   • You'll usually see a blinking LED indicator somewhere on the device once it's discoverable.
3. 
   3
   Click the Action Center icon. It's the squared-off chat bubble icon to the right of the clock in the taskbar.

   • If you have active notifications, you'll see a number on the Action Center icon.
4. 
   4
   Click the Bluetooth icon to toggle it on. It looks like a sideways bowtie. When Bluetooth is turned on, the tile will turn a different color and either say "Not connected" or display a device name. When Bluetooth is off, the tile will just say "Bluetooth" and be gray.

   • If you've already paired the Bluetooth device with your PC, it may automatically connect to your PC.
5. 
   5
   Click the Connect tile. It should be right below the Bluetooth icon. Look for the computer monitor icon with an overlapping phone or tablet. Your PC will now scan for available Bluetooth devices in range.
6. 
   6
   Click your Bluetooth device. The device may have a descriptive name that makes it easy to identify, but sometimes it'll be a more obscure set of letters and/or numbers. You can find out the name for sure by checking the Bluetooth device's manual. This will pair the device with your PC.

   • Sometimes you'll have to enter a code that appears on the device. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to continue pairing.
   • If the device doesn't appear, try powering it off and on again.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 5:

Connecting Bluetooth Devices on Windows 8.1

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Turn on the Bluetooth device. If you want to connect a Bluetooth headset, speakers, or some other accessory to your Windows 10 PC, begin by turning it on.

   • The weakest variety of Bluetooth (Bluetooth 1.0) can connect to devices up to 33 feet away. Bluetooth 2.0 increases that range to 100 feet. Bluetooth 3.0 still has a 100-foot limit, but Bluetooth 4.0 can work with up to 200 feet of distance. If your devices are Bluetooth 5, you'll have up to 800 feet of leeway.
2. 
   2
   Make the Bluetooth accessory discoverable. When a device is "discoverable," your PC will be able to find it and make a connection. Usually, turning on a device will immediately put it into discovery mode. Sometimes you'll have to press a button (or a combination of buttons) to make it discoverable.

   • You'll usually see a blinking LED indicator somewhere on the device once it's discoverable.
3. 
   3
   Click the Start button and type bluetooth into the search bar. A list of matching search results will appear.
4. 
   4
   Click Bluetooth settings in the search results.
5. 
   5
   Slide the "Bluetooth" slider to the On (blue) position. As long as this switch is blue, your PC is discoverable and can connect to other Bluetooth devices. Windows will now scan for discoverable Bluetooth devices and display them in a list.
6. 
   6
   Click the Bluetooth device. The device may have a descriptive name that makes it easy to identify, but sometimes it'll be a more obscure set of letters and/or numbers. You can find out the name for sure by checking the Bluetooth device's manual.
7. 
   7
   Click Pair. This will pair the Bluetooth device with your PC.

   • Sometimes you'll have to enter a code that appears on the device. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to continue pairing.
   • If the device doesn't appear, try powering it off and on again.
Advertisement

Section 5 of 5:

Connecting Bluetooth Devices on Windows 7 and Vista

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Turn on the Bluetooth device. If you want to connect a Bluetooth headset, speakers, or some other accessory to your Windows 10 PC, begin by turning it on.

   • The weakest variety of Bluetooth (Bluetooth 1.0) can connect to devices up to 33 feet away. Bluetooth 2.0 increases that range to 100 feet. Bluetooth 3.0 still has a 100-foot limit, but Bluetooth 4.0 can work with up to 200 feet of distance. If your devices are Bluetooth 5, you'll have up to 800 feet of leeway.
   • If your computer doesn't support Bluetooth, you can add support using a USB Bluetooth adapter. Just connect the adapter to the computer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
2. 
   2
   Make the Bluetooth accessory discoverable. When a device is "discoverable," your PC will be able to find it and make a connection. Usually, turning on a device will immediately put it into discovery mode. Sometimes you'll have to press a button (or a combination of buttons) to make it discoverable.

   • You'll usually see a blinking LED indicator somewhere on the device once it's discoverable.
3. 
   3
   Open your PC's Control Panel. You can do so by clicking the Start menu and selecting Control Panel.
4. 
   4
   Click Add a device under "Hardware and Sound." It's on the right side of the Control Panel window. This opens the Add a Device wizard, which will automatically attempt to search for available Bluetooth devices.

   Note: If you don't see this option, return to the Start menu and select Devices and Printers and click Add a device there.
5. 
   5
   Click the device and select Next. The device may have a descriptive name that makes it easy to identify, but sometimes it'll be a more obscure set of letters and/or numbers. You can find out the name for sure by checking the Bluetooth device's manual. This will pair the device with your PC.

   • Sometimes you'll have to enter a code that appears on the device. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to continue pairing.
   • If the device doesn't appear, try powering it off and on again.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!