How to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10? A detailed guide

Bluetooth is a technology that has become a permanent part of our everyday lives. The ability to wirelessly connect various devices undeniably increases the level of comfort. It is a much better solution than constantly using cables, and the fairly high transmission speed, low power consumption, and range of up to several meters contribute to the huge market success of Bluetooth technology.

Thanks to this technology, we can connect and control many types of equipment. These include, among others:

• wireless headphones and speakers, as well as car audio systems,

• various smart home elements (for example, LED lighting),

• printers,

• remote controls for devices (for example, Chromecast),

• popular smartwatches,

• gaming controllers (for example, gamepads),

• surveillance cameras.

These are of course just examples of many types of equipment equipped with a Bluetooth module. The ways to use these solutions are as numerous as human creativity allows. The technology itself was created back in the 1990s, but it was only at the beginning of the 21st century that Bluetooth became widespread. A good example of this expansion is the complete replacement of the infrared module (IRda) in phones – Bluetooth proved to be a faster and more convenient solution.

This technology can also often be found in computers – both desktops (PC) and laptops. Importantly, not all devices come factory-equipped with this functionality. How to check if a given device has a Bluetooth module? If the system installed on the disk is Windows 10 or 11, it can be done easily regardless of the device type.

How to check if a computer has Bluetooth?

The simplest way is to use the Device Manager, a built-in function that lists all components comprising the computer. In the Start menu, just type Device Manager and then click the appearing icon.

If the computer has Bluetooth, there will be a separate section for it in Device Manager. This is how it looks on a PC with a motherboard.

This is how it looks on the Dell Vostro 15 3510 laptop.

There may be a situation where the computer is equipped with Bluetooth, but the module was previously disabled in the BIOS – in that case, Bluetooth will not appear in the above view despite the physical presence of this functionality. In laptops, the characteristic Bluetooth logo is often on a sticker on the case – if it is present but Device Manager is silent about it, it’s worth entering the BIOS to personally check the situation. Usually, this can be done by pressing the F2 or delete key when starting the computer. The exact procedure depends on the specific motherboard model.

Whether a desktop computer has Bluetooth can, of course, be modified. If the PC motherboard does not include such a module, it is enough to buy a Bluetooth adapter costing a few dozen zlotys – the desktop computer will connect to the adapter via USB port.

How to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10? Instructions

The answer to the question of how to turn on Bluetooth on a laptop and how to turn on Bluetooth on a PC is the same as long as both devices run Windows. So how to enable the Bluetooth function in Windows 10? Just go to the Start menu, then type and open Settings, and then Devices. At the top of the panel on the left side there is the Bluetooth and other devices section.

Just click the switch to turn Bluetooth on or off.

You can also add an external device here (for example, headphones) to pair it with the computer. Clicking the notifications icon (bottom right corner of the system tray) also allows you to turn Bluetooth on and off.

In Windows 11, the procedure is slightly different, but it is based on the same principle. After entering Settings from the Start menu, in the panel on the left, click Bluetooth and devices.

Clicking the connections icon in the right corner of the bottom bar (where the Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and sound icons are) also allows you to turn Bluetooth on or off. It is the second middle button in the top row, to the right of Wi-Fi.

You can also see saved devices there.

It is worth remembering that to ensure the highest comfort of use and reliability, you should purchase a legal Windows system from a good source. Such products can be found in the offer of Key-Soft.pl store, where you can buy keys for various versions of the system with full manufacturer support. Use it today!

FAQ – most frequently asked questions about Bluetooth and Windows 10

Does Windows support Bluetooth?

Yes, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 are natively equipped to support the Bluetooth module and usually do not require any additional drivers or other actions from the user.

Which version of Bluetooth is the best?

Currently, the latest version of Bluetooth is 5.3, which introduced several improvements over its predecessor. From a user’s perspective, there is no need to worry about different versions. Each Bluetooth edition is backward compatible, which means that two devices supporting two different standards (for example, 5.2 and 4.1) can be connected without any problem.

Does the instruction on how to turn on Bluetooth differ depending on the system version?

Yes, however, managing the Bluetooth module takes only a few seconds in both Windows 10 and 11.