Turn on Bluetooth Using the Quick Settings Menu
The fastest way to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11 is by using the Quick Settings menu. To access it, click the set of indicator icons located just to the left of the date and time in your taskbar.
After clicking this hidden button, the Quick Settings menu will appear. Click the Bluetooth icon, which looks like a stylized “B” with sharp angles.
(If you don’t see the Bluetooth button or icon listed in Quick Settings, click the pencil icon. Then click “Add,” and then select “Bluetooth” from the list.)
After you click, the button will change color, and Bluetooth will be enabled. To make a connection, right-click the Bluetooth button and select “Go to Settings.”
After that, skip to the Adding a Bluetooth Device to Windows 11 section below.
Turn on Bluetooth Using Windows Settings
You can also enable Bluetooth from Windows Settings. To do so, launch Settings by pressing Windows+i on your keyboard or by searching for “settings” in the Start menu.
In Settings, click “Bluetooth & Devices” in the sidebar.
In Bluetooth settings, flip the switch beside “Bluetooth” into the “On” position.
After that, you’re ready to make your first connection, which we’ll cover in the section below.
Adding a Bluetooth Device to Windows 11
Now that you’ve navigated to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices (thanks to either one of the two sections above), it’s time to connect a peripheral to your Windows 11 PC using Bluetooth.
In “Bluetooth & Devices,” click the large “Add Device” button with a plus (“+”) on it near the top of the Settings window.
In the “Add a Device” window that pops up, click “Bluetooth.”
Next, make sure that the device you’re trying to connect is powered on and in pairing mode. The instructions on how to do that vary by device, so consult the device’s manual.
Windows will enter discovery mode and continuously keep searching for devices that are in pairing mode. When it finds them, they will appear in a list within the pop-up window. When you see the device that you want to connect to, click its name in the list.
If the device is a mouse, game controller, or headset, it should connect automatically. If it’s a keyboard, Windows 11 might show you a passcode. If so, type that passcode on the Bluetooth keyboard that you’re trying to connect.
When you see the “Your device is ready to go” message, your Bluetooth device has been connected to your PC. Click “Done.”
After that, close Settings, and you’re good to go.
Note that the Bluetooth devices you connect to Windows 11 stay linked to your PC unless you pair them with a different PC, smartphone, or tablet later. This means that usually, you won’t have to repeatedly pair your Bluetooth device every time you want to use it.
After a time, most Bluetooth devices power down automatically to save battery life. To continue where you left off, either power the Bluetooth device up (if it has a power button) or press a button on a keyboard or mouse, and it should automatically turn on and reconnect with your PC.
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