Recently, Microsoft released a plethora of new Windows 11 features to Insiders in the Dev channel, which includes a new Bluetooth menu in the Quick Settings panel. We have compiled all the exciting new changes in our Windows 11 upcoming features article for your perusal. But putting that aside, we have noticed that some users are having a hard time figuring out how to enable Bluetooth on Windows 11. So to make things easier, we have come up with this guide on how to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11. On that note, let’s jump straight in and learn how it works.
Turn On Bluetooth on Windows 11 (2022)
We have included four easy ways to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11 in this guide. From the Action Center and Windows Settings to the Control Panel and Device Manager, we have listed all the common methods to enable Bluetooth. Expand the table below and move to any section you want. We also added a dedicated section to help you troubleshoot issues with Bluetooth connectivity on your Windows 11 PC.
Turn on Bluetooth from Action Center on Windows 11
The easiest way to enable Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC is from the newly introduced Action Center. Here’s how it works:
1. To turn on Bluetooth, press the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut “Windows + A“. It will open the Action Center (aka the Quick Settings menu). You can also click on the Quick Settings area at the bottom-right corner of the screen to open the Action Center.
2. Now, click on the “Bluetooth” icon, and it will turn on right away.
How to Pair a New Bluetooth Device on Windows 11
1. If you want to connect to a Bluetooth device, right-click on the “Bluetooth” icon in the Action Center and select “Go to Settings“.
2. Here, you can find all your paired devices. You can also click on “Add device” to connect to a new Bluetooth device.
3. From the pop-up window that appears, click on “Bluetooth” to pair a new device with your Windows 11 PC.
4. Then, click on the name of the device you wish to pair with your PC. Windows 11 will then start the pairing process, and you might need to match the PIN code if you are pairing a smartphone.
5. Once the pairing process is complete, the pop-up windows will show a message saying, “Your device is ready to go!” Then, you need to click the “Done” button and can start using your Bluetooth device.
Turn on Bluetooth from Windows Settings on Windows 11
1. You can directly enable Bluetooth from the Windows Settings as well. Use the “Windows + I” keyboard shortcut to open the Settings.
2. Then, move to “Bluetooth & devices” from the left sidebar and turn on the “Bluetooth” toggle. And that’s it.
3. You can now click on “View more devices” to find a list of your paired devices. In case you want to connect a new Bluetooth accessory, click the “Add device” button. Then, follow the steps described in the section above.
Turn on Bluetooth from Control Panel on Windows 11
If the Bluetooth option is missing from the Action Center, or you can’t find it in Settings, it’s most likely because the Bluetooth device has been disabled on your PC. In such a case, you need to manually turn on Bluetooth from the Control Panel. Here is how to go about it.
1. Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog box. Here, type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.
2. The Network Connections window will now open up. You will find your Bluetooth device listed here. Right-click on it and click “Enable” to make the device functional again. This will turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC. Now, go through the first or second sections above to use Bluetooth.
Turn on Bluetooth from Device Manager on Windows 11
1. Lastly, you can enable Bluetooth from Device Manager as well. Use the “Windows + X” keyboard shortcut to open the Quick Links menu. Here, click on “Device Manager“.
2. The Device Manager window will now open on your Windows 11 PC. Here, expand the “Bluetooth” section and look for your adapter. It will be something on the lines of Realtek, Broadcom, Intel, etc.
3. Right-click on the Bluetooth adapter and select “Enable device“. Now, restart your PC, and Bluetooth will be enabled on your Windows 11 computer.
How to Remove/ Unpair a Bluetooth Device on Windows 11
Now that you know to turn on and pair Bluetooth devices to your computer, let me also teach you how to unpair and remove a device. The process is straightforward, so follow the steps below:
1. Open the Windows Settings via the “Windows + I” keyboard shortcut. Then, navigate to “Bluetooth & devices -> View more devices” to see a list of all the accessories you have paired with your PC.
2. Now, click on the horizontal three-dot icon next to the device you wish to unpair and select the “Remove” option.
3. Windows 11 will then confirm whether you actually want to remove the device, and you need to click “Yes” in the pop-up that appears on your next. And that’s it. You have learned how to unpair a Bluetooth device on Windows 11.
Bluetooth Not Working in Windows 11? Troubleshoot Issues!
Now, we’re also seeing reports that Bluetooth is not working in Windows 11 for some users. In some instances, the Bluetooth icon seems to be missing, while in other cases, users are unable to send or receive files using Bluetooth. If you are facing the same issues and Bluetooth is not working on your Windows 11 PC, don’t worry. We already have an in-depth guide in place to help you troubleshoot annoying Bluetooth issues and get it working again. Follow the step-by-step instructions in the guide linked here.
Enable/ Disable Bluetooth on Windows 11
So these are the four ways you can turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11. I have mentioned two straightforward methods that should work for most users, but if they don’t, you can look at the other two methods. Anyway, that’s all from us. In case Wi-Fi also keeps disconnecting on your Windows 11 computer, go through our detailed tutorial to fix the issue right away. And if you have any questions, let us know in the comments section below.
