Where and How to Use Bluetooth Settings in Windows 10

Nowadays, there are headphones, speakers, mice, keyboards, etc. that can connect wirelessly to a Windows 10 PC. There are many Bluetooth accessories available. But when a user tries to connect one of them, it gets confused with the Bluetooth settings in Windows 10. And they wonder how the Bluetooth settings work in Windows 10. If you have the same question, this post will guide you through Bluetooth settings. On a Windows 10 desktop or laptop computer and how to use them to connect to a Bluetooth device.

The post will start with knowing if your PC has Bluetooth and then learn how to use Bluetooth on Windows 10 PC. The second consists of three steps – enabling Bluetooth, pairing a Bluetooth device, and connecting the device to your PC. We have covered all of these in this article.

Let’s begin our journey of exploring Bluetooth settings in Windows 10.

How Do You Know If Your Laptop Has Bluetooth?

Before moving on to the settings, you should check if your desktop or laptop supports Bluetooth. Typically, if you have a Windows 10 laptop, it is likely to have Bluetooth service. But if you have a desktop PC, only a few of them offer built-in Bluetooth.

Like any other component in your PC, Bluetooth requires both hardware (adapter) and software to work. So, if you don’t have a Bluetooth adapter installed on your computer (which we’ll check below), downloading any Bluetooth software won’t help unless you buy a USB Bluetooth adapter or dongle. Check out the best Bluetooth 5.0 USB adapters you can use with a Windows 10 PC.

Note: You cannot get Bluetooth to your PC without a built-in or external Bluetooth adapter.

Here’s how to check the availability of a built-in Bluetooth adapter.

Where is the Bluetooth Driver/Adapter in Windows 10?

Stage 1: Right-click the Start Menu icon and select Device Manager from the list.

Step 2: When Device Manager opens, you should see the Bluetooth option. If it does, it means that a Bluetooth adapter is available on your computer. If not available, look under Network adapter. You will see the Bluetooth Device.

Fly: If the Bluetooth device is showing an error icon next to it, you need to update or uninstall the Bluetooth driver for it to work properly. Check out our guide on how to properly update drivers on Windows 10 computers.

Stage 3: There is still a possibility that your device supports Bluetooth. To verify, click the View tab in Device Manager and select Show hidden devices. Search for Bluetooth again. If it shows an error, update the Bluetooth driver.

In case Bluetooth is not in Device Manager, you should try various troubleshooting ways to get Bluetooth to show up in Device Manager. If, after trying everything, nothing appears, it’s time to realize that your computer does not support built-in Bluetooth.

How to Use Bluetooth in Windows 10

To use Bluetooth on your Windows 10 desktop or laptop, you must first enable it. After that, you can use it as speaker, your phone, etc. You can connect it to a Bluetooth device such as Activation is the first step to using Bluetooth, then you can pair and connect your device. Let’s check out all three steps.

1. How to Enable or Disable Bluetooth in Windows 10

There are two methods to enable or disable Bluetooth in Windows 10.

Method 1: Enable Bluetooth from Settings

Open Windows 10 Settings from the Start Menu or use the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings. Go to Devices.

Click on Bluetooth and other devices. You will see a toggle under Bluetooth. Click the toggle button to turn on Bluetooth. Use the same toggle to turn off Bluetooth at any time. Here you will find various other Bluetooth settings discussed below.

Note: If you do not see the Bluetooth toggle, your computer does not support Bluetooth or the Bluetooth driver is not installed correctly. Open Device Manager and fix problems with Bluetooth.

Method 2: Enable Bluetooth from Action Center

Using the above method to enable or disable Bluetooth can be a bit fussy. There is an alternative way to turn Bluetooth on or off without going to windows settings.

You will need help from the Action Center for this. It is the quick settings panel accessible from the lower right corner of your desktop. Click the icon to open the Action Center. Here you will see the Bluetooth option. Click on it to open. Blue color means the setting is on. If Bluetooth isn’t showing up in the Action Center, learn how to customize the various options in it and get Bluetooth to show up there.

Fly: Use the Windows key + A keyboard shortcut to open the Action Center.

2. Pairing a Bluetooth Device with a Windows PC

After enabling Bluetooth, you cannot use other Bluetooth devices directly with your computer. You need to match them first. Only paired devices will be able to connect.

So phone, Bluetooth headset, etc. Put your device in pairing mode. Then open Bluetooth Settings on your PC from Settings > Bluetooth and other devices. Turn on the toggle for Bluetooth. Then click Add Bluetooth or other devices.

Select the type of Bluetooth device you want to add. In my case, Bluetooth audio. So I will go with the first option, namely Bluetooth.

Your Bluetooth device will appear if it is in pairing mode. Click on it to connect.

Note: On some devices you will be asked to verify the PIN.

A confirmation screen will appear when the device is successfully connected. Click the Done button to close the window. Similarly, you can pair other devices with your Windows 10 PC.

3. Use Bluetooth Device with Windows 10 PC

Pairing is a one-time operation. Once a device is paired, it will automatically connect to your PC when Bluetooth is enabled. If that doesn’t happen, you can manually click the Connect button under your Bluetooth device in your computer’s Bluetooth settings.

Alternatively, click Connect in the Action Center. Your Bluetooth devices will appear. Click Connect for the device.

Fly: Use the Remove device button to unpair a Bluetooth device from your computer.

After your Bluetooth device is successfully connected to your computer, you can start using it depending on the type. Bluetooth speakers, headphones, etc. Windows automatically recognizes them and uses them as the default option. Therefore, if a Bluetooth headset is connected, the audio will automatically be routed through it.

If you connect to a device such as a phone to which you can transfer files, you need to open the File Transfer panel on your computer. To do this, go to Windows Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. At the bottom or right side you will find the option to send or receive files via Bluetooth. Click on it.

Click on Send or Receive Files according to your need. If you choose to receive it, you will be prompted to choose the download location for your Bluetooth files.

Fly: If you’ve already sent a file via Bluetooth and don’t remember the download location, submit another test file to find the location of the Bluetooth folder.

Fly: If Windows 10 is not receiving files sent via Bluetooth, check out various ways to fix the problem.

Troubleshooting: Bluetooth Not Working on Windows 10 PC

The three steps above provide a basic way to connect any Bluetooth device to your Windows 10 computer. However, you may encounter some problems. For example, you will not be able to connect to a Bluetooth device. If this happens, check various ways to fix it. Similarly, sometimes your Bluetooth headset has no sound or the Bluetooth microphone does not work. Check various solutions offered by Microsoft to fix Bluetooth not working issue.

No More Bluetooth Blues

Keeping Bluetooth enabled makes it easy to connect to your Bluetooth devices. However, Bluetooth may interfere with other network connections. Therefore, it is recommended to keep it closed if you do not use it often.

Next: Enhance your Windows 10 experience with these great tips and tricks. Check out 19 great tips for Windows 10 computer from the next link.