Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows

After checking that the Windows device supports Bluetooth, Bluetooth needs to be turned on. Here's how:

In Settings:

To turn on Bluetooth in Settings :

1. On the Windows device, right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > Devices .
   
   Or
   
   Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut:
   
   Open Bluetooth & other devices

2. In the Bluetooth & other devices window, under Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is switched On.

In Action center:

Action center ( or ) can be found next to the time and date on the taskbar. If the taskbar is at the bottom of the screen, it's just to the right of the time and date.

1. On the taskbar, select the action center icon ( or ).

2. Select the Bluetooth tile to toggle Bluetooth on and off. If the Bluetooth tile isn't visible, select Expand above the tiles.

   • If Bluetooth is turned off, the tile isn't highlighted and might say Off.

   • If Bluetooth is turned on, the tile is highlighted and says Connected, Not connected, or shows the device it's connected to via Bluetooth.

If the Bluetooth tile isn't in action center even after selecting Expand, here's how to add it:

1. On the Windows device, right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > System > Notifications & actions .
   
   Or
   
   Select the following Notifications & actions shortcut:
   
   Open Notifications & actions

2. In the Notifications & actions window, under Quick actions, select Edit your quick actions.

3. In the side pane that opens, select Add and then select Bluetooth .

4. If desired, arrange the newly added Bluetooth tile to its desired location.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth device and make it discoverable. The way to make the Bluetooth device discoverable depends on the device. To learn how to make the Bluetooth device discoverable, check the device's documentation or visit the manufacturer's website.

2. On the Windows device, right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices .
   
   Or
   
   Select the following Bluetooth & other devices shortcut:
   
   Open Bluetooth & other devices

3. In the Bluetooth & other devices window, select Add Bluetooth or other device .

4. In the Add a device window that appears, select Bluetooth.

5. Windows populates the Add a device window with the currently discoverable Bluetooth devices. Select the desired Bluetooth device and follow any additional instructions if they appear.

6. Once the Bluetooth device is paired successfully, select the Done button.

When Bluetooth is turned on, the Bluetooth device and the Windows device automatically connect anytime the two devices are in range of each other.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth printer or scanner and make it discoverable. The way to make the Bluetooth printer or scanner discoverable depends on the device. To learn how to make the Bluetooth printer or scanner discoverable, check the device's documentation or visit the manufacturer's website.

2. On the Windows device, right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners .
   
   Or
   
   Select the following Printers & scanners shortcut:
   
   Open Printers & scanners

3. In the Printers & scanners window, under Add printers or scanners, select the Add a printer or scanner .

4. Windows searches for and then displays any local printers or scanners it finds. This process might take a few minutes.

5. Once the printers or scanners are found, select the desired printer or scanner, and then select the Add device button.

For installation issues with printers or scanners, see either Fix printer problems or Install and use a scanner in Windows 10.

Swift Pair in Windows allows a supported Bluetooth device to be quickly paired with a Windows device. If the Bluetooth device supports Swift Pair, a notification is displayed in Windows when:

• The Bluetooth device is nearby.

• It's in pairing mode and discoverable.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth device that supports Swift Pair and make it discoverable. The way to make the Bluetooth device discoverable depends on the device. To learn how to make the Bluetooth device discoverable, check the device's documentation or visit the manufacturer's website.

2. If it's the device's first time using Swift Pair, a notification appears asking to allow the use of Swift Pair. Select Yes to use Swift Pair.

3. When a notification appears that a new Bluetooth device was found, select Connect.

4. After the Bluetooth device connects, select Close.