How to Activate Bluetooth on Windows 10 (2023)

Are you looking to transfer files via Bluetooth from your mobile phone to your Windows 10 PC but don't know how to activate it? Do you want to connect Bluetooth accessories to your computer but have no idea where to find the settings to enable this technology? Don't worry, we can help you with that. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to activate Bluetooth on Windows 10. It's actually quite simple, so let's get started!

Activating Bluetooth through Settings

To activate Bluetooth on Windows 10 through the system settings, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu button located at the bottom left of the taskbar.
2. Click on the gear icon to open the Settings window.
3. In the Settings window, click on the "Devices" icon.
4. On the left side of the Devices window, make sure that "Bluetooth & other devices" is selected.
5. On the right side of the window, toggle the switch next to "Bluetooth" to turn it on. Once activated, the switch will turn blue and display "On".

After activating Bluetooth, you will see the Bluetooth icon in the notification area of the taskbar, next to the system clock. If you can't see the icon, click on the upward arrow to expand the notification area.

Activating Bluetooth through the Action Center

Alternatively, you can activate Bluetooth on Windows 10 through the Action Center. Here's how:

1. Click on the speech bubble icon located at the bottom right of the taskbar to open the Action Center.
2. In the Action Center, click on the Bluetooth button.

Once Bluetooth is activated, the button will be highlighted, indicating that it is turned on.

Pairing Bluetooth Devices with Windows 10

Now that you have successfully activated Bluetooth on your Windows 10 computer, let's learn how to pair Bluetooth devices with it. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure Bluetooth is also enabled on the device you want to connect to your Windows 10 PC. If you're not sure how to do this, refer to the instructions provided with the device or check out our article on how to activate Bluetooth on various devices.
2. Click on the Start button on the taskbar and go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
3. On the right side of the window, click on the "+" button next to "Add Bluetooth or other device".
4. In the Add a device window, click on "Bluetooth".
5. Wait for your PC to detect the other device. Once it appears in the list, select it and click on the "Connect" button to confirm your intention.

Depending on the device you are trying to pair, you may need to perform an additional step. This could involve entering a PIN code or granting Bluetooth access to the external device.

Once you have successfully paired your Bluetooth devices with Windows 10, they will be listed at the bottom of the Bluetooth settings page, under either "Mouse, keyboard, & pen" or "Other devices", depending on the type of device.

Please note that in addition to the methods described above, you can also use the Bluetooth icon in the notification area of the taskbar to pair a Bluetooth device with Windows. Simply right-click on the Bluetooth icon, select "Add a Bluetooth device" from the menu, and follow the same steps as outlined earlier.

Removing Bluetooth Devices

If you have previously paired a Bluetooth device with your Windows 10 PC and no longer need it, you can easily remove it from the list. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
2. On the right side of the window, locate the Bluetooth device you want to remove under either "Mouse, keyboard, & pen" or "Other devices".
3. Click on the device to select it, and then click on the "Remove" button.
4. Confirm the removal by clicking "Yes".

And there you have it! The Bluetooth device will be removed from the list and will no longer be connected to your Windows 10 PC.

Advanced Settings

Now that you have a clear understanding of how to activate Bluetooth on Windows 10, let's explore some advanced settings that may come in handy. These settings allow you to manage how other Bluetooth devices identify your computer and whether you receive notifications when a new device wants to connect via Bluetooth.

To access and manage these settings, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button on the taskbar and go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the right side of the window and click on "More Bluetooth options" under the "Related settings" section.
3. In the new window that appears, make sure the "Options" tab is selected.
4. Here, you can enable or disable the following options by checking or unchecking the boxes next to them:

• Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC: This option is useful if you want to keep your Bluetooth connection active but don't want new devices to be displayed (e.g., when using your computer in a public place).
• Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect: This option allows you to receive a notification when an external device attempts to establish a Bluetooth connection with your PC.

To apply any changes you make, click on the "Apply" button and then click "OK".

Another advanced feature worth mentioning is the dynamic lock function, which detects the proximity of paired Bluetooth devices. If enabled, when the paired devices move out of range, Windows will automatically lock your PC. Once the devices are back within range, the computer will unlock again.

To enable the dynamic lock feature, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button, then click on the Settings icon on the left side of the Start menu.
2. In the Settings window, click on "Accounts".
3. On the left side of the Accounts window, click on "Sign-in options".
4. In the right side of the window, scroll down to the "Dynamic lock" section.
5. Check the box next to "Allow Windows to detect when you're away and automatically lock the device".

Of course, if you change your mind, you can always disable this feature by returning to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and unchecking the box next to "Allow Windows to detect when you're away and automatically lock the device".

Troubleshooting

If you have followed the instructions above on how to activate Bluetooth on Windows 10 but are still unable to do so, or if you encounter any issues, it may be due to faulty or outdated Bluetooth drivers.

To check for driver issues, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button located at the bottom left of the taskbar and select "Device Manager" from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the "Bluetooth" category and expand it by clicking on the arrow next to it.
3. Right-click on the Bluetooth driver and select "Update driver".

In the window that appears, choose the option to automatically search for an updated driver. Wait for Windows to search and install a newer version of the driver for the selected device. If no updates are found or if the option is not available (as it has been removed from Windows 10 version 19041.423 and later), follow the on-screen instructions provided. You may be given the option to search for driver updates through Windows Update or by using specific software.

If no updates are found using the methods above, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Bluetooth driver. To do this, right-click on the Bluetooth driver in the Device Manager window and select "Uninstall device" from the menu. Wait for the driver uninstallation process to complete, then restart your computer. Upon logging back into Windows, a new copy of the driver should be automatically installed.

If you are unable to activate Bluetooth on Windows 10 because the Bluetooth module is broken or simply not available on your computer, you can purchase a Bluetooth adapter. This device is similar to a USB flash drive and can be bought at any electronics store or online, such as Amazon. It allows you to add Bluetooth support to your computer quickly and easily.

Simply plug the Bluetooth adapter into any available USB port on your computer, wait for Windows 10 to detect and recognize it, and install the necessary drivers. Once installed, the management process is similar to what we have discussed earlier for built-in Bluetooth functionality.

In conclusion, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to activate Bluetooth on Windows 10. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully enable Bluetooth on your computer and pair it with other Bluetooth devices. If you encounter any issues, we have also provided troubleshooting steps to help you resolve them. Now you can enjoy the convenience of wireless connectivity with your Windows 10 PC.