Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows (2025)

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

In Settings app:

To turn on Bluetooth in the Settings app:

1. On the Windows device, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices .

   Or

   Select the following Bluetooth & devices shortcut:

2. In the Bluetooth & devices window, next to Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is switched On.

In quick settings:

To find the quick setting for Bluetooth:

1. Select the Network , Sound , or Battery icon next to the time and date.

2. Select the Bluetooth tile to toggle Bluetooth on and off.

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

     See Also

     Bluetooth | Definition, Uses, History, & Facts | Britannica

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

     

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, select the Network , Sound , or Battery icon next to the time and date on the taskbar.

3. Select the Manage Bluetooth devices chevron on the Bluetooth quick setting, then select the device under New devices. You might need to scroll through Your devices for New devices to become available.

   

4. Follow additional instructions if they appear, then select Done.

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

Tip:If the Bluetooth device isn't displayed in the list, the Bluetooth devices discovery setting might need to be set to Advanced. To learn how, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth printer or scanner and make it discoverable. The way to make a 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, select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners .

   Or

   Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners shortcut:

3. In the Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners window, next to Add a printer or scanner, select the Add device button.

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 Add device button next to the desired printer or scanner.

If there are problems installing a printer or scanner, see either Fix printer problems or Install and use a scanner in Windows.

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 a 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.