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In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices. In Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Turn on Bluetooth there, then choose the option to add a device.
Your computer needs a working Bluetooth adapter, and the headphones, mouse, phone or controller must be in pairing mode. A device can be switched on without being ready to pair.
Find Bluetooth settings quickly
| Task | Windows 11 | Windows 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Open Bluetooth settings | Settings > Bluetooth & devices | Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices |
| Quick switch | Press Windows + A to open Quick Settings | Press Windows + A to open Action Center; expand the quick actions if needed |
| Add a device | Add device > Bluetooth | Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth |
You can also search Start for Bluetooth settings. If you were looking for Bluetooth in Control Panel, the Settings app is the easiest place to start on current Windows versions.
Windows 11 separates Quick Settings from notifications. See our Notification Center guide if Windows + A opens a different panel from the one you expected.
Pair headphones, a mouse or another Bluetooth device
- Charge or power on the device and put it in pairing mode. Check its manual for the button or button combination.
- Open the Bluetooth settings for your Windows version and turn the Bluetooth switch on.
- Select Add device or Add Bluetooth or other device, then choose Bluetooth.
- Select the device when its name appears.
- Follow the prompt. If Windows shows a code, confirm that it matches the code on the other device.
- Test it in the app where you want to use it. For headphones, also check the sound output selected in Windows.
A device that is already connected to another phone or computer may need to be disconnected there before it can pair with your PC. Once paired, many devices reconnect automatically when they are nearby and Bluetooth is on. Microsoft‘s pairing guide covers the supported Windows paths.
For a PS5 controller, first separate a pairing problem from a physical fault. Our DualSense repair and opening guide explains checks to try before taking the controller apart.
Disconnect or remove a paired device
Disconnect stops the current connection when that option is available. Remove device forgets the pairing, so you will have to pair it again next time.
- Windows 11: open Bluetooth & devices, find the device, and open its three-dot menu to remove it. Some devices also have a Connect or Disconnect control.
- Windows 10: select the device under Bluetooth & other devices, then choose the available Disconnect or Remove device option.
Turn Bluetooth off with the main switch if you want to stop Bluetooth connections on that PC. That does not erase the list of paired devices.
Send or receive files over Bluetooth
Open the Bluetooth settings and look for Send or receive files via Bluetooth under the related settings. In Windows 11, you may need to open the Devices page first.
- Pair the two devices.
- On the receiving Windows PC, choose Receive files and leave the waiting window open.
- On the sending device, choose the file and send it over Bluetooth.
- Approve any prompt and choose where to save the received file.
Both devices must support this kind of file transfer; pairing alone does not guarantee it. See Microsoft’s Bluetooth file-transfer instructions for the send and receive steps.
Bluetooth is missing or will not connect
| What you see | What to check first |
|---|---|
| No Bluetooth switch | Confirm the PC has Bluetooth. Check Device Manager and the PC maker’s driver page. Some desktops need a USB adapter. |
| Device does not appear | Put it back in pairing mode, move it closer, and disconnect it from another nearby device. |
| Paired but not connecting | Restart both devices. If needed, remove the pairing and add the device again. |
| Headphones connect without sound | Check Windows sound output and the app’s own audio settings. |
| Connection drops | Check the battery, distance, interference and manufacturer driver updates. |
On Windows 11, Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guide starts with the Get Help troubleshooter. Download drivers from Windows Update or the PC or adapter maker, rather than an unrelated driver-download site.
Common questions
Can I add Bluetooth to a desktop PC?
Usually, a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter can add it. Check that the adapter supports your Windows version and the type of device you want to use.
Why can I not find a Bluetooth Control Panel button?
Windows has moved many device controls into Settings. Search for Bluetooth settings instead of looking for a specific old Control Panel layout.
Does Bluetooth give my computer internet access?
Pairing headphones or a mouse does not. A Bluetooth personal-area network is a separate feature and needs a device that supports internet sharing over Bluetooth.