How to connect a Bluetooth speaker to Windows 11

Here are the steps to connect a Bluetooth speaker on Windows 11.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Bluetooth speaker pairing
Bluetooth speaker pairing

You can connect any Bluetooth speaker to Windows 11 and make it the default output device on your computer for system sounds and other audio.

However, the computer needs to be equipped with a Bluetooth adapter, which most laptops and desktops have, but you can always purchase an inexpensive USB Bluetooth dongle to add this radio wireless technology for transferring data over a short distance to your device.

In this guide, you will learn the easy steps to pair Bluetooth devices to Windows 11.

Connect a Bluetooth speaker on Windows 11

To connect a pair of Bluetooth speakers on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Turn on the Bluetooth speaker.

  2. Turn on the device Bluetooth pair option on the main speaker.

  3. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  4. Click on Bluetooth & devices.

  5. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch to enable the wireless radio (if applicable).

  6. Click the Add device button.

    Bluetooth add new device

  7. Select the Bluetooth option.

    Windows 11 Bluetooth pairing option

  8. Choose the speaker to connect to Windows 11.

    Bluetooth device pairing

  9. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the wireless speaker will connect to Windows 11.

Change default audio output on Windows 11

If you are setting up the speaker on a laptop or device that already has another set of speakers, you may need to configure the default output device to be the new speaker.

To change the default audio output on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the Sound tab.

  4. Under the “Output” section, use the “Choose where to play sound” setting to select the Bluetooth speaker.

    Bluetooth speakers default output

After you complete the steps, the system audio will output on the wireless speaker.

If your computer does not have Bluetooth built-in, you can alternatively buy a USB adapter on Amazon.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].