How to enable Bluetooth on Windows 11

Here are the easy steps to enable or disable Bluetooth on Windows 11.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 turn on Bluetooth
Windows 11 turn on Bluetooth
  • To enable Bluetooth on Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Bluetooth and turn on “Bluetooth.”
  • If Bluetooth is missing, enable the adapter in Device Manager and then turn on “Bluetooth” from Settings or Quick Settings.

On Windows 11, you can turn on Bluetooth quickly in at least two ways using the “Quick Settings” flyout or through the Settings app, and in this guide, we’ll show you how.

Bluetooth is a wireless adapter that allows you to transfer data over a short distance, and you can use it to connect a slew of peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, headphones, cameras, phones, and the list goes on.

Typically, Bluetooth will be enabled by default, but you may have to turn it on manually from the Settings app or Taskbar if it’s not. You may even need to enable the adapter from Device Manager if Bluetooth is missing from your setup.

This guide will teach you the easy steps to enable Bluetooth on your Windows 11 laptop or desktop.

Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11

To turn Bluetooth on or off on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.

  3. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch on the right side to enable Bluetooth on Windows 11.

    Enable Bluetooth

  4. (Optional) Turn off the Bluetooth toggle switch to disable the feature.

Once you complete the steps, Bluetooth will enable on your computer.

Turn on Bluetooth shortcut on Windows 11

To enable Bluetooth quickly with the Quick Settings shortcut on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Use the “Windows key + A” keyboard shortcut to open the “Quick Settings” flyout.

  2. Click the Bluetooth button to enable Bluetooth.

    Bluetooth enable button

  3. Click the “Manage Bluetooth devices” button (next to the Bluetooth button).

  4. Select the device to pair.

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

  6. (Optional) Click the Bluetooth button again to disable the feature.

After you complete the steps, the Bluetooth device should connect to the computer.

Fix Bluetooth missing on Windows 11

If the Bluetooth option is missing in the Settings app, the hardware is probably disabled, damaged, or not supported, or there’s a driver problem. You can quickly check or re-enable the device in Device Manager.

To fix Bluetooth missing on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.

  3. Expand the Bluetooth category.

  4. Right-click the hardware and select the Enable device option to turn on the missing Bluetooth.

    Enable Bluetooth missing

After you complete the steps, the Bluetooth option should appear in the Settings app. If the device is missing, the hardware may be damaged, or your device may not support the feature.

If the computer has a yellow or red mark, it could be a problem with the drive. You can use these instructions to troubleshoot and fix problems with Bluetooth.

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 14 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 20 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].