How to Enable and Connect Bluetooth on Windows 11

This practical guide walks through how to enable and connect bluetooth on Windows 11, explains the main requirements, and highlights common issues that may appear along the way.

Turn on Bluetooth using the Quick Settings Menu

The fastest method to enable Bluetooth in Windows 11 is to use the Quick Settings quick settings menu. Access this menu by clicking on the set of indicator icons located directly to the left of the date and time entry in the taskbar in the corner of the screen.

Immediately the Quick Settings menu will appear. You find and click on the Bluetooth icon, which looks like a stylized ' B ', as shown below.

(In case you don't see the Bluetooth button or icon appear here. Click the pencil icon then tap ' Add ' then select 'Bluetooth' from the list.)

After you click the Bluetooth icon, the button will change to blue, indicating that the Bluetooth signal is enabled. To make a connection, right click on the Bluetooth button, select ' Go to Settings ' then find the available device.

Turn on Bluetooth using the Windows Settings app

You can also turn on Bluetooth from the Windows Settings app. First, open the Settings app by pressing Windows + i on your keyboard, or open the Start menu, search for the keyword ' settings ', and then click the return gear icon.

In the Settings interface that opens, find and click on the ' Bluetooth & Devices ' item .

In the Bluetooth settings, turn the switch next to ' Bluetooth ' to the ' On ' position .

Bluetooth is enabled and you can start pairing the device.

Pairing Bluetooth Devices on Windows 11

Bluetooth is enabled, it's time to connect your wireless peripheral to your Windows 11 PC.

On the ' Bluetooth & Devices ' section view (in the Settings menu), click the ' Add Device ' button with the big plus sign (' + ') in the middle.

In the ' Add a Device ' window that pops up, click ' Bluetooth '.

Next, make sure that the device you are trying to connect to is powered on and in pairing mode.

Windows will enter search mode for nearby available devices. These devices will appear in a list that appears on the screen. When you see the device you want to connect to, click its name in the list.

If it is a mouse, gamepad or headset, the device will automatically connect. If it's a keyboard, Windows 11 may show you the passcode. Enter that passcode on the Bluetooth keyboard you're trying to connect to.

When you see the message ' Your device is ready to go ', it means your Bluetooth device is already connected to your PC. Click ' Done '.

Then, close Settings and start the experience.

Hope you are succesful.