How to Turn Bluetooth On or Off in Windows 11

Lee Stanton November 23, 2023

If you use Bluetooth with Windows 11, you might want to know how to turn the feature on or off. Maybe your device isn’t synching with your new speakers, or you no longer wish to pair with your old headphones. Fortunately, this is a relatively straightforward process.

In this article, you’ll see how to turn Bluetooth on or off in Windows 11, plus find answers to common questions regarding Bluetooth on Windows 11. Let’s get started!

Two Methods to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 11

There are two ways in Windows 11 to turn on your computer’s Bluetooth.

Method 1: Use Quick Settings

If you have a Bluetooth-enabled device nearby and it’s turned on, your computer will automatically detect it. When this happens, you can turn Bluetooth on via the quick settings. To do so, follow these steps:

In the taskbar, find and select the “Quick Settings” menu. This is the series of icons to the left of the date and time in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
A pop-up menu will appear. Find and select the “Bluetooth icon.” This is the universal symbol for Bluetooth.
If you can’t find the Bluetooth symbol, click the little pencil icon in the bottom right corner. Then click “Add” and select “Bluetooth.” This will add the Bluetooth logo to the pop-up menu, and you can click it.
Once you click the Bluetooth symbol, it will turn blue, indicating it has been turned on.

Once the Bluetooth is running, you’ll be able to make a connection with a Bluetooth-enabled device.

Method 2: Use Windows Settings

If the computer doesn’t automatically register a Bluetooth-enabled device nearby, you won’t be able to turn on Bluetooth in the quick settings. You will need to turn it on via the Windows settings. Here’s how it’s done:

Launch “Settings” by pressing “Windows + “i” on your keyboard or by searching “Settings” in the search bar.
Once you’ve launched the settings app, click “Bluetooth & devices.”
Flip the switch next to “Bluetooth” to the on position.
If the switch has turned blue, Bluetooth has successfully been turned on.

You’ll now be able to connect a device to the computer via Bluetooth.

How to Turn Off Bluetooth in Windows 11

Whether you want to turn Bluetooth off for security reasons or even conserve battery life, follow a few straightforward steps. In simple terms, turning Bluetooth off in Windows 11 is the same process as turning it on.

Launch “Settings.” You can do this by pressing “Windows + i” on your keyboard or searching for “Settings” in the search bar.
Once you’ve launched the settings app, click “Bluetooth & devices.”
Flip the switch next to “Bluetooth” to the off position.
If the switch has turned gray, Bluetooth has successfully been turned off.

Once turned off, any Bluetooth device connected to your computer will disconnect.

Bluetooth is a powerful tool in wireless technology. Millions of people use Bluetooth-enabled devices every day. Whether you aim to use a keyboard, mouse, speakers, or another device with your computer, Bluetooth is a secure and reliable way to connect within short distances.

FAQs: Enabling/Disabling Bluetooth in Windows 11

How do I add a device once Bluetooth is turned on?

Just getting Bluetooth turned on is half the battle. You’ll still need to connect a device. Tojoint a device via Bluetooth in Windows 11, do the following:

1. Go to “Settings” and choose “Bluetooth & devices.”

2. Click the “Add device” button at the top of the window.

3. A window will pop up called “Add a device.” Click on “Bluetooth.”

4. Any device the computer can see will automatically appear. Select the one you want to connect to.

5. You will see a message that reads, “Device is ready to go!”

6. Click “Done” in the bottom right-hand corner.

Your device should be connected and ready to use.

Why can’t I see the device I want to connect?

If you’ve turned on Bluetooth in Windows 11 and can’t see the device you want to connect to, you can perform a few troubleshooting steps. Here are some common reasons why your device can’t be found on your Windows 11 computer:

• The device isn’t turned on, or the battery is low.

• The device isn’t “discoverable” to the computer. Some devices need to be turned on to be discoverable. Other devices require a long press of a particular button or another method. Check the instructions that came with the device.

• Unpair the device to any Bluetooth connections it may be paired with on other devices.

• There is some other sort of glitch. Turn the device off and back on again. Also, restart your computer.

If none of these common reasons are applicable, you should consider contacting technical support.