How to enable Bluetooth on a laptop of different versions of Windows

In this article, we will provide you with information on how to enable Bluetooth on a Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8/7 laptop. The described methods are also suitable for personal computers if they have a Bluetooth antenna. In addition to these inclusion options, there are others built into the branded programs from the laptop manufacturer. Such utilities can be on laptops from Xiaomi, Acer, Gigabyte, and so on. The methods described by us are suitable for any model, since the standard features of Windows are used.

It is worth remembering: in order for the Bluetooth module to work stably and correctly, you need to install the drivers from the official website of the company that released your laptop. Often people mistakenly think that after reinstalling the OS, the drivers will automatically install. They really will be installed if the drivers you need are already embedded in your OS installation image, which happens extremely rarely.

If you currently have the same operating system that was when you purchased the laptop, then you should take a look at the list of installed programs, where you can find a program for managing wireless networks, in it you can find Bluetooth controls and settings.

How to enable Bluetooth on a Windows 10 laptop

There are several options for activating Bluetooth in Windows 10, there is also an additional option called airplane mode, it disables the Bluetooth adapter. All activation methods are shown in the screenshot below.

In the case when you could not start the module in such ways, it may not work. Read the material you need on this topic.

There are some laptop models where, to enable Bluetooth, you need to move the Wireless switch to On mode (SonyVaio example). If you skip this step, you will not see the settings menu and BT management, even if the official drivers are installed. On some older models, a way to enable the Bluetooth module on the keyboard is possible. To do this, look at your keyboard and find the button with the Bluetooth logo, press the Fn combination and this button.

Power on on Windows 8.1

This option to enable the module only works on Windows 8.1, in case you have the eighth version, see below. This is a suitable method, but not the only one. To use it, follow the instructions below:

1. Open the panel, which is on the right and called Charms, then go to "Settings", then to "Change computer settings."
2. Next, go to "Computer and devices", there should be "Bluetooth" (if this button is not there, then use other methods, which are presented below). Click on this option and the adapter will switch to the device search mode.
   

Power on on Windows 8

In case you have the eighth version, the following Bluetooth activation option is possible:

1. Click on the panel on the right, then move the mouse to any corner of the window and go to "Options".
2. There will be “Change computer settings”, go there, click on “Wireless Network” there.
3. The module management will open, where there is access to enable or disable the module.

To connect the necessary devices to the laptop via Bluetooth, in this menu go to “Change computer settings”, then to “Devices” and “Add device”.

In case you used these methods, but you were not able to connect the device via bluetooth, you need to go to the device manager and find Bluetooth, and see if the module is turned on and if the necessary drivers are installed. You can find the dispatcher by pressing the key combination of Windows and R, in the open window you need to enter "devmgmt.msc".

Look at the properties of the Bluetooth module, and find problems in its operation. You can also look at the manufacturer of drivers there, in case it is Microsoft and they are old, you need to find official drivers.

A variant is possible when the drivers of only one operating system, and you have another installed, you can enable the drivers through compatibility mode with another OP. Quite often this helps.

How to enable Bluetooth on a Windows 7 laptop

In a laptop with Windows 7 installed, the easiest way to install Bluetooth is to turn it on through a proprietary program, or through the icon, which is located in Windows notifications. It shows in all cases a different bluetooth control menu, it depends on the version of the Bluetooth antenna and the installed driver. Do not forget about Wireless, which was mentioned earlier. When you have not found such an icon, the following methods are possible:

The first:

1. Go to the “Control Panel” and open “Devices and Printers”.
2. Click RMB on the Bluetooth Adapter.
3. When you find such an item, select “Bluetooth Settings” from the menu, where you can enable the icon in notifications, there are other options.
4. If there is no such item, you can connect the desired device to the bluetooth, click "Add device". When everything is set up normally, you will be able to connect.

The second way:

1. Select in the network icon, which is located in the notification area, and go to the "Network and Sharing Center."
2. In the left menu, go to "Change adapter settings."
3. Click on “Bluetooth Network Connection” and “Properties”.
4. There, select "Bluetooth", where you can open the settings.

Conclusion

We hope you now know how to enable Bluetooth on laptops of different versions of Windows. And remember, downloading drivers on third-party resources, you risk infecting your computer with viruses.