5 Methods to Activate Bluetooth on Laptops
Bluetooth enables private network connections between devices in close proximity, commonly used for transferring data from one device to another.
Due to its convenience, many people prefer Bluetooth over cables for data transfer. It’s often used to send files between laptops, computers, smartphones, or vice versa.
However, not everyone knows how to activate Bluetooth on a laptop or computer—perhaps you’re among them, which is why you’re here.
In this article, Carisinyal will guide you through the steps to activate Bluetooth on a laptop. Just follow one of the methods below, and you’ll have Bluetooth up and running in no time.
1. Use the Fn Button + Bluetooth Icon
Most laptops come with built-in Bluetooth functionality. To activate it, you typically need to use a combination of the 'Fn' (Function) key and one of the F1 to F12 keys. The specific key to press is usually indicated by a Bluetooth icon printed on it.
Since laptop brands vary, the placement of this Bluetooth icon can differ. It could be on any of the F1 to F12 keys. To find out which one, look for the key with the Bluetooth symbol.
For example, if the Bluetooth icon is on the F4 key on your laptop, you would activate Bluetooth by pressing Fn + F4. When activated correctly, a Bluetooth icon will appear in your system tray, located on the rightmost part of the taskbar. The appearance of this icon means that Bluetooth is now active and ready for use.
2. Activating Bluetooth in the Settings Menu
Activating Bluetooth can also be done through your computer's settings. This method allows you to turn on Bluetooth and pair it with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Here's how you can do it:
1. Go to Settings
Start by opening the Windows menu. Then, navigate to the 'Settings' section. For a quicker route, you can type "Settings" in the search bar or directly search for "Bluetooth". Once you're in the Settings menu, select the 'Devices' option.
2. Activate Bluetooth
It will look like the image shown. In the "Bluetooth & other devices" section, you'll find a switch to toggle Bluetooth on or off. Simply slide the button to the "On" position to activate Bluetooth.
3. Connect the device
Once Bluetooth is turned on, you can connect your device to the laptop or PC. First, the devices need to be "paired." If they are already paired, you can easily reconnect them.
As shown in the image above, the AM61 is an audio device that is already connected. Simply click the Connect option to link the Bluetooth device with your laptop or computer.
If you want to connect a new device, click the Add Bluetooth or other device option at the top to pair it with your system.
3. Through Device Manager
Another simple way to activate Bluetooth is through the Device Manager. The process is straightforward:
- Open Device Manager.
- In the list, look for the Bluetooth section.
If Bluetooth is listed but not active, right-click on it and select Enable to activate it. To turn it off, you can choose the Disable option.
4. Install the Bluetooth Driver
If you’ve tried the methods above but still can’t activate Bluetooth, it’s possible that your laptop’s operating system doesn’t have the necessary Bluetooth driver installed. In that case, you’ll need to install the Bluetooth driver first.
You can install the driver using the built-in driver CD that came with your device. If you don’t have the CD, you can download the appropriate Bluetooth driver from the internet. Make sure to download the driver that matches the type of Bluetooth device and model used on your laptop.
5. Use a Bluetooth USB Dongle
Not all laptops come with built-in Bluetooth. If your laptop doesn’t support Bluetooth and there’s no Bluetooth icon on any of the F1 to F12 keys, you’ll need an alternative solution. The easiest option is to use a USB Bluetooth dongle.
As the name suggests, a USB dongle plugs into the laptop’s USB port. It looks similar to a flash drive, though some models may have a small receiver antenna. Simply insert it into a USB port on your laptop or desktop to enable Bluetooth.
That wraps up the guide on how to activate Bluetooth on a laptop. Hopefully, this article helps you better understand Bluetooth and how to use it effectively!