How to Connect a Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers

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by Luis E. Chavez Saenz
Luis Chavez is a System Administrator with 5+ years' experience writing tech guides for end users. Luis holds a BS in Computer Science.
Updated April 11, 2019

The process of setting up Bluetooth computer speakers for use with your laptop is relatively simple on both Windows and Mac machines. You just need to make the speakers discoverable and have your laptop search for them.

Make Your Bluetooth Speakers Discoverable

To connect your Bluetooth speakers, you first need to make sure they are discoverable. Depending on the model of your Bluetooth speakers, you may accomplish this by pressing and holding the power button or the Bluetooth button for about five seconds. You should see the Bluetooth LED blinking, meaning your speakers are ready to be paired with the laptop. If you don't see the blinking LED, consult the documentation that came with your speakers or go to the manufacturer's website for specific instructions on making the speakers discoverable.

How to Connect Laptop to Bluetooth Speakers on Windows

  1. On your Windows laptop, go to the Start Menu and choose the Settings icon.

  2. Type Bluetooth into the search box and select Bluetooth and other devices settings when it appears in the search results.

  3. Select Add Bluetooth or other device.

  4. Select Bluetooth.

    If your device doesn't have the Bluetooth setting enabled, it could mean the built-in Bluetooth adapter is disabled or your PC doesn't have a Bluetooth adapter. Fortunately, there are ways to add Bluetooth to your computer.

  5. When the Bluetooth discoverable devices appear, select your Bluetooth speakers in the list. You will receive a notification on your screen when your device is ready to go.

How to Connect to Bluetooth Speaker on a Mac

The steps for connecting with a laptop running OS X or macOS are almost identical to setting up a Bluetooth peripheral device on Windows.

  1. Click System Preferences from the Apple menu or select the System Preferences icon in the Dock.

  2. Select Bluetooth in the System Preferences window.

  3. Select your Bluetooth speakers from the list of available devices.

  4. When the Bluetooth speakers are paired, they show as Connected.

  5. Go ahead and enjoy your speakers!

Troubleshooting a Pairing Failure

When it works, pairing your Bluetooth speakers and laptop is a simple process, but sometimes things don't go smoothly. Before you get frustrated, try a few simple fixes that may help.

  • Confirm the speakers are turned on.
  • Make sure you are using the recommending pairing technique specified in the documentation.
  • Turn Bluetooth off and on again on your laptop.
  • Position the speakers within 5 feet of the laptop.
  • Fully charge the laptop and the speakers (or attach to a power outlet).
  • Move away from your Wi-Fi router, which can interfere with the connection.
  • Turn both the laptop and the speakers off and back on.
  • Remove any obstructions between the speakers and the laptop.