How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 7

As long as your computer has Bluetooth, Windows makes it easy to turn it on and get connected. Once you have enabled Bluetooth, you can connect to a wireless network, pair your PC with other wireless devices and more.

Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.

As of January 2020, Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7. We recommend upgrading to Windows 10 to continue receiving security updates and technical support.

How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 10 or Windows 8.1

Some computers have a button or keyboard key that allows you to turn on Bluetooth with a single tap. However, if you cannot find one of these, you can enable Bluetooth in your computer’s settings.

Select the Start button.
Type "Bluetooth" into the search box and select Bluetooth settings from the list.
Toggle the Bluetooth switch to On.

How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 7

The settings to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 7 are slightly different than in newer Windows versions.

Select the Start button.
Type Bluetooth settings in the Start Search box.
Select Change Bluetooth Settings in the search results. The Bluetooth Settings dialog box opens.
Select the Options tab.
Select the Allow Bluetooth Devices to Find This Computer checkbox under Discovery.
Select the Allow Bluetooth Devices to Connect with This Computer checkbox and the Alert Me When a New Bluetooth Device Wants to Connect checkbox under Connections.
Select Apply and then select OK.

You should now see the Bluetooth icon on your taskbar or in the Hidden Icons folder to the left of the date and time on your taskbar.

Once you turn on Bluetooth and made your computer discoverable, you can connect Bluetooth headphones to PC or pair any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or speakers, to your computer.

The computer is now paired with the other device. They should automatically connect any time the two devices are within pairing range, provided Bluetooth is enabled on both.

Troubleshooting Bluetooth Issues

If you are unable to enable Bluetooth on your Windows 7 computer, or if you are not able to pair another device with your PC via Bluetooth, troubleshooting can help you find the solution.