Are you having trouble figuring out how to turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 10 computer? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Whether you’re trying to connect a Bluetooth headset, portable speaker, or mouse, enabling Bluetooth is a common tech hurdle.

Here at Nimble Nerds, we specialize in making tech simple. Call to speak with our friendly receptionist, and we’ll have an experienced technician call you back—usually within 30 minutes, without obligation. We’ll even give you time and cost estimates so you can decide to book with confidence.

This guide will walk you through enabling Bluetooth on Windows 10, including troubleshooting common issues. Let’s get started!

Finding Your Way Around Windows 10 Bluetooth: The Basics

After years of working in the tech industry, I have received numerous calls from customers panicking because they believed their Bluetooth to be “broken”- but the thing is, their device just didn’t have enough Bluetooth capabilities to connect to begin with! That is why I crafted this guide to help users understand the basics and foundation of how to enable Bluetooth on their Windows 10 devices.

Before we head on, let’s start with the basics of pairing with another Bluetooth device before we dive into the nitty-gritty.

1. Right-click the Start button (the Windows button in your keyboard).
2. Select “Device Manager” from the menu.
3. Click “Bluetooth” in the list of devices
4. If you don’t see it, expand “Network adapters”

If you do not see a Bluetooth device listed anywhere, don’t worry – you’re not doing anything wrong, this happens for most other devices too. In this case, your PC probably just needs a Bluetooth adapter. I always remember to keep a spare one in my tech bag for exactly these situations!

Quick and Easy: Turn On Bluetooth Through Windows Settings App

This is my go-to method especially when walking clients through Bluetooth setup over the phone.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings app (or click the Start menu and click the gear icon)
2. Click “Devices”
3. Click “Bluetooth & other devices”
4. Select Bluetooth toggle button switch and flip it to “On”. The toggle will turn blue once Bluetooth is turned on.

Pro tip: If your Bluetooth toggle is grayed out, you might need to update your device drivers installed. I’ll show you how to handle that in just a bit.

The Action Center Icon: Your New Best Friend

The action center for Windows 10 is a little trick I share with my business clients who need to frequently toggle their Bluetooth:

1. Click the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen or the action center icon located in the taskbar.
2. If you don’t see the Bluetooth option right away, click “Expand”
3. Click the Bluetooth tile to toggle it on/off

Turn On Bluetooth Easily Using Swift Pair

When Microsoft introduced Swift Pair, it was a game-changer for my support calls:

1. Make sure Swift Pair is enabled in your Bluetooth settings
2. Put your Bluetooth device in pairing mode
3. Hold it near your PC or computer
4. Wait for the new window of notification to popup
5. Click “Connect”, and follow any additional instructions if they appear and you’re now connected.

Troubleshooting: When Things Don’t Go as Planned

After thousands of support calls, here are the windows 10 most common issues I’ve encountered and their solutions:

1. Missing Bluetooth Switch
   • Check Device Manager for a Bluetooth device or hardwareOpen Device Manager through the Start menu on your computer. Afterwards, look for “Bluetooth” under the device list—if you can’t find it, this probably means your device might not have Bluetooth built into the system or the hardware may be disabled.
   • Install a USB Bluetooth adapter if neededIf your computer doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth, you can simply purchase and install an adapter. Start by plugging it into the USB port, and Windows automatically install the drivers.
   • Update or reinstall your Bluetooth driverOnce you’re in the Device Manager, right-click your Bluetooth device, and select “Update driver.” However, if the issue continues, it may be best to uninstall the driver, reset your Bluetooth device, restart your computer, and let Windows reinstall it automatically.
2. Bluetooth Won’t Turn On
   • Restart your PC (solves more problems than you’d think!)
   • Check for Windows Updates
   • Run the Hardware Troubleshooter
3. Driver Issues
   • Open Device Manager
   • Right-click your Bluetooth adapter
   • Select “Update driver”
   • Choose “Search automatically for drivers”

Adding Bluetooth to a PC Without It

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve saved the day with this simple solution:

1. Purchase an adapter (they’re usually under $15)
2. Plug it into an available USB port
3. Wait for Windows to detect it
4. If drivers don’t install automatically:
   • Go to Device Manager
   • Look for any devices with yellow warning triangles
   • Right-click and select “Update driver”

Bluetooth Devices: Making Sure Your Connection Stays Strong

Here are my tried-and-true tips for maintaining a solid Bluetooth connection:

1. Keep your Bluetooth device within 30 feet of your PC
2. Avoid interference from:
   • Microwave ovens
   • Other Bluetooth devices
   • Thick walls
   • Metal objects
3. Regular Windows Updates
4. Keep your drivers current

Bluetooth Devices- Conclusion

From this guide, you definitely learned that connecting a new Bluetooth device to your Windows 10 computer doesn’t have to be a headache. With these steps, I’ve helped hundreds of my clients to thoroughly understand the simplicity of this connection. However, if you’re still feeling stuck (or if you’re not in the mood to do all these things) don’t worry, we got you.

At Nimble Nerds, you can feel free to ask for our assistance with all your tech needs- from software updates to hardware troubleshooting.

We’re ready to assist you! Just contact us at 02 8091 0815 and one of our friendly team will talk to you- providing insight on our service to help you get the best assistance you need.

FAQs- How to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10

Q: Why can’t I turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10?

A: In my experience, it’s usually one of three things: outdated drivers, missing Bluetooth hardware, or Windows needs an update. Follow the troubleshooting steps above to identify and fix the issue.

Q: How do I turn on Bluetooth if there’s no button?

A: First, verify your PC has Bluetooth capability through Device Manager. If not, grab your adapter – they’re an easy fix I recommend to clients all the time.

Q: Why does my Bluetooth device keep turning off?

A: This is often caused by power settings or driver issues. Check your Power Management settings in Device Manager settings, and make sure “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is unchecked.

Q: How do I know if my PC supports Bluetooth?

A: Check Device Manager for a Bluetooth section. If you don’t see one, your PC either needs a driver update or doesn’t have Bluetooth hardware enabled or built-in.