How to find and turn on Bluetooth on a laptop

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To listen to music with wireless headphones or receive files from your smartphone.

How to check if there is a Bluetooth module in a laptop

Bluetooth modules began to be widely installed in laptops in the mid-2000s. If you have a 2010 model or newer, it almost certainly has this wireless interface. If your laptop is older, it is better to check the specifications of the model on the manufacturer's website or official dealers.

It's easier for MacBook owners in this regard. You don't have to check anything, because even in the very first model of 2006 there was a MacBook - Technical Specifications Bluetooth-module.

How to prepare for work

Think about what you would like to connect to your laptop. A smartphone, Bluetooth headphone, fitness tracker, or smartwatch are all good options.

Unpair this Bluetooth device from other gadgets. For example, disconnect the headphones from your smartphone.

How to turn on Bluetooth on a Windows laptop

Keyboard buttons

Many laptop keyboards have an Fn button. Together with the F1 – F12 keys in the top row, it provides access to special functions.

If you see a Bluetooth icon on one of the F1 – F12 buttons, press it together with Fn. Or, if your keyboard is configured differently, only to a button with Bluetooth.

Sometimes Bluetooth turns on and off along with Wi-Fi - through "Flight mode". In this case, look for the button with the Wi-Fi icon and press it - first with Fn, and then without, if you don't know for sure how to do it right.

By means of OS

Windows 10

Click on the "Notification Center" in the lower right corner of the screen (near the clock), and then on the item with Bluetooth.

This will make the button brighter. Not connected means that no Bluetooth devices are paired with your laptop yet. You can add them by right-clicking on the "Go to parameters" item.

In the window that opens, you can make sure that Bluetooth is connected and search for the necessary gadgets.

Windows 7

Look for the Bluetooth icon in the notification area next to the clock. If it is there, click on it, then - "Enable adapter".

If there is no icon, then you need to add it. Click the "Start" button, select "Devices and Printers" from the menu. Right-click on the “My Computer” icon in the list of devices and select “Bluetooth Settings”, then in the window that appears, check the box next to the line “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer” and click OK.

Alternatively, right-click on the network icon in the notification area (or go to the control panel) and select "Network and Sharing Center", click "Change adapter settings". Or go to the menu "Control Panel" - "Network and Internet" - "Network Connections". After that, right-click on the option "Bluetooth Network Connection", then - "Enable".

What to do if you can't turn on Bluetooth on a Windows laptop

Activate the module in the "Task Manager"

Go to "Device Manager": right-click on the icon "My Computer" / "Computer", select "Properties" and go to the desired menu. Expand Bluetooth. If there is a Bluetooth device icon with an arrow here, right-click on it and click Turn On Device.

Check Unidentified Devices

Refresh the list of devices in the manager: right-click on any of them and select "Update hardware configuration". If there are unrecognized devices in the list, try automatic search and installation of drivers.

Update or reinstall the driver

In the "Device Manager" right-click on the desired device and select "Update driver" and automatic installation. If you can't find the driver automatically, go to the website of your laptop manufacturer and try to download the one you need from there.

If there is no driver for your model or operating system, you can find it in a search engine by hardware ID. To find out this identifier, click on the device in the task manager, select "Properties", go to the "Details" tab and select "Hardware ID".

If you find an installation package, just run it. If you are offered an inf ‑ file, save it to your laptop, and then repeat the procedure: click on the device in the task manager, go to the item “Update driver”, select manual installation and specify the location of the file.

Check your PC for viruses

Bluetooth may not work or work incorrectly due to malware. These programs will help solve the problem:

• Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool;
• Avast;
• Avira;
• Sophos Home Free;
• Total AV (7 days free trial);
• BullGuard (30 days free trial).

How to turn on Bluetooth on MacBook

On the menu bar, click on the Bluetooth icon if it is gray. In the window that appears, select "Turn on Bluetooth". If the icon turns black, then everything worked out.

If the icon is gray, but there are three dots on top, it means that at least one device is already paired with Bluetooth in your laptop. Accordingly, the module is already included.

If there is no icon in the line, go to "System Preferences" in the Apple menu, select the Bluetooth item and click on the "Turn on Bluetooth" button. We also recommend that you check the "Show Bluetooth in menu bar" checkbox to make it easier for you next time.

What to do if you can't turn on Bluetooth on MacBook

Reboot your laptop

If the Bluetooth icon is gray and there is a broken line over it, then the module is currently unavailable or offline. Restarting your MacBook will often solve the problem. If there is no icon in the line or you cannot connect, also start by rebooting.

If Bluetooth still does not work after this procedure, disconnect all USB devices from the laptop and try again.

Reboot Bluetooth module

Hold Shift + Option and click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. In the list that appears, select "Debug" and click "Reset Bluetooth Module". This will reload the component.

Update the system

From the menu bar, go to system settings and select "Software update". If there is a newer version in the list of available options, click the Update Now button next to it. In the window that appears, check the box next to the system update and click "Install".

Sometimes Apple programmers make mistakes that cause certain functions or system components to stop working. But in the latest software versions, such problems are quickly solved.

Restart NVRAM (PRAM)

NVRAM (PRAM) is a non-volatile memory in MacBook that stores key system settings: boot volume number, screen resolution, speaker volume, critical error information, and more. If you turn off the power to the laptop, then after turning on the device, these settings can be used to boot the system normally.

To clear NVRAM (PRAM), proceed as follows:

1. Shut down your MacBook.
2. Turn it on and immediately hold down the Option, Command, P and R buttons.
3. Hold them for about 20 seconds, then release.

You may need to reconfigure the system after a reboot. But it often helps to solve the Bluetooth problem.

Remove corrupted settings files

In the process, errors may appear in the Bluetooth settings files. Here's how to get rid of them:

1. Press Shift + Command + G and in the window that appears, enter the address of the / Library / Preferences folder.
2. Delete the com.apple. Bluetooth.plist file from this folder.
3. Press Shift + Command + G again and navigate to the / Library / Preferences / ByHost folder.
4. Delete the com.apple. Bluetooth.xxxxxxxxxx file, where xxxxxxxxxx are any letters or numbers.
5. Restart your MacBook.

After rebooting, the system will recreate the deleted files.

Check your MacBook for viruses

Of course, there are essentially fewer viruses for macOS than for Windows. But this does not mean that they do not exist at all. These free tools can help you detect and remove malware from your MacBook:

• Avast;
• Avira;
• Sophos Home Free;
• Total AV (7 days free trial);
• BullGuard (30 days free trial).

What to do if all else fails

If the Bluetooth module is not physically available, then settings, drivers, and other software tools are powerless. It's not uncommon for Bluetooth to fail when laptops are flooded with liquids. And it happens that the Bluetooth card is not firmly inserted into the connector or the ribbon cable with which it is connected to the motherboard has come off (depending on the device model).

If all of our tips do not help you turn on the wireless interface, then this is your case. Especially if Wi-Fi doesn't work for you either - the modules are often combined.

In this case, you can open the laptop case, find the Bluetooth module and check the connection. And if you are not ready to do this or the device is under warranty, contact the service center.

Or maybe the problem is not with your laptop's Bluetooth module, but with the device you are trying to connect. Try turning off or on the Bluetooth module in it (if it is, for example, a smartphone or smart watch). If it does not help, restart the gadget and try to pair with the laptop again.