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Want to connect a device to your Windows 11 via Bluetooth but not sure how to turn Bluetooth on? This quick guide will teach you three methods to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11.
Option 1: Turn on Bluetooth from Windows Settings
The fastest way to turn on Bluetooth is via Windows Settings. Follow the steps below to turn on Bluetooth:
- Right-click Windows 11 Start menu. Then, from the displayed options, click Settings. This action will open Windows 11 Settings.
- Then, on the left pane of Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices.
- Finally, on the Bluetooth & devices settings page, toggle the switch to the right of Bluetooth from Off to On.
Once you turn Bluetooth on, under Bluetooth, you’ll see the name of the computer. This is the name you will use to connect other Bluetooth devices to your Windows 11 PC.
Option 2: Turn on Bluetooth with PowerShell
To offer our SysAdmin readers the option to use PowerShell to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11, I wanted to develop a custom PowerShell function. But I found a script developed by a Superuser member, Ben N.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
To make running the script as a function easy, I converted it into a function.
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- Bluetooth 5.4 + Broad Compatibility - Provides Bluetooth 5.4 plus EDR technology and is backward compatible with Bluetooth V5.3/5.0/4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1.
- Faster Speed, Extended Range - Get up to 2x faster data transfer and 4x broader coverage compared to Bluetooth 4.0 — perfect for smooth audio streaming and stable connections.
- EDR and BLE Technology - This Bluetooth dongle is quipped with enhanced data rate and Bluetooth low energy, UB500 has greatly improved data transfer speed and operates at the optimal rate of power consumption
- Nano-Sized - A sleek, ultra-small design means you can insert the Nano Bluetooth receiver into any USB port and simply keep it there regardless of whether you are traveling or at home
- Plug & Play with Free Driver Support - Plug and play for Windows 8.1/10/11 (internet required). Supports Win7 (driver required and can be downloaded from website for free). Download the latest driver from TP-Link website to utilize Bluetooth 5.4
Follow the steps below to download and use the Set-BlueTooth function to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11.
- Download Set-BlueTooth.zip. Then, unzip the zipped file.
- If you need help unzipping the zipped file, right-click it, then select Extract All…
- On the next window, click Extract. Windows will create a folder called Set-BlueTooth; the folder will also open.
- Navigate one folder backward to display the Set-BlueTooth folder.
- Copy the Set-BlueTooth folder to your Windows 11 PowerShell modules folder:
C:\Users\ptofile_name\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Modules
If you performed steps 1 to 4 correctly, you should now have a folder structure similar to the second image below. Now, proceed to step 5 below…
- Now, open PowerShell as administrator. Search powershell, then click Run as Administrator.
Windows 11 will display the User Account Control window. Click Yes.
- When Windows PowerShell opens, run the following commands to import the module:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Force
Unblock-File C:\Users\VictorA\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\Set-BlueTooth\Set-BlueTooth.psm1
Import-Module C:\Users\VictorA\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\Set-BlueTooth\Set-BlueTooth.psm1
- Finally, run the command below to use the Set-BlueTooth function to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11.
See the screenshot below before I run the command – I have turned Bluetooth off.
Set-BlueTooth -BluetoothStatus On
The command will take a short while to run…
The command turned on the Bluetooth on my PC. I have just used Windows PowerShell to turn on Bluetooth on Windows 11!
If, however, I want to turn off Bluetooth, I will run the command below:
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- BLUETOOTH ACCESS: Amazon Basics Bluetooth 5.4 USB dongle adapter receiver converts non-Bluetooth PCs into Bluetooth-capable devices with a simple USB connection
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY: Supports Bluetooth 5.4 & is backwards compatible with Bluetooth 5.3/5.2/5.1/5.0/V4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1; ONLY works with Windows 8.1, 10 & 11
- MULTI-DEVICE CONNECTION: Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously via any standard USB port; nano Bluetooth receiver plugs in easily for quick setup on laptops & PCs
- ENHANCED PERFORMANCE: EDR & BLE technology provides enhanced data transfer speed & low energy consumption for efficient wireless connectivity across connected devices
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Not compatible with Mac, Linux, Chrome, Unix, Playstation, or Windows 7 & below; disable any built-in Bluetooth on the device before use
Set-BlueTooth -BluetoothStatus Off
The last command turned off the Bluetooth on my PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are multiple reasons why you may not find Bluetooth on Windows 11. Start by checking that the Bluetooth driver is not installed.
To check if Bluetooth Driver is installed on your PC, right-click the Start menu and click Device Manager. Then, expand the Bluetooth category.
See the screenshot below. The Bluetooth driver is likely installed if you find a device in the Bluetooth category. 
However, there may be a problem with the driver. For example, it may be disabled. As shown in my screenshot above, if the Bluetooth driver is disabled, it will have an arrow pointing downwards.
To enable the driver, right-click it, then select Enable device. 
Finally, if you have confirmed that your Bluetooth device’s driver is installed and enabled, but you still cannot see Bluetooth, there is one more place to look. Check that the Bluetooth support services is turned on.
If Bluetooth is turned on, the Bluetooth icon will be available on the system tray on the bottom right of the taskbar.
However, if it is not there, Bluetooth is likely turned off. To turn Bluetooth on, open Windows settings => Bluetooth & devices.
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- Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: Techkey USB Bluetooth 6.0 dongle utilizes Class 1 radio technology and features an extended antenna, providing a transmission range of up to 600ft/200m in open areas, ensuring that Bluetooth connections are no longer limited by distance. (Please note that physical obstructions and wireless interference may affect the actual transmission range.)
- Fast Transmission Rate: With EDR technology and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration, this upgraded Bluetooth 6.0 adapter achieves speeds of up to 3Mbps, greatly improving transmission rates and reducing efficiency loss due to interference in the 2.4GHz band. This allows for fast, seamless wireless data connections between your computer and Bluetooth devices.
- Real Plug & Play with Free Driver Support: Techkey USB wireless Bluetooth is not constrained by network or location, requiring no driver installation. Just plug the USB wireless adapter into your computer and start using it right away. Enjoy the convenience of Bluetooth functionality at any time, enhancing work efficiency and saving time.
- Latest Bluetooth 6.0 dongle: Utilizes the latest Bluetooth 6.0+EDR technology, compatible with Bluetooth 6.0/5.4/5.3/5.2/4.2/4.2 LE/4.0/2.1+EDR, and features Dual mode (BR/EDR+ Bluetooth Low Energy) for reduced energy consumption and enhanced speed, ensuring quick response and superior anti-interference capabilities.
- Up to 7 Devices Sync Connected: The upgraded Bluetooth 6.0 dongle is designed for a wide range of applications, allowing simultaneous connections with up to 7 Bluetooth wireless devices such as speakers, keyboards, headsets, mice, and printers. It is exclusively compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1 and does not support Mac OS, Linux, car stereo systems, XBOX, PS4, or TVs.
Most PCs these days have Bluetooth. If you cannot find the Bluetooth button, the driver is likely not installed. Follow the steps in question 1 above to check.
If the Bluetooth driver is installed and it is not disabled, check that Windows turned on Bluetooth support services.
Once these three are checked, and you still cannot see the Bluetooth toggle button, likely, your PC does not have Bluetooth. You can buy a Bluetooth dongle for PC from Amazon.
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No, unfortunately, not all PCs have Bluetooth. However, most PCs have in-built Bluetooth.
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- Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter: This bluetooth adapter for pc uses the latest upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 BR+EDR technology, greatly improves the stability of the connection data transfer speed, reduces the possibility of signal interruption and power consumption.
- Up to 5 Devices Sync Connected: UGREEN Bluetooth dongle for PC supports up to 5 different types of Bluetooth devices to be connected at the same time without interfering with each other, such as Bluetooth mouse/keyboard/mobile phone/headphones, etc. If Bluetooth audio devices of the same type (such as speakers/headphones) are connected, only one device can play music.
- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth adapter is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Win 7, Linux and MacOS System are NOT supported.
- Mini Size: An extremely compact Bluetooth stick that you can leave on your laptop or PC without removing it.The compact size does not interfere with other USB ports. Convenient to carry, no space occupation.
- What Can I do if the Bluetooth adapter can not work?: Ensure there are no other Bluetooth devices installed on the computer. If there are, disable all existing Bluetooth devices in "Device Manager", then insert the adapter and try again. (For detailed information please read the user manual)
Conclusion
Most PCs come with Bluetooth, so if you cannot find the option to turn on Bluetooth, you may need to install the driver. Moreover, you may need to check that you did not mistakenly disable the driver.
You can easily turn on Bluetooth from Windows Settings if your PC came with a built-in Bluetooth and the driver is installed. In addition to Windows Settings, you can also turn Bluetooth on with Windows PowerShell.
This guide offers the steps to use any of these two options to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11.
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- Bluetooth 5.4 dongle: Applies the latest Bluetooth 5.4+EDR technology, compatible with Bluetooth 5.3/5.2/4.2/4.2 LE/4.0/2.1+EDR, and supports Dual mode (BR/EDR+ Bluetooth Low Energy) to achieve low energy consumption and high speed. Quick response and better anti-interference.
- Plug & Play: USB wireless Bluetooth is not limited by network and location, no need to install drivers, just plug the USB wireless adapter into your computer, you can use it directly. You can use the Bluetooth function at any time. Greatly improve your work efficiency and save your time.
- Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: The USB Bluetooth 5.4 dongle uses Class 1 radio technology, equipped with extra long antenna, and the transmission range in the open area can reach 500ft/150m, Bluetooth connections are no longer affected by distance. Note: The actual transmission range will be affected by physical obstructions and wireless interference.
- Fast Transmission Rate: This upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 adapter features EDR technology and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration up to 3Mbps, which greatly improves transmission rates and reduces the loss of transmission efficiency due to interference in the 2.4GHz band. Enables fast, no delay wireless data connections between your computer and Bluetooth devices.
- System Support: The upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 dongle has a wide range of applications. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time using Bluetooth wireless. Such as Bluetooth speakers,keyboards,headsets,mice, and Bluetooth printers,etc. Only supports Windows 11/10/8.1, Not compatible with Mac OS, Linux,car stereo systems,XBOX,ps4 or TVs.
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