Everyone knows that the Bluetooth function will be turned off in a newly purchased laptop. Many users do not know how to turn on the radio module, and this causes difficulties in further work. Further in the article we will consider options for launching Bluetooth on a laptop in Windows 7.
How to find Bluetooth location
If your laptop runs on Windows 7, then it will be quite easy for you to find where the wireless module is located. Many owners do not know whether their laptop is equipped with such a function, and even if they know it, its inclusion will definitely raise many questions. You can check the presence of a radio module by opening "Control Panel" by clicking on the tab "Administration" and then clicking "Computer Management". In the pop-up window you will see the item "Device Manager". After going through it, a list of equipment will be displayed in which you need to find "Bluetooth radio module". If it is not in the list, then your computer does not have a wireless module. If there is a question mark next to it, you will need to install or update its drivers.
There are quite a few options to enable the wireless module. All of them are simple and do not require special skills from the user. With simple steps you can turn on Bluetooth in the way that suits you best.
Method 1: Enable on the keyboard
Many laptop models have a key on their keyboard Fn, with which you can control the inclusion of Wi-Fi, adjust the brightness and sound, and much more. You can also turn on Bluetooth using this key. To do this, you need to look at the keyboard and find one of the function buttons F1-F12, a drawing of a wireless module. Pressing keys at the same time Fn and, for example, F2 will start the radio module.
Method 2: Standard activation
You can also turn it on using the Bluetooth on/off icon on the taskbar in notifications. By clicking on it, you can find out the status of the radio module and configure it for further data transmission or reception.
Method 3: Activation in Device Manager
You can also launch Bluetooth using the device manager. To do this you will need to do the following:
The options discussed above are quite simple and should not cause any difficulties. The radio module function is very popular among users, so many have questions related to turning it on or off. By using one of the methods presented, you will solve this problem without resorting to outside help.
Despite the emergence of new methods of data transmission, Bluetooth technology still remains in demand. Almost all laptops are equipped with a wireless communication module, so the question of how to enable Bluetooth on a laptop periodically arises among different users.
Hardware enable
On some laptop models, the Bluetooth module is controlled using a hardware switch located on the device body. Sometimes the switch immediately turns on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so be careful.
Another option for enabling the module is to use hot keys. For example, for a number of Acer laptop models, you can turn on Bluetooth using the Fn+F3 combination. The module is enabled in a similar way on ASUS (Fn+F2) and HP (Fn+F12) laptops. To find the right button, carefully study the row F1-F12. Look for the key with the Bluetooth icon and press it in combination with the Fn button. 
Pay attention to the indicator lights. When the wireless communication modules are turned on, the corresponding icon should light up. If it is enabled, then you can proceed to setting up the adapter in the system.
Installing drivers
After enabling the adapter in hardware, you need to check that the wireless module drivers are installed correctly in the system:
- Open Device Manager.
- Find hardware that supports Bluetooth.
- Make sure the device is working properly.
Update your device drivers if necessary. Choose automatic search. If this installation method does not help, go to the laptop manufacturer’s website and download the software for your laptop model.
Establishing a connection
Some manufacturers (Samsung, Lenovo, ASUS) pre-install utilities for managing the Bluetooth adapter on laptops. If you have such a program on your laptop, then it is better to use it to add/remove devices and transfer files. If there is no proprietary utility, or you cannot use it, then you can establish a connection via Bluetooth using the built-in system tools.
Windows 7
If you turned the hardware switch to the On position or used hotkeys to start the adapter, and then verified that the wireless module software is working correctly, look for the Bluetooth icon in the notification area. With it you can quickly add a new device.
If there is no tray icon, use the following instructions:
Another way to pair with Bluetooth equipment:
The system will begin searching for available devices. If the adapter drivers are working normally and Bluetooth is enabled on the device you want to connect to the laptop, then in a special window you will see the equipment available for connection. If you connect a phone, a code will appear on the screen that you must enter on your mobile device to establish pairing.
If the built-in Windows tools do not help solve the problem with adding a new Bluetooth device, try using third-party programs to establish pairing, for example, BlueSoleil or WIDCOMM. These utilities are suitable for different laptop models and wireless adapters, establishing a connection with peripheral devices and allowing you to send and receive files.
Windows 8
On Windows 8, Bluetooth configuration is carried out through the Charms panel, which can be called up by moving the cursor to the upper right corner of the screen (or using the Win + C combination). Further:
The adapter is enabled and configured - now you can add a new device. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone or other device that you want to connect to your laptop. Go back to the Change PC settings section and open the Devices section. Click "Add Device" to pair your equipment wirelessly.
On Windows 8.1, the order in which the adapter is turned on has undergone minor changes:
- Call the Charms panel, open “Options”.
- Go to the "Change PC settings" section.
- Open the Computer and Devices tab.
- Find and open the Bluetooth submenu.
The laptop will automatically begin searching for available devices to connect. At this point, Bluetooth should already be running on the device you want to connect to the laptop.
Windows 10
With the release of a new version of the system from Microsoft, the procedure for turning on Bluetooth and adding a new device has changed a little. Since the Charms panel is no longer available in Windows 10, you will have to go another way:
- Open Start and launch Settings.
- Go to the "Bluetooth" tab.
The computer will begin searching for Bluetooth devices. There is also a button “Other settings” - click on it to make sure that your laptop is detected by other devices. 
In the "Discoverable" field, set permission to allow Bluetooth devices to see your computer's name. Additionally, you can enable notifications and display the wireless connection icon in the notification area. Using this icon, you can subsequently quickly add new devices, view connected equipment, and transfer and receive files.
Let me start with the fact that almost every laptop has a built-in Bluetooth module. Not even on the newest models. This means that Bluetooth on a laptop should work without installing additional devices. I will introduce USB adapters that are necessary for desktop computers. Since there simply is no built-in module. Although, some motherboards already have built-in Bluetooth.
In this article I will try to show in detail how to enable Bluetooth on a laptop. How to do this in the operating system Windows 10, Windows 8 (8.1) and Windows 7. I will also show you how to set up a wireless module and connect different devices to your laptop. I have a mouse and wireless headphones connected to my laptop via Bluetooth. Very comfortably. You can also connect, for example, a wireless speaker, keyboard, mobile phone, etc.
All that is needed for Bluetooth to work on a laptop is the installed driver. The driver must be downloaded and installed from the official website of the laptop manufacturer. For your model and installed Windows system. But don’t rush to go to the manufacturer’s website and download drivers. It is quite possible that you already have everything installed and working. Especially if you have Windows 10 installed. As a rule, it installs the necessary drivers itself. Then you just need to turn on Bluetooth in the laptop settings and you can use it.
Where to find Bluetooth on a laptop and how to turn it on?
Most likely, you already have everything turned on and everything is working. Regardless of Windows installed, if the Bluetooth driver is installed, there will be a blue “Bluetooth Devices” icon in the notification panel. This means it is turned on and ready to go. Check on your laptop. In rare cases, this icon may be disabled in Settings.
By clicking on this icon, you can perform various operations: add a device, show connected devices, receive/send a file, configure the adapter itself, etc.
If you don’t have such an icon, then there are three options:
- Bluetooth is disabled on the laptop and needs to be turned on.
- Removed the BT icon itself from the notification panel.
- Or the required driver is not installed.
Let's try to turn it on.
BT on Windows 10
The easiest way is to open the notification center and click on the appropriate button.
Or go to the settings, then to the "Devices" section, and on the "Bluetooth and other devices" tab, turn on the module with the slider.
I wrote a separate article on Windows 10: . After this, an icon should appear in the notification panel, as I showed above.
How to connect the device?
Click on "Add Bluetooth or other device" and select the appropriate item in the next window.
Turn on Bluetooth on a laptop with Windows 8 and 8.1
Opening the side panel (you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + C) and select "Options". Next, click on “Change computer settings.” Go to the "Bluetooth" section and turn on the module with the switch.
Windows will begin searching for available devices to connect to.
An icon should appear on the notification panel through which you can manage connections.
How to activate Bluetooth in Windows 7?
If there is no blue icon in the notification panel, then go to “Network and Sharing Center” – “Change adapter settings” and see if the “Bluetooth Network Connection” adapter is there. If not, then install the driver for your laptop model, or check for the presence of an adapter in the device manager (more on this later in the article). And if there is, then see if it is turned on. It may need to be enabled on the laptop.
How to connect the device?
Click on the "Bluetooth" icon and select "Add a device..."
A new window will open, in which connect your device following the instructions.
Or go to the "Control Panel", in the "Devices and Printers" section. And click on the "Add device" button. You can also open the properties of "Bluetooth Adapter" and enable the display of the icon in the notification area. This will make it easier to connect and manage devices.
How to check and enable Bluetooth in Device Manager on a laptop?
If you cannot find Bluetooth on your laptop, there are no settings, adapter, buttons, icons, etc., then most likely the necessary drivers are not installed. You need to go to device manager and check this. Or maybe you just need to use a BT adapter.
Open Device Manager. You can right-click on My Computer and select Properties. In the new window, go to "Device Manager". Or press the keyboard shortcut Win+R and run the command devmgmt.msc.
There you should see a "Bluetooth" section (may be called differently in Windows 7), which will contain the module itself (the name may also be different). This is what I have on my laptop:
If it exists, but with an "arrow" (icon next to the adapter), then just right-click on it and select “Engage”.
Perhaps you don’t have anything similar to Blues in your device manager. In this case, you need to download and install the driver.
Go to the official website of your laptop manufacturer. Using the search (or menu), find your model, and in the “Support”, “Downloads”, etc. sections, download the driver for the Bluetooth module. Install it, restart your laptop and after that everything should work.
Users often encounter problems when connecting a computer and various peripherals using Bluetooth. Installed and turned on devices completely refuse to detect each other or communicate. A few simple recommendations for installing, connecting the adapter and adding devices that support Bluetooth will help you resolve these problems.
Bluetooth needs to be turned on and made discoverable
First of all, make sure that the devices you want to pair are indeed equipped with Bluetooth. This is clearly indicated in the documentation, and laptops have an additional designation on one of the stickers on the bottom cover - Bluetooth. Some budget laptop models, despite having all the signs of connectivity, do not have an installed module. However, even if the module is there, it is initially disabled and the computer or phone simply does not see it.
Especially many ways turn on bluetooth on laptops. This could be a switch on one of the sides of the case, a button with a Bluetooth icon, or a keyboard shortcut. Often the button or switch is indicated by an antenna icon, and it also turns on Wi-Fi.
There may not be any enable elements at all, but there is an icon in the tray on which you need to call up the menu, right-click and select the enable option. It is impossible to list all the options, the main thing is to find this control element and set it to position - ON. When the module is turned on, the Bluetooth icon will appear in the tray or it will change color and become active.
On mobile phones Bluetooth connection it must not only be activated, but also made visible to others. Managing Bluetooth settings can usually be found under Applications phone main menu.
Once turned on, the Bluetooth symbol will also appear on the display. Activation must be completed Search for devices, which will show who you can connect with. If the required device is not found, check whether the adapter is installed correctly on the computer.
Bluetooth adapter must be installed and discoverable
A Bluetooth adapter is used to connect devices to desktop computers. It connects to a USB port. Usually the device comes with a software disc, but if it is not there, Windows 7 will install its own drivers when connected.
As a result, four devices will be identified − Generic Bluetooth Radio And Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, as well as two Bluetooth network devices. In some cases, another device is detected - Bluetooth peripheral, which remains unidentified.
The solution to this problem is described in the articleSetting up Bluetooth in Windows 7.
Now you need to make the computer itself visible for detection. To do this, open the Bluetooth icon menu in the tray and select Open options. On the bookmark Options, default, computer visibility is disabled- this does not allow connect bluetooth on your phone or laptop. Enable this option and check the others, then apply the settings.
Repeat Search for devices on the phone, now the computer is in the list, you can start setting up the connection.
To communicate, the device must be added
To create a pair for Bluetooth connections Let's use the icon menu item - Add device. The computer will find all objects available for communication, select the one you need and click Further. For security, when connecting, you are asked for a code that must be entered on your phone or laptop. Code entry time is limited.
For devices without a keyboard, such as a mouse or headphones, after the second attempt you will be offered connection options, select the one you need. As a result, the menu item Show Bluetooth devices will provide a choice for managing the required object.
Bluetooth, as a medium for transmitting large amounts of data, is practically not used due to the widespread use of Wi-Fi.
However, this technology is still widely used to connect wireless mice and headsets.
In today's review we will talk about turning on Bluetooth on a laptop.
At the very beginning, we should mention the fact that for the normal functioning of the Bluetooth wireless adapter, you should take care of installing the correct drivers .
The fact is that after reinstallation, the operating system installs the drivers automatically and often after installing such drivers, the device may not work correctly.
Therefore, you should take care of this and download them from the official website of the equipment manufacturer.
Setting up Bluetooth in Windows 7
Setting up Bluetooth in Windows 8
To enable Bluetooth in Windows 8, you must:
- Move the mouse cursor to one of the corners of the display and open the Charms panel, then click “Options”.
- Select “Change computer settings”, and then select “Wireless network”.
- In the wireless modules management menu, you can enable wireless adapters, including Bluetooth.
In order for devices to be able to connect via Bluetooth, go to the “Devices” menu and click “Add device”.
If the above method did not help, try going to the device manager.
To do this, press the Win + R key combination and enter the command “devmgmt.msc” without quotes and click “OK”.
In the menu that opens, go to the properties of the adapter and look at the warnings for errors.
Go to the “Driver” tab and pay attention to the driver developer (supplier) and development date.
As shown in the example, the driver is 9 years old and it is advisable to install a newer version from the manufacturer.
Setting up Bluetooth in Windows 8.1
To enable Bluetooth in Windows 8.1, you must:
- Move the mouse cursor to one of the corners of the display and open the Charms panel, then click “Settings” and “Change computer settings.”
- Next, go to the “Computer and Devices” menu, and then go to the “Bluetooth” submenu.
After selecting this menu, the wireless module will automatically start searching for available Bluetooth devices, also automatically making the laptop visible to other devices.
Hardware enable Bluetooth on a laptop
At the moment, most laptop manufacturers do not make a separate button to turn on Bluetooh and Wi-Fi, but combine the activation of both wireless modules with one button, or rather with the combination of the Fn keys + one of the function keys from F1 to A12.
By paying attention to the function (F1 to F12) keys of your laptop, you can find a wireless connection icon on one of them.
Almost all laptops have light indicators for the operation of wireless modules, and a lit indicator indicates that the adapter is turned on, otherwise there is no backlight.
Operating indicators are placed by laptop manufacturers, usually on one of the sides or front of the laptop.
Quite rarely, indicators are located directly next to the touchpad or on the laptop display case.
Some HP laptop models have an indicator light built into the keyboard button (F12).
Below is a list of keyboard shortcuts that enable/disable the Bluetooth module for some laptops.
Acer: Fn+F3
Asus, Dell, Gigabyte: Fn + F2
Fujitsu: Fn+F5
How to easily enable and configure Bluetooth on a laptop
How to enable Bluetooth on an Asus, HP, Dell, Acer laptop
