Bluetooth is a convenient culling to wires. With Bluetooth, you can connect supported phones, mice, headsets, printers, keyboards, tablets, and many other devices to your computer, every bit long as information technology too supports Bluetooth.

Overall, Bluetooth is pretty unproblematic to utilise, but it can be a chip disruptive to new users. To connect two Bluetooth devices together, one (or both) of the devices must be "discoverable." And this initial Bluetooth connectedness procedure is known equally "pairing."

Sound confusing? Nosotros'll show you everything yous need to set up Bluetooth for Windows 7.

Notation: It's time to upgrade to Windows ten! Read our article on how to manage Bluetooth on Windows 10 when yous upgrade your computer!

Plough on Bluetooth on Your Figurer and Device

First, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer. Many laptops come with Bluetooth support, only it may exist disabled by default to save bombardment power. Often, you tin find a push on your laptop's keyboard that toggles Bluetooth. You lot might also have an icon in the Arrangement Tray at the bottom-right of the screen or an option in your reckoner manufacturer's included software.

If your computer doesn't have Bluetooth support (which is the case for many desktops), you can purchase a cheap Bluetooth adapter. This is a small USB dongle that provides Bluetooth access on any machine.

Side by side, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on the device you want to pair with your reckoner. Bluetooth is enabled by default on Bluetooth mice and headsets, but information technology may be disabled on smartphones and tablets.

The verbal location of this selection volition depend on your device.

On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to admission Quick Settings, then make sure you haveBluetooth enabled. iOS users should open up Command Center by swiping up from the lesser of the screen (iPhone viii or earlier) or swiping down from the acme-correct corner of the screen (iPhone X or later). Then tap theBluetooth icon to enable information technology, if it's not already.

Make the PC and Devices Discoverable

While Bluetooth is now enabled on both your computer and device, they still can't come across each other. For a Bluetooth device to see another, information technology must be discoverable. In discoverable mode, your PC or device sends out signals advertisement itself. This is disabled by default for security purposes; it merely needs to exist enabled when you're pairing devices.

You lot merely need to make one of the devices discoverable. Doing this for either your PC or the device you desire to connect will work, but information technology doesn't injure to do it for both.

To make your Windows vii PC discoverable, click the Offset button and select Devices and Printers on the correct side of the Offset bill of fare. Then right-click your reckoner proper name (or Bluetooth adapter proper noun) in the list of devices and select Bluetooth settings.

If you need to do this on newer Windows versions as well, we accept a guide on how to connect your telephone using Bluetooth on Windows 10.

Bluetooth Settings Menu Windows 7

Click the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer checkbox in the Bluetooth Settings window, and so click OK. Your reckoner will at present be discoverable to other devices.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Options

To make your phone discoverable, go into its Bluetooth options. If you use Android, you lot'll find this atSettings > Connected devices. On iOS, head toSettings > Bluetooth. Both volition display a bulletin likeAt present discoverable as [Proper noun] when the device is ready to pair.

If you're pairing a device like a Bluetooth mouse or headphones, follow the instructions in the manual to put the device into pairing mode. Typically, you'll need to hold the power button for several seconds or something similar.

Pair the Device

You lot tin can at present pair the device with your figurer. If you've made your PC discoverable, you can select your PC from the list of available devices that shows on your phone or tablet to initiate the pairing procedure.

Alternatively, you can pair a device from your PC, as long as that device is discoverable. Starting time, click the Add a device button in the Devices and Printers panel of Windows 7. (If you want to pair a Bluetooth printer, click Add a printer instead.)

Windows volition await for discoverable Bluetooth devices and present them in the list. Select i and click Next to add together it.

Windows 7 Add Bluetooth Device

If you don't meet your Bluetooth device hither, ensure that it's discoverable and has Bluetooth enabled. As we mentioned to a higher place, this may require a sure button input on Bluetooth accessories similar keyboards.

For many devices, you'll come across a passcode. Ensure the central on your PC and the device are the same. This helps you ensure y'all're connecting the device to the correct machine, and not another nearby computer.

You'll have to agree to the pairing request to initiate the connection. When pairing a telephone, y'all'll need to confirm the lawmaking on both your phone and your computer. A window volition pop upward asking y'all to confirm the connection. This helps prevent other people from pairing with your device when it'southward in discoverable mode.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Pairing Code

One time you ostend, Windows may install drivers every bit needed. And then you're all set to start using it.

You can double-click the device in the Devices and Printers window to access more than features, such as the power to transport files and play music. The exact features bachelor will depend on your device.

Windows 7 Bluetooth Device Functions

Discover, Pair, and Become

At present that your device and computer are paired, they'll continue working together. You won't take to go through the pairing process each time you want to use the device, and they'll connect automatically when they're in range and turned on.

When you're non actually pairing devices, for your security, y'all should make certain that both the device and your PC aren't discoverable. Y'all may also desire to disable Bluetooth when you're not using information technology, which can assistance save bombardment power on both your computer and your device.

For more on this topic, check out our FAQ guide to Bluetooth.

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1810 Manufactures Published)

Ben is the Editor in Principal at MakeUseOf. He left his It chore to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'due south been roofing tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more than as a professional writer for over 8 years.

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