Bluetooth is a common feature on modern devices and allows you to connect your PC wirelessly to a wide range of accessories including headphones, keyboards, mice, printers and smartphones. If you are trying to pair a device but cannot find any Bluetooth options, you might be wondering whether your PC actually has Bluetooth built in.
In this article, we will explain how to check if your PC has Bluetooth, how to enable it and what to do if it is not available.
Do All PCs Have Bluetooth?
Not all PCs come with Bluetooth by default. Most laptops produced in the last few years include built-in Bluetooth as part of their wireless card. However, many desktop PCs do not unless they have a Wi-Fi card that also supports Bluetooth or a separate Bluetooth adapter.
If you cannot find Bluetooth settings on your PC, it does not always mean the feature is missing. It may just be disabled or require a driver update.
How to Check if Your PC Has Bluetooth
The easiest way to find out if your PC has Bluetooth is to open Device Manager. Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager from the list. Once inside, look for a category labelled Bluetooth. If you see it, your PC has Bluetooth capability. You can expand the category to see which Bluetooth adapter is installed.
If you do not see a Bluetooth category, check under Network adapters in the list. Some PCs group Bluetooth with wireless adapters, and you may find an entry with Bluetooth in its name there. If any devices have a yellow warning icon or are listed as unknown, a driver may be missing or corrupted.
Check in Windows Settings
You can also check through the Windows Settings menu. Open the Start menu and go to Settings, then click on Devices and choose Bluetooth & other devices. If your PC supports Bluetooth, there will be a toggle switch to turn it on or off. If there is no Bluetooth section or no toggle available, your PC may not have Bluetooth installed.
Sometimes the Bluetooth option is hidden because the device is disabled. You can return to Device Manager, right-click on any Bluetooth device found there and choose Enable device to re-activate it.
Use the System Information Tool
The System Information tool also provides details about installed hardware. Press the Windows key and R together to open the Run box, then type msinfo32 and press Enter. In the window that opens, expand the Components section in the left-hand menu, then select Network and click on Adapter. Look through the list to see if any Bluetooth devices are mentioned.
If no Bluetooth-related hardware appears in this list, your PC most likely does not have built-in Bluetooth.
What to Do If Your PC Does Not Have Bluetooth
If it turns out that your PC does not have Bluetooth hardware, you can easily add it using a USB Bluetooth adapter. These compact devices plug into a spare USB port and provide full Bluetooth functionality without the need to open your computer case.
Once plugged in, Windows will usually install the necessary drivers automatically. After a few moments, the Bluetooth settings will appear in the system menu and you can start pairing devices.
Alternatively, desktop users looking for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity can install an internal PCIe card that provides both features.
Why You Might Not See Bluetooth
If you are certain your PC includes Bluetooth but the options are missing, the driver may be disabled, outdated or corrupted. This can sometimes happen after a Windows update or a change in hardware.
To fix this, open Device Manager, locate the Bluetooth adapter and right-click it. Choose Update driver and allow Windows to search for updates. If this does not work, you can uninstall the device from Device Manager and restart your PC. Windows should automatically detect the missing device and reinstall the appropriate driver. If needed, you can visit your PC manufacturer’s support website to download the latest Bluetooth driver manually.
Final Thoughts
Checking whether your PC has Bluetooth is simple once you know where to look. Most laptops will include it as standard but desktop users may need to add it manually. By using Device Manager, Windows Settings or the System Information tool, you can confirm whether Bluetooth is built in and take the necessary steps to enable or install it. If your PC does not include Bluetooth, adding it with a USB adapter is quick, affordable and unlocks access to a wide range of wireless accessories.