How-toBluetooth

How to add Bluetooth to a desktop PC

Check whether your desktop PC already has Bluetooth, and if not, add it with a USB adapter and confirm that Windows 11 or Windows 10 sees it.

  • Updated
  • 10 min
  • Beginner
Applies to
  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10

Rate this guide

Many desktop PCs have no Bluetooth, so headphones, speakers and phones cannot connect to them. Check what your PC has, then add Bluetooth with a small USB adapter.

Windows 10 no longer gets security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Adding Bluetooth works the same way, but plan to move to Windows 11, or enroll in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program if your PC cannot upgrade.

First, check whether your PC already has Bluetooth

Some desktops, especially those with built-in Wi-Fi, already include Bluetooth. Check before you buy anything.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Look for a category named Bluetooth. If it is there, select the arrow to expand it.
  3. Look for an entry with a maker's name, such as Intel or Realtek, or a name that includes "Bluetooth" or "Radio". Ignore entries named for protocols or enumerators.
  4. Open Settings then Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11, or Settings then Devices then Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10. If you see a Bluetooth switch, the PC has working Bluetooth.

If the Bluetooth category is missing, or the switch is missing, the PC probably has no Bluetooth radio, or its driver is not working. If you think the PC should have Bluetooth, see Bluetooth missing in Windows first.

Does my desktop need an adapter?A top-to-bottom flow chart with 6 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Does my desktop need anadapter?NoNoOpen Device Manager andSettings1Is there a Bluetooth categoryand switch?Yes: You are set. Pair a device2Check the PC maker'spage for built-in Bluetooth3Does the PC have it, but it isoff or missing?Yes: Fix the driver or setting4Buy a USB Bluetoothadapter and plug it inCheck it in Device Managerand pair a device
Stop as soon as Bluetooth works.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Start: Open Device Manager and Settings
  2. Question 1: Is there a Bluetooth category and switch? If yes: You are set. Pair a device. If no, go on to the next item.
  3. Step 2: Check the PC maker's page for built-in Bluetooth
  4. Question 3: Does the PC have it, but it is off or missing? If yes: Fix the driver or setting. If no, go on to the next item.
  5. Step 4: Buy a USB Bluetooth adapter and plug it in
  6. If nothing worked: Check it in Device Manager and pair a device

What you need

  • A free USB port on the PC. A Bluetooth USB adapter (sometimes called a dongle) is a small stick that plugs into it.
  • An adapter that lists your version of Windows in its specifications. Look at the maker's product page.
  • Your accessory, such as headphones or a speaker, to test with.

Bluetooth versions are backward compatible. A newer adapter works with older accessories and the other way around, with the features that both support. The version printed on a box is not the whole story: the adapter, the accessory and the Windows driver all affect the result.

What to look for when choosing a USB Bluetooth adapter
CheckWhy it matters
Windows 11 or Windows 10 listedShows the maker supports your system with a driver.
A plug that matches your portMost ports are the larger rectangular USB-A. Some PCs have only USB-C ports, so check what the front and back of your PC offer.
Driver from the maker or WindowsDrivers should come from the maker's own site or Windows Update, never from a download portal.
A recent Bluetooth versionHelps with newer accessories, but is not a promise of longer range or better sound.

Install the adapter

  1. Save your work. Adapters usually need no restart, but it is safer to have nothing open.
  2. If your adapter came with a disc or a note about drivers, read the maker's instructions. Some adapters work with the drivers built into Windows, and others need the maker's software, so follow the maker's instructions.
  3. Plug the adapter into a USB port. A port on the back of the PC, on the motherboard, is usually steadier than a loose front-panel one. A short USB extension cable lets you place the adapter away from other devices.
  4. Wait about a minute. Windows may show a message that it is setting up a device, or install the driver quietly in the background.
  5. Open Device Manager again. A Bluetooth category should now appear, with the adapter inside it.

Where to plug it in

Bluetooth shares a radio band with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and USB 3 devices can add interference near a dongle. If the connection stutters, try a different port or a short extension cable. See Bluetooth keeps disconnecting or stutters.

If Windows does not recognize it

Microsoft says to look for your adapter under the Bluetooth category in Device Manager; its name may include "Bluetooth" or "Radio". If no Bluetooth category appears, or the adapter shows with a warning icon, Windows may not have a working driver for it yet.

  1. In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and select Update driver.
  2. Select Search automatically for drivers. In Windows 10 the wording is Search automatically for updated driver software.
  3. Follow the prompts, select Close, and restart the PC if asked.
  4. Check Settings then Windows Update in Windows 11 (or Settings then Update & Security then Windows Update in Windows 10) for any waiting updates, then try again.

If that does not work, go to the adapter maker's support page for a driver for your Windows version. Type the address yourself or use the link on the product box; do not use a search-result ad. See safe downloads and fake driver sites. For more help with drivers, see how to fix driver problems in Device Manager.

Official drivers only

Never install a "driver updater" or a driver from a pop-up or an unknown site to fix a Bluetooth adapter. Use Windows Update or the adapter maker's own website.

Check the Bluetooth version (optional)

To see which Bluetooth version Windows reports, open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click the radio and select Properties. On the Advanced tab, look at the LMP number under Firmware Version. Microsoft's page on Bluetooth versions lists what each number means. For example, LMP 9 is Bluetooth 5.0, LMP 12 is 5.3 and LMP 14 is 6.0.

Pair your first device

Once the adapter appears and the Bluetooth switch is on, pair your accessory by following how to pair a Bluetooth device with Windows.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to open my PC?

No. A USB adapter plugs into an outside port. Some add-in cards that fit inside the case also include Bluetooth, but they need the PC switched off and unplugged, and are not needed for most people.

Can I use this adapter on a laptop too?

Yes, you can plug it into a laptop's USB port. Most laptops already have Bluetooth, so try the built-in one first. If it is missing or faulty, see Bluetooth missing in Windows.

Will the adapter work with my keyboard and mouse?

Usually yes, if they are Bluetooth models. Some keyboards and mice come with their own USB receiver instead, which is a different system and does not use Bluetooth. Check the box.

Does a newer adapter give me a longer range?

Not necessarily. Range depends on the devices, walls and nearby interference. Many devices work at around 33 feet (10 meters) in open space.

Was this guide helpful?

Choose from 1 star (not helpful) to 5 stars (very helpful)

Rating this guide needs JavaScript. You can send feedback on the contact page instead.

Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

Need more help?

If this guide did not solve your problem, send us a message and tell us what you tried.

Contact us

Beware of fake support

Real support never asks you to call an unfamiliar number, pay with gift cards or let a stranger control your computer.

Read how to stay safe online