How to Connect Your Bluetooth Printer or Scanner to Windows 11

Why Connect a Bluetooth Printer or Scanner?

Bluetooth 🔷 wireless technology connects devices without physical cords. Connecting a printer or scanner using Bluetooth removes the need for a USB cable to a Windows 11 computer. This wire-free connection lets hardware sit in any convenient location, resulting in a tidier desk.

What Happens When You Connect It?

Once connected, the computer recognizes the printer or scanner. Sending documents to print or scanning photos and papers directly from the PC becomes possible. Operating the hardware adds everyday convenience.

Step 1Get Your Printer or Scanner Ready

The Bluetooth 🔷 printer or scanner must remain turned on and put into pairing mode. Pairing mode makes the hardware discoverable so nearby computers can find it. Consulting the user manual clarifies the process if activating pairing mode proves unclear for specific hardware models.

1. Turn on your Bluetooth 🔷 printer or scanner.
2. Put it into “pairing mode” or “discoverable mode.” Check your printer or scanner’s manual if you’re not sure how to do this.

Step 2Turn on Bluetooth in Windows

Connecting a Bluetooth 🔷 printer or scanner requires enabling Bluetooth in Windows 11 first. Open Settings ⚙️, find the ‘Bluetooth & devices’ section, and ensure the Bluetooth toggle remains switched on. This allows the computer to find and connect to wireless devices.

1. Click the Start button. It looks like the Windows logo and is usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Click the Settings gear icon.
3. In the Settings window, click on Bluetooth & devices. This might be in the left-hand menu.
4. Find the Bluetooth toggle switch. Make sure it is turned On.

Step 3Add Your Printer or Scanner in Windows Settings

Once Bluetooth stays active on both the computer and printer, adding the hardware happens within Windows 11 settings. Go to 'Bluetooth & devices', then select 'Printers & scanners'. Click 'Add device' or 'Add printer or scanner' to let Windows search for the Bluetooth printer or scanner.

1. Go back to the Settings window.
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices.
3. Click on Printers & scanners.
4. Click the button that says Add device or Add printer or scanner.
5. Windows will start looking for nearby printers and scanners. This might take a minute or two.
6. When your Bluetooth printer or scanner shows up in the list, click on it. Then, click the Add device button that appears.

Step 4Follow Any On-Screen Prompts

After Windows 11 finds the Bluetooth printer or scanner, following any on-screen instructions carefully matters. Setup involves confirming a PIN code on the printer or computer, entering a code, or waiting for the installation to finish.

1. After you click "Add device" for your printer or scanner, Windows might show you more instructions.
2. Follow these instructions carefully. You might need to confirm a PIN on your printer/scanner, enter a code, or just wait for the installation to finish.
3. When it's done, you should see your printer or scanner listed under Printers & scanners in Windows Settings.

Step 5Test Your Connection

After connecting the Bluetooth printer or scanner, testing the connection in Windows 11 ensures proper operation. Printing a document or scanning an item serves as a good test. For printing, go to File > Print and select the new Bluetooth printer, then click Print.

1. Open a document or picture you want to print or scan.
2. For printing: Click File, then Print. Or press Ctrl + P. Make sure your new Bluetooth printer is chosen from the list of printers. Then, click Print.
3. For scanning: Open the Windows Scan app. You can search for it in the Start menu. Pick your Bluetooth scanner from the list, set up your scan options, and click Scan.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/Hardware/Bluetooth/pair-a-bluetooth-device-in-windows#bkmk_pair_a_bluetooth_printer_or_scanner_win11

Summary

Connecting a Bluetooth printer or scanner to Windows 11 involves making the device discoverable, turning on Bluetooth in Windows, adding the device through Settings, and following any prompts.