How to Connect Your Bluetooth Printer or Scanner to Windows 11
Connecting a Bluetooth printer or scanner to Windows 11 lets you print and scan wirelessly, freeing up desk space and offering more placement options. A Bluetooth printer or scanner uses short-range radio waves to communicate with your PC, eliminating the need for USB cables.
This connection process involves a few simple steps within Windows 11’s settings. You’ll usually need to put your printer or scanner into pairing mode first. Windows 11 then searches for available Bluetooth devices.
Once your PC finds the device, you accept the pairing request. Windows 11 has included Bluetooth support for printers and scanners since its initial release. Following these steps ensures your new wireless device is ready to go.
Ensure your printer or scanner is in pairing mode. Then, go to Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and click “Add device” to find and connect your Bluetooth peripheral. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
Why Connect a Bluetooth Printer or Scanner?
Bluetooth wireless technology connects devices without wires. Connecting a printer or scanner using Bluetooth removes the need for a USB cable to a Windows 11 computer. This wire-free connection lets you place printers or scanners in any convenient location, resulting in a tidier desk.
What Happens When You Connect It?
Once connected, your computer will recognize the printer or scanner. You’ll then be able to send documents to print or start scanning photos and papers directly from your PC. Using your devices becomes a lot more convenient.
Step 1Get Your Printer or Scanner Ready
Your Bluetooth printer or scanner must be turned on and put into pairing mode. Putting the specific Bluetooth printer or scanner into pairing mode makes that device visible to your computer for connection. If you are unsure how to put your particular printer or scanner into pairing mode, consult its user manual.
- Turn on your Bluetooth printer or scanner.
- 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
To connect your Bluetooth printer or scanner, you first need to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11. Go to Settings, find the ‘Bluetooth & devices’ section, and make sure the Bluetooth toggle is switched on. This allows your computer to find and connect to wireless devices.
- Click the Start button. It looks like the Windows logo and is usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Click the Settings gear icon.
- In the Settings window, click on Bluetooth & devices. This might be in the left-hand menu.
- Find the Bluetooth toggle switch. Make sure it is turned On.
Step 3Add Your Printer or Scanner in Windows Settings
Once Bluetooth is active on both your computer and printer, add your device in Windows 11 settings. Go to ‘Bluetooth & devices’, then select ‘Printers & scanners’. Click ‘Add device’ or ‘Add printer or scanner’ to let Windows search for your Bluetooth printer or scanner.
- Go back to the Settings window.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices.
- Click on Printers & scanners.
- Click the button that says Add device or Add printer or scanner.
- Windows will start looking for nearby printers and scanners. This might take a minute or two.
- 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 your Bluetooth printer or scanner, carefully follow any instructions that appear on your screen. This setup process may involve confirming a PIN code on your printer or computer, entering a code, or simply waiting for the installation to finish.
- After you click “Add device” for your printer or scanner, Windows might show you more instructions.
- 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.
- When it’s done, you should see your printer or scanner listed under Printers & scanners in Windows Settings.
Step 5Test Your Connection
After connecting your Bluetooth printer or scanner, test the connection in Windows 11 to ensure it’s working properly. Try printing a document or scanning an item. For printing, go to File > Print and select your new Bluetooth printer, then click Print.
- Open a document or picture you want to print or scan.
- 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.
- 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.
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Summary
Connecting your Bluetooth printer or scanner to Windows 11 involves making your device discoverable, turning on Bluetooth in Windows, adding the device through Settings, and following any prompts.
How do I make my Bluetooth printer discoverable?
To make your Bluetooth printer discoverable, ensure it’s turned on and in pairing mode, just like when you first set it up. Also, check that Bluetooth is enabled on your Windows 11 computer by going to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Sometimes, updating your printer’s drivers can resolve discoverability issues.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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