HP PCs - Using Bluetooth Devices (Windows 10, 8)

hp-concentra-wrapper-portlet

Actions

Loading...

HP PCs - Using Bluetooth Devices (Windows 10, 8)

Connecting Bluetooth devices

Using Bluetooth to transfer photos from your device

Connecting Bluetooth devices to send or print files

Adding the Bluetooth icon to lower-right corner of the desktop

Tips for finding a Bluetooth device

This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers with Windows 10 or Windows 8.

note:

Depending on your version of Windows, some graphics and information in this document might vary slightly.

Bluetooth wireless technology provides short-range Wi-Fi communications that replace the physical cable connections that traditionally link electronic devices, such as printers, audio devices, and computers. Some examples include:

Sharing pictures with other Bluetooth devices nearby.
Sending files to a Bluetooth printer.
Transferring files to nearby Bluetooth computers.
Listening to music on a Bluetooth headset.

Bluetooth networking comes pre-installed in some HP and Compaq computers. If it was not pre-installed, you can add it to your computer by installing Bluetooth hardware. Installing Bluetooth hardware can be as simple as inserting a Bluetooth USB dongle into an open USB port and waiting for Windows to detect and set up the new hardware.

Figure : Bluetooth USB dongle

Connecting Bluetooth devices

Before you can use a Bluetooth device, you must establish a Bluetooth connection.

Connecting Bluetooth devices in Windows 10

Use the following steps to establish a connection:

Make sure the device you want to connect to is discoverable. For instructions, see the section of this document titled Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable.
In Windows, search for and open Bluetooth and other devices settings.

The Settings window opens to the Devices screen.
On the Bluetooth & other devices tab, toggle the Bluetooth setting to On.

Figure : Turning on Bluetooth
Click Add Bluetooth or other device to start searching for the device.

Figure : Clicking add a Bluetooth device

The Add a device window opens.
Click Bluetooth as the kind of device you want to add.

Figure : Clicking Bluetooth
Select the Bluetooth device you want to add from the list.

If the device you are adding does not require verification, Windows adds the device automatically.

Some Bluetooth devices require verification before pairing. If the device requires verification, a message displays on the computer with a passcode.

Figure : Selecting your Bluetooth device

note:

If your computer cannot find the Bluetooth device you want to connect to, make sure it is discoverable. To do this, check the settings on the device or check the suggestions in Tips for finding a Bluetooth device.
Verify that the PIN is the same on the device, then click Connect.
Immediately check for an authorization message on the device you are connecting to.

If you are pairing a phone or tablet, you might need to confirm the pairing on the device screen.

If you are connecting to another computer, you might see a message in the lower-right corner of the desktop, prompting you to allow access. You must allow access before another window displays where you can confirm the passcode.

Figure : Example of an authorization message after connecting your Bluetooth device
Follow the on-screen instructions on the computer and the device to confirm that the passcodes match.

note:

If you get an error message that the device was not added because of an authentication error, you might not have confirmed the passcode quickly enough. Try pairing the device again.

When the device is successfully paired the Your device is ready to go! message displays.

Figure : Example of a Bluetooth device successfully paired

Connecting Bluetooth devices in Windows 8

Video of connecting Bluetooth devices in Windows 8

View the following video (in English) to learn more about connecting Bluetooth devices.

View this video in full screen on YouTube.

Use the following steps to establish a connection:

In Windows, search for and open Bluetooth settings.

Windows searches for Bluetooth devices.

If Windows cannot find your device, check the suggestions in Tips for finding a Bluetooth device.
Figure : Windows searches for Bluetooth devices
Select the Bluetooth device you want to add from the list, then click Pair.

Figure : Pair button in the Manage Bluetooth devices window

If the device you are adding does not require verification, Windows adds the device automatically. Skip to Step 6 to continue.

Some Bluetooth devices require verification before pairing. If the device requires verification, a window displays on the computer with a passcode.

Figure : Bluetooth pairing code
Immediately check for an authorization message on the device to which you are connecting.

If you are pairing a phone or tablet, you might need to confirm the pairing on the device screen.

If you are connecting to another computer, you might see a message in the lower-right corner of the desktop, prompting you to allow access. You must allow access before another window displays where you can confirm the passcode.

Figure : Example of an authorization message when connecting to a computer with Windows
Follow the on-screen instructions on the computer and the device to confirm the passcodes match.

note:

If you get an error message that the device was not added because of an authentication error, you might not have confirmed the passcode quickly enough. Try pairing the device again.
Wait while Windows configures the device.
To make sure the device finished installing correctly, in Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
Look in the Devices and Printers window for the device you added.

Figure : Devices and Printers window
Select the device you added, then click Connect using, and select Direct connection or Access point, depending on the device.

Figure : Connect using Direct connection selection in the Devices and Printers window

Your computer now has a Bluetooth connection to the device.

Using Bluetooth to transfer photos from your device

Use the following steps to transfer pictures from a Bluetooth phone, tablet or other Bluetooth enabled device:

Click the Bluetooth icon in the lower-right corner of the desktop, then click Receive a File.

Figure : Receive a File selection

note:

If the Bluetooth icon does not display in the lower-right corner of the desktop, use the Adding the Bluetooth icon to the lower-right corner of the desktop section of this document.

Bluetooth File Transfer waits for a connection.

Figure : Waiting for a connection
On your phone or other device, connect to the computer using Bluetooth, and send a file.

The computer receives the file. If prompted, click Next.

Figure : File is being received
Click Browse to select a folder on the computer to save the file, then click OK.
Click Finish to save the file to the selected folder or click Browse to select a folder on the computer to save the file.

Figure : Save the file to this location

The photos have been transferred to your computer.

Connecting Bluetooth devices to send or print files

Bluetooth enabled computers and mobile devices can be connected to share files. You can also use Bluetooth to print on a Bluetooth enabled printer.

Using Bluetooth to send files from your computer

Complete the following steps to send files from your computer to another computer or mobile device, such as a phone or tablet, using Bluetooth.

Open the Windows desktop.
Click the Bluetooth icon in the lower-right corner of the desktop, then click Send a File.

note:

If the Bluetooth icon does not display in the lower-right corner of the desktop, use the Adding the Bluetooth icon to the lower-right corner of the desktop section of this document.

Figure : Send a File selection
Select the other computer or device where you want to send the files, then click Next.

Figure : Select where to send your files
Click Browse. Navigate to the folder containing the file you want to send. Select the file, then click Open.

Figure : Browse window
Click Next.

Figure : Select the files to send

The computer sends the file to the other computer or device.
On the receiving device, click the Bluetooth icon in the lower-right corner of the desktop, then click Receive a File.

Figure : Receive a File selection
When the file is transferred, click Finish.

The file has been transferred to your other computer or device.

Connecting to a Bluetooth printer

The computer can be connected to a Bluetooth device or printer.

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable by the printer. Use the information in the Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable section of this document.
Install the software that comes with the Bluetooth printer. See the printer User Guide for instructions.
During installation, the computer prompts you to select how the printer is connecting. Select the Bluetooth option, and continue the installation process.
Send a printable file from any application or folder to test the printer.

Adding the Bluetooth icon to lower-right corner of the desktop

To add the Bluetooth icon to the lower-right of the desktop so you can quickly add a device or change Bluetooth settings, complete the following instructions:

Adding the Bluetooth icon to lower-right corner of the desktop in Windows 10

Use the following steps to add the Bluetooth icon

In Windows, search for and open Bluetooth and other devices settings.

The Settings window opens to the Devices screen.
On the Bluetooth & other devices tab, toggle the Bluetooth setting to On.

Figure : Turning on Bluetooth

The Bluetooth icon displays in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop.

note:

You might need to click the up arrow in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop for the Bluetooth icon to display.

Adding the Bluetooth icon to lower-right corner of the desktop in Windows 8

Use the following steps to add the Bluetooth icon

In Windows, search for and open Change Bluetooth settings.
On the Bluetooth Settings screen, select the box next to Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area, and then click OK.

Figure : Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area selection in the Bluetooth Settings window

The Bluetooth icon displays in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop.

note:

You might need to click the up arrow in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop for the Bluetooth icon to display.

Tips for finding a Bluetooth device

If Windows cannot detect the Bluetooth device, check the following items:

Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on

Make sure that Wi-Fi communication is turned on (notebook computers only).

If Wi-Fi communication is disabled, or Airplane Mode is enabled, the computer does not send or receive a Bluetooth signal. Follow these steps to turn on Wi-Fi:

In Windows, search for and open Turn wireless communication on or off.
Check the status of wireless devices. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On and Airplane mode is turned Off.

Figure : Windows 10: Toggle switch to turn wireless devices on or off

Figure : Windows 8: Toggle switch to turn wireless devices on or off

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable

Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on and set to be discoverable on the device. When a device is set to be discoverable, it uses radio signals to broadcast its location to other Bluetooth devices and computers.

A device such as a wireless mouse or a keyboard might have a button on it that you need to push.
A device such as a Bluetooth mobile phone might have a setting in the menu that you need to select to turn on Bluetooth so the device can be discovered.

note:

If you do not know how to set your device to be discoverable, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer website.
A device such as computer might need to have the Discovery setting turned on.

To turn on Discovery in Windows, search for and open Change Bluetooth settings.

The Bluetooth Settings window opens.

In the Discovery area on the Options tab, click Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC, and then click OK.

Figure : Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC selection in the Bluetooth Settings window

Check device settings and location

Check the following items to troubleshoot Bluetooth issues.

Make sure the device is turned on, is not low on battery power, and is not in sleep mode.
Make sure the device is within wireless range of your computer, usually within six to nine feet. If you are not sure if the device is in range, move it closer to your computer, or put the device and computer in the same room.
Make sure there are no other devices interfering with the wireless device, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, or other wireless devices.
If your computer uses an external Bluetooth adapter, make sure the adapter is attached and installed, and is working correctly.
If Bluetooth is integrated in your computer, especially a notebook computer, make sure the Bluetooth radio transmitter is turned on. Many notebook computers have a button to turn the transmitter on and off. If you are not sure how to turn on the transmitter, check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer website.