Get all your Bluetooth enabled devices working the way you want
Most Bluetooth enabled devices are easy to connect to each other, or "pair," so you can enjoy the wireless lifestyle without any hassles. If you're having trouble getting two devices to work together, like a mobile phone with a hands-free car system or some stereo headphones with a music player, you may just need some advice on how Bluetooth technology works.
The sections below tell you how to connect devices and what to do if you think the problem is not your fault but caused by a device.
When to contact the manufacturer
If you suspect there's a problem with your device, contact the manufacturer. This advice is not intended to replace the support you might receive from the device manufacturer, especially if the product is defective.
The Bluetooth SIG is a trade association
We do not make, manufacture or sell Bluetooth products. We can guide you in the right direction and provide some basic tips to help you use your Bluetooth enabled products. We also have a Bluetooth FAQ page you might find helpful.
Our members help advance the technology and create the innovative Bluetooth products that enable the wireless lifestyle for all to enjoy. If you need Bluetooth product specific information, technical support, drivers, or other technical information, try contacting the manufacturer of your device directly. We have more than 18,000 Bluetooth SIG member companies.
Connecting your Bluetooth enabled devices
Often it's so simple to connect two Bluetooth enabled devices that you don't have to look at any instructions. But there are tens of thousands of different types and brands of Bluetooth enabled devices, from phones and headsets to cars and computers. If you run into problems getting some devices to work properly or pair with each other, learning a little about how Bluetooth technology works could help you fix the problem. To successfully get your Bluetooth products to work together, there are a few things you should understand before you get started.
How to find drivers
A driver is a small software program that allows a device to communicate with a computer. Without drivers, the devices you connect to your computer—for example, a mobile phone, MP3 player, or digital camera—won't appear in your computer's list of connected devices and won't work with your computer.
There is no such thing as a "Bluetooth driver." But if you have a Bluetooth enabled device, you may need a driver to get that device to work properly with your computer. How you get drivers and install them depends on whether you have a Windows PC, a Macintosh, or a computer running another operating system. Most computers automatically download and install drivers when you connect a new device to them for the first time, so you don't have to worry about this. However, there may be times when you need to install or update a driver yourself on your computer.
If you think you are missing a driver for a Bluetooth enabled device that you want to connect to your computer, contact the manufacturer. The device manufacturer should also be able to tell you if there is a newer version of the driver available for their product. The Bluetooth SIG does not distribute drivers for Bluetooth enabled devices.
Make sure both Bluetooth devices you want to pair are turned on
This may seem obvious, but people often overlook the most glaring issue. To pair two Bluetooth enabled devices, both of them must be turned on and fully powered or charged, if they use batteries.
Even though the basic design of Bluetooth technology provides for extremely low power consumption, the Bluetooth signal can be turned off to save even more power. This can also be help in situations such as airplane takeoffs and landings, when all devices need to be turned off.
Bluetooth functionality is often turned on in software, with no Bluetooth on/off switch on the device. On a computer, mobile phone, or other device with a screen, this might be done by selecting a software menu item called "Turn on Bluetooth," "Turn on Bluetooth radio," or something similar.
Make sure you're trying to pair two Bluetooth enabled devices
To pair, both devices must have Bluetooth technology. If you're not sure if a device includes Bluetooth technology, check with the manufacturer. Not all wireless devices use Bluetooth technology (especially mice and keyboards), so you should be sure.
Some devices, such as computers, are easy to add Bluetooth technology to if they don't already have it. To add Bluetooth technology to a computer, you just have to plug a Bluetooth adapter into one of the computer's USB ports. Some Bluetooth enabled products come with such an adapter.
Make sure the two devices you want to use together are designed to be paired
Not all Bluetooth enabled devices are designed to be connected to each other (paired). Logically, there's no reason to connect a wireless mouse to a wireless headset, for example, which is why you can't pair them. But you should be able to pair a Bluetooth enabled headset to a Bluetooth enabled phone, or a Bluetooth enabled mouse to a Bluetooth enabled computer.
Devices that include Bluetooth wireless technology are designed to be used with other Bluetooth enabled devices that match them. Think of it logically – which types of Bluetooth enabled devices naturally go together?
Here are some common types of devices that are able to pair: