How to Check if Your Computer Has Bluetooth

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 28, 2022 Tested

Using a Windows PC

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Using a Mac

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Using a Linux PC

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to determine whether or not your computer has built-in Bluetooth capabilities. While the majority of Windows computers and virtually all Macs have built-in Bluetooth cards, some desktop computers and older models do not.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Windows PC

1
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- You can also right-click Start to bring up the advanced settings pop-up menu.
2
Open Device Manager. Type in device manager, then click Device Manager in the Start menu. The Device Manager window will open.
- If you right-clicked the Start icon, just click Device Manager in the pop-up menu that appears.
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3
Look for the "Bluetooth" heading. If you find a "Bluetooth" heading near the top of the window (e.g., in the "B" section), your computer has built-in Bluetooth capabilities.
- If you don't see the "Bluetooth" heading, your computer does not have built-in Bluetooth capabilities.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Mac

1
Open the Apple menu
. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
2
Click About This Mac. This is in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear.
3
Click System Report…. It's at the bottom of the About This Mac window. Doing so opens a new window.
- On older versions of macOS, you'll click More Info... here.
4
Expand the "Hardware" section. Click the right-facing triangle
to the left of the "Hardware" heading to do so. You should see a list of indented subcategories appear below the "Hardware" heading.
- If the triangle next to "Hardware" is facing downward, this list is already expanded.
5
Look for the "Bluetooth" heading. Beneath the "Hardware" heading, look for a "Bluetooth" sub-heading. It should be near the top of the list of hardware options.
- If you don't see a "Bluetooth" heading here, your Mac does not have built-in Bluetooth.
6
Confirm that your Mac has Bluetooth. If you see the "Bluetooth" sub-heading, click once the heading to select it. If clicking the heading displays Bluetooth information in the right-hand side of the window, your Mac has Bluetooth capabilities; if not, your Mac doesn't allow Bluetooth use.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Linux PC

1
Open the Terminal. Click or double-click the Terminal app icon, which resembles a black box with a white ">_" on it.
- You can also just press Alt+Ctrl+T to open Terminal in most versions of Linux.
2
Enter the Bluetooth search command. Type in the following command, then press ↵ Enter:
```
sudo lsusb |grep Bluetooth
```
3
Enter your password. When prompted, type in the password you use to log into your computer, then press ↵ Enter.
4
Review the results. If the next line in Terminal shows the name and manufacturer of a Bluetooth item, your computer has Bluetooth installed.
- If you see a blank line appear, Bluetooth isn't installed in your computer.
- Keep in mind that some versions of Linux don't support built-in Bluetooth adapters.

Community Q&A

Question

Does the dongle remain on the USB port every time the Bluetooth function is in use?

Community Answer

The "dongle" is a hardware device that plugs into a USB port. In order to use your Bluetooth, the dongle must be plugged into the USB port, however if you need the USB port for another function, and don't need the Bluetooth function, the dongle may be removed from the port; disabling the Bluetooth function. When you need the Bluetooth again, plug it back into an empty USB and it should reactivate.
Question

Does a laptop with Windows 10 have Bluetooth?

Community Answer

This depends on your laptop hardware and whether it came with built-in Bluetooth. If you have the hardware capabilities, Windows 10 includes the software to allow you to use Bluetooth, which you can find in Control Panel. If your notebook did not come with Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, which will allow you to use its capabilities.
Question

How can I figure out whether my laptop has Bluetooth if I have Windows 8?

Community Answer

Press Ctrl + X and select Device Manager. Follow the rest of the steps for Windows 7.