How to Activate Bluetooth on a Dell Laptop

By C. Taylor

Dell's Bluetooth feature allows pairing with Bluetooth headsets.
i Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images

Many Dell laptops contain an optional Bluetooth internal card that pairs your laptop with peripheral Bluetooth devices such as cell phones and headsets. This connection is made wirelessly via radio waves. To conserve battery life, the Bluetooth device on your Dell laptop may be disabled and require activating before use. Dell laptops have two methods of disabling Bluetooth technology; you need to check both to ensure Bluetooth functionality.

Step 1

Look for a Bluetooth status light on the front or side of your Dell laptop. This light is labeled with the Bluetooth "B" logo. If it is illuminated, you already have Bluetooth activated on your Dell laptop.

Step 2

Locate the wireless switch on the front or side edge of your Dell laptop. Slide the switch to the middle position to enable Bluetooth.

Step 3

Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the Windows 7 notification area and select "Enable Bluetooth Radio." This is necessary if you manually disabled Bluetooth via the notification area icon.

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