How to Turn on Bluetooth in HP TouchSmart
By C. Taylor
Not all HP TouchSmart notebooks and desktop PCs offer the Bluetooth capability for communicating with other Bluetooth devices. Checking your TouchSmart's manual or specification sheet details your device’s features and verifies if it offers Bluetooth connectivity. Even if your TouchSmart contains a Bluetooth adapter, it may be turned off by default; this is particularly true for notebook computers for which battery conservation is a concern. The HP Wireless Assistant controls the current state of the Bluetooth adapter, but notebooks may also use the Windows Mobility Center.
HP Wireless Assistant
Step 1
Click the Windows "Start" button, type "wireless" in the Search field and click "HP Wireless Assistant" from the search results. Alternatively, double-click the "HP Wireless Assistant" icon from the Windows 7 notification area.
Step 2
Click "Properties," check "Independent Controls for Installed Wireless Devices" and click "Apply." Doing so enables you to turn on Bluetooth without also turning on other wireless devices, such as a wireless LAN adapter.
Step 3
Click "Turn On" in the Bluetooth section to turn on the device. Alternatively, click "Turn All On" to enable all wireless devices.
Windows Mobility Center
Step 1
Click the Windows "Start" button, type "mobility" in the Search field and click "Windows Mobility Center" from the search results. Alternatively, press "Windows-X."
Step 2
Click the "Settings" drop-down menu in the Integrated Wireless Devices section.
Step 3
Select "All Devices On" to enable wireless devices, including Bluetooth.
References
Tips
- Download the latest Bluetooth drivers and wireless software packages from HP Customer Care (see Resources) and install them to ensure optimal Bluetooth function.
Warnings
- This article was written to address a wide range of Bluetooth-capable TouchSmart notebooks and desktop PCs, but there is no guarantee the instructions will apply to every available model from HP or other manufacturers.
Writer Bio
C. Taylor embarked on a professional writing career in 2009 and frequently writes about technology, science, business, finance, martial arts and the great outdoors. He writes for both online and offline publications, including the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Samsung, Radio Shack, Motley Fool, Chron, Synonym and more. He received a Master of Science degree in wildlife biology from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences at College of Charleston. He also holds minors in statistics, physics and visual arts.