Everyday Computer Skills · Video Calls & Devices · Lesson 3 of 5

Bluetooth and Printers

Pair wireless headphones, add a printer and remove old devices.

Pairing wireless headphones

Bluetooth is a way for devices to connect without wires, over a short distance. Wireless headphones, speakers, mice and keyboards use it.

Connecting a Bluetooth device for the first time is called pairing. After that, the two find each other on their own. Phones work the same way.

To pair headphones on Windows 11:

1. Put the headphones in pairing mode. Usually you hold the power or Bluetooth button until a light blinks. The headphones' instructions say exactly how.
2. Open Start, then Settings.
3. Choose Bluetooth & devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
4. Click Add device, then choose Bluetooth.
5. Wait a moment. Click your headphones when their name appears.
6. Click Done.

Now sound plays through the headphones. Next time, just turn them on near the computer, and they connect again.

If the name doesn't appear, keep the headphones close and start pairing mode again. Headphones still connected to your phone may not show up. Turn off Bluetooth on the phone for a moment.

On a Mac, open System Settings, then Bluetooth. Find your headphones under Nearby Devices and click Connect.

Adding a printer, removing a device

Most home printers connect over Wi-Fi. Others plug in with a USB cable. Either way, Windows can usually find them for you.

To add a printer on Windows 11:

1. Turn the printer on. If it uses Wi-Fi, make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi as your computer.
2. Open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
3. Check if your printer is already listed. If not, click Add device.
4. Wait for the list to fill in. Click Add device next to your printer.

That's it. Your printer now shows up when you print. You usually don't need a disc or a special program.

Sometimes you want to disconnect a device for good. Maybe you gave away old headphones, or they keep acting up. This is called unpairing, or removing the device.

1. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Devices.
2. Find the device and click the three dots next to it.
3. Click Remove device, then Yes.

Removing headphones and pairing them again is also a good fix when they won't connect.

On a Mac, printers are in System Settings, then Printers & Scanners. To remove headphones, open Bluetooth, click the small i next to them, then Forget This Device.