A Bluetooth keyboard can make a laptop, tablet, phone, or desktop setup more comfortable while reducing cable clutter. The connection process is usually straightforward: charge the keyboard, place it in pairing mode, and select it from the Bluetooth settings on your device. The exact buttons and menu names vary by keyboard and operating system, so the steps below cover the most common situations.
Before you start
Prepare both devices before attempting to pair them. These quick checks can prevent many connection problems:
- Make sure the computer, tablet, or phone supports Bluetooth and that Bluetooth is turned on.
- Install available operating-system updates if the device has not been updated recently.
- Charge the keyboard or install fresh batteries.
- Place the keyboard close to the device during setup.
- Disconnect the keyboard from another nearby device if it is already connected.
- Check the keyboard’s quick-start guide for its pairing button or key combination.
If you are using a work or school computer, Bluetooth may be disabled by an administrator or restricted by a device policy. Airplane mode can also prevent wireless connections.
Put the keyboard into pairing mode
A keyboard must be discoverable before your device can find it. Turn on the keyboard, then look for a Bluetooth or pairing button. It may be located beside the power switch, on the underside, or near the keyboard’s indicator lights. Pressing and holding it commonly activates pairing mode, usually indicated by a blinking LED.
Some compact keyboards use a function-key combination instead of a separate button. Look for a key marked with the Bluetooth symbol. Multi-device keyboards may have several numbered device keys; select an unused channel and hold it until its indicator begins flashing. This both selects the channel and makes the keyboard available for pairing.
The procedure differs between models. For example, some Apple keyboards become discoverable after being switched on, while certain Logitech keyboards use Easy-Switch keys. Microsoft keyboards commonly include a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button. If the indicator stays solid or does not flash, consult the keyboard’s instructions because the device may require a reset or a different button press.
Pair a Bluetooth keyboard with your device
Windows
Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices or Bluetooth & other devices, depending on the Windows version. Turn on Bluetooth, choose the option to add a device, and select Bluetooth. When the keyboard appears in the list, select it and follow the prompts.
Windows may display a code that must be entered on the keyboard. Type the code using the keyboard and press Enter to finish pairing.
macOS
Open System Settings and select Bluetooth. On older versions of macOS, Bluetooth may be found in System Preferences. Wait for the keyboard to appear under nearby devices, then click Connect. If macOS displays an authentication code, type it on the keyboard and press Enter.
iPad or iPhone
Open Settings, choose Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on. Tap the keyboard’s name when it appears under available devices. Enter any code shown on the screen using the keyboard, then press Enter. Once connected, the keyboard can be used in apps that support external keyboards.
Android
Open Settings and select Connected devices, Bluetooth, or a similarly named option. Choose Pair new device if that option is available, then tap the keyboard’s name. Complete the connection by entering any requested code on the keyboard and pressing Enter.
If the keyboard is not appearing
Try these steps in order:
- Turn Bluetooth off and back on from the host device.
- Switch the keyboard off, wait briefly, and turn it on again.
- Confirm that the keyboard is still in pairing mode and that its indicator is flashing.
- Move the keyboard closer and temporarily reduce nearby wireless interference.
- Remove an old keyboard entry from the device’s Bluetooth list, then search again.
- Clear a stored device slot on the keyboard if it has reached its pairing limit.
- Restart the computer, tablet, or phone.
If the keyboard requests a code but will not accept input, type the code directly on the keyboard rather than using the device’s on-screen keyboard, then press Enter. If the problem continues, check for keyboard firmware updates and review the manufacturer’s reset instructions.
Bluetooth versus a wireless receiver
Not every wireless keyboard uses standard Bluetooth. Some models connect through a proprietary USB receiver and require a manufacturer utility instead of the Bluetooth settings menu. If the keyboard came with a USB dongle, check its instructions before troubleshooting Bluetooth.
Keyboards with multiple device channels can switch between a computer, tablet, and phone, but each device usually needs to be paired with a separate channel first. Bluetooth Low Energy models may use a different connection process, particularly with older operating systems. If a keyboard still cannot enter pairing mode or remains invisible after a reset, consult the manufacturer’s support documentation for model-specific guidance.
