This article is for people with visual or cognitive impairments who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Microsoft 365 screen reader support content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.
Use your keyboard and a screen reader to pair a Bluetooth device with your Windows computer. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.
You can pair all kinds of Bluetooth devices—keyboards, mice, phones, speakers, and a whole lot more. To do this, your computer needs to have Bluetooth. Some computers, such as laptops and tablets, have Bluetooth built in. If your computer doesn’t, you can plug a USB Bluetooth adapter into the USB port on your computer to get it.
Need instructions on how to pair a Bluetooth device, but not using a screen reader? Refer to Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows.
Notes:
-
To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Turn on Bluetooth on your computer
You can turn on Bluetooth from the settings of your computer or from the quick settings on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
Turn on Bluetooth from the settings of your computer
-
On your computer, press the Windows logo key+I. The Settings window opens. You hear: "Settings window, search box."
-
Press the Tab key once. You hear: "System." Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Bluetooth and devices," and then press Enter.
-
Press the Tab key until you hear "Bluetooth, toggle switch, off," and then press Spacebar to turn on Bluetooth.
Turn on Bluetooth from the quick settings on the taskbar
-
On your computer, press the Windows logo key+T. The focus moves to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You hear "Taskbar pane," followed by the name of the app shortcut in focus.
-
Press the Tab key until you hear "Show hidden icons," then press the Right arrow key until you hear "Network," "Volume speakers," or "Power battery status," and then press Spacebar to select. You hear: "Quick settings window."
-
Press the Right or Left arrow key until you hear "Bluetooth, button, off," and then press Spacebar to turn on Bluetooth. If there are no Bluetooth devices connected, you hear: "Not connected."
Tip: If you don't hear "Bluetooth, button," you might need to add Bluetooth to the quick settings first. For more info, refer to Change notification and quick settings in Windows.
Pair a Bluetooth device
-
Turn on Bluetooth on your computer as instructed in Turn on Bluetooth on your computer.
-
Turn on Bluetooth on the device you want to pair to make it discoverable. If needed, check the device manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions.
-
On your computer, press the Tab key until you hear "Show hidden icons," then press the Right arrow key until you hear "Network," "Volume speakers," or "Power battery status," and then press Spacebar to select. You hear: "Quick settings window."
-
Press the Right or Left arrow key until you hear "Bluetooth, button, on," and then press the Tab key once. You hear: "Manage Bluetooth devices." Press Enter to select.
-
You hear "Not paired," followed by the first device on the list of available devices. Press the Down arrow key until you hear the name of the device you want, and then press Enter.
-
Additional info will be displayed and announced. You might hear, for example, "Connecting," and then you might be prompted to press Connect if the PIN on the device matches the PIN on your computer. Your screen reader announces the PIN on your PC. For instructions on how to navigate to the PIN on the connecting device, refer to the device manual or the manufacturer's website.
-
When you're ready, press the Tab key until you hear "Done," and then press Enter.
Pair a Bluetooth printer or scanner
-
Turn on Bluetooth on your computer as instructed in Turn on Bluetooth on your computer.
-
Turn on Bluetooth on the printer or scanner to make it discoverable. If needed, check the device manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions.
-
On your computer, press the Windows logo key+I. The Settings window opens. You hear: "Settings window, search box."
-
Press the Tab key once. You hear: "System." Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Bluetooth and devices," and then press Enter.
-
Press the Tab key until you hear "Devices," and then press the Down arrow key until you hear "Printers and scanners," and then press Enter.
-
You hear: "Add a printer or scanner." Press Enter to select. Wait for it to find nearby printers and scanners, and then use the Tab key and the arrow keys to navigate the list of devices until you hear the name of the printer or scanner you want. Press Enter to select.
If you’re having problems installing your printer or scanner, refer to Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.
Pair a Bluetooth device using Swift Pair
With Swift Pair in Windows 11, you can quickly pair a supported Bluetooth device with your computer. Just turn on Bluetooth on the device and your computer, and you’ll receive a notification when the device is nearby and ready to connect.
-
Turn on Bluetooth on your computer as instructed in Turn on Bluetooth on your computer.
-
Turn on a Bluetooth device that supports Swift Pair to make it discoverable. If needed, check the device manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions.
-
If this is your first time using Swift Pair, you're prompted to allow to get notifications and use Swift Pair. Press the Tab key until you hear "Yes," and then press Enter.
-
When you hear a notification that a new Bluetooth device was found, press the Tab key until you hear "Connect," and then press Enter.
See also
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
