To turn off Bluetooth in Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, then set Bluetooth to Off. You can also use the Bluetooth tile in Action Center beside the clock. Turning off Bluetooth disconnects your Bluetooth accessories, so keep that in mind if you use a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard.
The short version
- Main method: Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and switch Bluetooth to Off.
- Quick access: Open Action Center and select the Bluetooth tile to turn it off.
- Keep Wi-Fi available: Use the Bluetooth switch because Airplane mode can also disable Wi-Fi.
- Adapter control: With administrator access, use Device Manager to disable the actual Bluetooth adapter.
| Method | Best use | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Settings switch | Turn Bluetooth off directly | Requires a recognized adapter and driver |
| Action Center tile | Turn Bluetooth off from the taskbar | You may need to add the tile |
| Run command | Open Bluetooth settings directly | You still turn the switch off manually |
| Desktop shortcut | Keep a shortcut to Bluetooth settings | Opening it does not toggle Bluetooth |
| Notification-area Bluetooth icon | Reach settings from the tray | The icon may be hidden or unavailable |
| Airplane mode in Settings | Disable wireless connections together | A remembered exception can leave Bluetooth on |
| Taskbar Airplane mode tile | Enable airplane mode from the network menu | Check Bluetooth separately afterward |
| Individual Bluetooth switch under Airplane mode | Turn off only Bluetooth on supported systems | Available on some Lenovo configurations |
| Device Manager | Disable the Bluetooth adapter | Requires administrator access |
| USB adapter removal | Disconnect a removable Bluetooth adapter | Other adapters remain available |
| Physical wireless switch | Use a supported laptop's hardware control | Check Bluetooth's state afterward |
| Dell XPS 15 9500 BIOS control | Disable internal Bluetooth in firmware | The menu is specific to this model |
| Supported ASUS NUC BIOS control | Disable onboard Bluetooth in firmware | The menu varies by BIOS layout |
| Remove device | Remove one accessory's pairing | Leaves the Bluetooth radio available |
Turn Bluetooth off in Settings
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then select Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Under Bluetooth, set the switch to Off. This control requires a Bluetooth adapter that Windows recognizes with its driver installed.
Check that the switch shows Off before closing the window. If the switch is missing, use the adapter steps under Device Manager below. That route lets you disable a recognized adapter directly with administrator access.
Use the Action Center tile
Select the Action Center icon beside the clock, then select Expand if you need to show the full set of quick actions. If Bluetooth is on, select the Bluetooth tile to turn it off. The disabled tile is not highlighted and may display Off.
If the tile is missing, open Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions. Select Edit your quick actions > Add > Bluetooth, then use the tile. If Bluetooth is unavailable there too, check for the switch in Settings or the adapter in Device Manager.
Open Bluetooth Settings with a shortcut
You can open the Bluetooth page directly without navigating through the Settings categories. Press Windows + R and enter this command:
ms-settings:bluetoothPress Enter, then set Bluetooth to Off in the window that opens. The command opens the settings page; it does not change the switch for you.
For a reusable desktop shortcut, right-click the desktop and select New > Shortcut. Enter ms-settings:bluetooth as the location, then complete the shortcut wizard. When you open the shortcut, you still need to switch Bluetooth to Off.
You can also use the notification-area Bluetooth icon on PCs that have it, including supported TP-Link USB adapter configurations. Check the taskbar's hidden icons, right-click the Bluetooth icon, and select Open Settings, then switch Bluetooth to Off. The tray icon provides access to Settings, but its menu is not a universal Bluetooth power control.
Use Airplane mode for broader wireless control
To disable other wireless connections along with Bluetooth, open Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode. Set Airplane mode to On, then check that Bluetooth is Off. Airplane mode can also disable Wi-Fi and other wireless communications.
Windows remembers Bluetooth exceptions from previous airplane-mode sessions, so enabling airplane mode alone does not guarantee Bluetooth is off. If Bluetooth remains on, switch it off while airplane mode is active. On compatible PCs, you can also select the taskbar network icon and enable the Airplane mode tile, then check Bluetooth's state.
Some Lenovo systems include an individual Bluetooth switch on the Airplane mode Settings page. Set that switch to Off while leaving Airplane mode off if you only want to disable Bluetooth. If your PC lacks that control, use Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
Disable the adapter in Device Manager
With administrator access, open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth. Right-click the actual Bluetooth adapter, such as Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R), and select Disable device. Confirm the action if prompted.
Choose the radio adapter rather than a paired accessory or Bluetooth enumerator. If your PC has more than one active Bluetooth adapter, disable each adapter to cover them all. You can use this method when the regular Settings control is unavailable but the adapter appears in Device Manager.
Disconnect a USB adapter or use a hardware switch
If your PC uses a removable USB Bluetooth adapter, unplug it and leave it disconnected. This removes only that adapter, so any built-in or additional Bluetooth adapters need separate attention. Use Device Manager to disable any remaining active adapters.
On a Dell laptop equipped with a physical wireless switch, move the switch to its off position. On Windows 8 and later, Dell handles individual radio control through Airplane mode in Windows rather than through the switch. Check Bluetooth's resulting state in Settings, since airplane mode can leave a remembered Bluetooth exception enabled.
Disable internal Bluetooth in supported BIOS settings
You can disable internal Bluetooth through firmware on PCs that provide a Bluetooth control. The navigation depends on your model; follow the steps to get to BIOS on Windows if you need help entering firmware setup. Use the controls for your specific model because these menus are not available on every PC.
On a Dell XPS 15 9500, restart and press F2 immediately to enter BIOS setup. Open Wireless > Wireless Device Enable and clear Bluetooth. Save the change and restart.
On supported ASUS NUC models, press F2 during boot and open Advanced > Devices > Onboard Devices. Clear Bluetooth, then press F10 to save and exit. Another supported BIOS layout uses Advanced > Onboard Devices; keep WLAN selected if you want Wi-Fi to remain enabled.
Remove one accessory when that is all you need
To remove a particular pairing, open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Select the accessory under Audio, Mouse, keyboard, & pen, or Other devices, then select Remove device. Confirm the removal if prompted.
Removing an accessory leaves your PC's Bluetooth radio available. Choose this option when you only want to remove that pairing. To turn Bluetooth off for all accessories, use the Bluetooth switch or disable the active adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a keyboard shortcut that turns Bluetooth off directly?
There is no universal Bluetooth-only keyboard shortcut. On Lenovo V510-14IKB and V510-15IKB laptops, press F7 to enable airplane mode, or Fn + F7 when Hotkey Mode is disabled. Other models use different keys, so check your model's user guide and verify Bluetooth is off afterward.
Will uninstalling the Bluetooth adapter keep Bluetooth off?
Uninstalling the adapter is not a durable off switch because Windows can reinstall it after a restart or Action > Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager. Removing a vendor driver package can also eliminate Bluetooth functionality until a suitable driver returns. Use an adapter-disable control when your goal is to keep the adapter disabled.
Does disabling Bluetooth Support Service turn off the radio?
Disabling Bluetooth Support Service does not guarantee that the radio is powered off. It disrupts discovery, association, and normal device operation. Microsoft's recommendation to disable this service is scoped to Windows IoT Enterprise, so use the Bluetooth switch or an adapter-disable method for ordinary Bluetooth control.
Can app permissions turn Bluetooth off?
The Radios privacy controls restrict apps' permission to control radios; they do not turn Bluetooth off. Open Settings > Privacy > Radios, where available, and turn off Let apps control radios or disable individual apps under Choose apps that can control radios. The permission wording can vary between Windows builds.
Can you turn Bluetooth off using voice commands?
Yes, you can operate the Settings switch with Windows Speech Recognition configured in a supported language. Start Windows Speech Recognition and say “Start listening,” then “Open Settings.” Use “Show numbers” and the appropriate number followed by “OK” to select Devices, Bluetooth & other devices, and the Bluetooth switch until it shows Off. Cortana's standalone Windows voice assistance has been retired.
How can you show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area?
On supported configurations, open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > More Bluetooth options, then select Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area. TP-Link documents this option for its Bluetooth USB adapters. The option changes the shortcut's visibility rather than the radio's power state.