Bluetooth technology has been around for over 25 years, and despite its long history, it still struggles with issues, especially when it comes to Windows. Despite advancements in the protocol, it remains one of the most frustrating aspects of peripheral connectivity, and unfortunately, many users face the same ongoing problem. In particular, pairing Bluetooth keyboards, especially older ones, can be a true test of patience.
A Tale of Two Keyboards
I recently had the opportunity to test two Bluetooth keyboards on Windows 11. One was a reliable Dell model, while the other was an off-brand, foldable Chinese keyboard. While both are Bluetooth-enabled, the experience of pairing them with Windows was drastically different.
The Dell Bluetooth Keyboard: Smooth Sailing
The Dell keyboard was no problem at all. Pairing it with Windows 11 was simple. Here’s the process:
Put the keyboard into pairing mode.
Go to Windows settings, select “Bluetooth & devices,” and choose to add a new Bluetooth device.
Windows will display a pin code — a simple numeric one.
You type the pin code on the keyboard you’re pairing and press Enter.
Once the pin is entered, the Dell keyboard connects instantly, and you’re good to go.
The Foldable Chinese Bluetooth Keyboard: A Different Story
On the other hand, the foldable Bluetooth 3.0 keyboard, which uses an older Bluetooth protocol, didn’t go as smoothly. When attempting to pair it with Windows, I encountered an issue: no pin code was shown. Instead, Windows asked for a pin code for the keyboard — something I obviously didn’t know.
There are default pin codes used for headsets, like 0000 and 1234, but neither worked for this keyboard. After trying all the usual solutions, I was left stuck. The keyboard simply refused to pair.
What makes this even more frustrating is that when I boot into Linux on the same machine, both keyboards pair without a hitch, no problem at all. But on Windows? It’s a headache.
The Bug That Won’t Die
This Bluetooth bug has been around since at least Windows 10, and it has migrated over to Windows 11. While I created a video about how to resolve it on Windows 10, the issue persists in Windows 11, and Microsoft hasn’t yet provided a straightforward fix.
In Windows 11, the process to resolve the issue has become more complicated. While you can still use the old Control Panel to access the required settings, the path is now obscured, and the new Metro settings interface does not allow you to reach the necessary options.
How to Fix the Issue in Windows 11
If you’re experiencing this Bluetooth pairing issue in Windows 11, don’t panic — there are a few workarounds that can help you connect your Bluetooth keyboard, even the older ones that use earlier versions of Bluetooth. Here’s what you can do:
Use the Old Control Panel:
Instead of going through the Metro Settings, open the old Control Panel.
Select “List” instead of “Categories” and click on Devices and Printers.
In this section, click on Add a device and you’ll be taken to the traditional Bluetooth device pairing interface.
Access Bluetooth Settings via the Start Menu:
Open the Start Menu, go to Bluetooth & Devices, and click on View More Devices.
Scroll down and click on More Devices and Printer Settings. This will take you back to the old Devices and Printers menu, where you can proceed with adding the Bluetooth device.
Command Prompt Trick:
Open Run by pressing Windows + R.
Type “device pairing wizard” (without quotes) and press Enter.
This will open the old pairing wizard where you can add the Bluetooth device as usual.
Get the PIN:
When prompted for the PIN during the pairing process, don’t panic.
Look for a blue text link beneath the PIN code box.
Clicking it will reveal the actual pin you need to enter on the keyboard. Once you enter it, the keyboard will successfully pair with your system.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Frustration
At the end of the day, this Bluetooth bug is a legacy issue that has plagued Windows since the days of Windows 10. Despite years of updates, pairing Bluetooth devices, especially older models, remains a challenge. While there are workarounds available, the fact that users need to jump through hoops to connect simple peripherals speaks to the continuing dysfunction of Bluetooth in Windows.
Thankfully, Linux doesn’t suffer from these issues, and pairing Bluetooth devices there is a breeze. But for Windows users, it’s a frustrating reminder that even after decades of development, Bluetooth technology on Windows still isn’t quite as polished as it should be.
For now, I guess we’ll have to keep using those workarounds — and hope that, one day, Microsoft gets it right.