Bluetooth has been around for a long time now, and thanks to its efficiency and ease of use, it is used widely. Naturally, most Windows devices, especially laptops, come bundled with Bluetooth connectivity in order to wirelessly connect to a multitude of devices.
But, keeping Bluetooth on when you have no need for it can quickly drain your laptop’s battery. Here are a few ways you can turn Bluetooth off on Windows 10.
1. Turn Off Bluetooth Using the Action Center
This is by far the easiest and most accessible way to switch off Bluetooth in Windows 10. This doesn’t require users to open any new windows.
To turn Bluetooth off using the Action Center, follow these steps:
- Click on the Action Center icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar. This is the same button that is used to access notifications in Windows 10.
- Click on the Bluetooth icon to turn Bluetooth on or off. If the icon is highlighted in blue, it means that Bluetooth is switched on.
For some users, this panel may be in a collapsed form where the Bluetooth option is not visible. In this case, just click on Expand to bring up the entire gamut of options in the Action Center.
2. Turn Off Bluetooth via Settings
If you want to turn off Bluetooth and access more Bluetooth-related options, you can do so using the Bluetooth page in Settings.
There are two ways to turn Bluetooth off using Settings. You can either use the Airplane mode option, or do it via the Devices menu.
- Click on the Start button and then click on Settings.
- In the Settings dashboard, click on Devices.
- On the next window, using the navigation bar on the left, click Bluetooth & other devices.
- Click on the Bluetooth toggle to switch off the service.
Switch Off Bluetooth Using the Airplane Mode Option
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- In the Settings menu, choose the Network & Internet option.
- On the navigation bar on the left, click on Airplane mode.
- Under Wireless devices, switch Bluetooth to Off.
3. Turn Off Bluetooth Using Device Manager
Some Windows users may also encounter a problem wherein they’re unable to turn off Bluetooth using the Action Center or Settings. In such cases, you may have to disable the Bluetooth adapter entirely.
You can do this using the Device Manager:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt.
- In the text box, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to launch the Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, expand the Bluetooth section.
- Right-click on the Bluetooth adapter and select Disable device.
- Close Device Manager and reboot your computer.
This will keep Bluetooth disabled on your computer until you re-enable the Bluetooth adapter using the Device Manager.
4. Turn Off Bluetooth Using Services
If you’re not planning to use the Bluetooth service on Windows 10 and would rather prefer if it was disabled, you can do so using the Services application. The Services menu comes in handy for other tasks as well.
This method involves stopping the Bluetooth Support Service, which is responsible for the discovery and association of Bluetooth devices. Similar to using the Device Manager method, users will have to open the Services app and enable the service if they want to use Bluetooth again.
- Press Windows key + R to launch the Run prompt.
- In the text box, type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services application.
- In the Services window, right-click on the Bluetooth Support Service > Stop. The services are listed in alphabetical order, so this should be towards the top.
- Close the Services app and reboot your computer.
This method should only be used when you are unable to turn off Bluetooth using the Action Center, Settings, or the Device Manager.
5. Turn Off Bluetooth Using the Registry Editor
Another way for advanced users to switch off Bluetooth is by using the Registry Editor. Tampering with the Registry is usually not recommended, but when everything else fails, this is the only way to do it.
- Press Windows key + R to launch the Run application.
- Type regedit in the text box and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
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Using the navigation bar on the left, go to the following path. Alternatively, you can copy the address below and paste it in the address bar on the Registry and hit Enter.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionActionCenterQuickActionsAllSystemSettings_Device_BluetoothQuickAction - Right-click on the entry named Type and click on Modify.
- In the Edit DWORD window, change the Value data from 0 to 1. Then, click OK.
- Close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer.
There Are Several Ways to Switch Bluetooth Off in Windows 10
For most users, the first two methods mentioned here are the easiest and most convenient. For power users and users facing issues when switching off Bluetooth, methods three, four, and five may be worth a try.
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