Tips on Connecting Chromebook to Bluetooth Devices

connecting bluetooth on a chromebookMost Google Chromebooks have Bluetooth capabilities and can be used to connect to a wide range of Bluetooth devices. The most common Bluetooth devices are mice, keyboards, headphones, and even printers. This Bluetooth connectivity is important to Chromebook users because some may prefer to use a full size keyboard or separate mouse instead. A Chromebook user simply connect one via wired USB or Bluetooth connection. See this information on the best Chromebook Bluetooth speakers.

Using Bluetooth on a Chromebook

You can tell your Chromebook works with Bluetooth if your menu shows either of these icons: Bluetooth off or Bluetooth on. The Bluetooth device appears in the Bluetooth status notification area when it connects successfully.

 

Connect A Bluetooth Device In Chrome OS

It is very easy to connect a Bluetooth device to a Chromebook. To activate the Bluetooth connectivity, click the lower right corner of the desktop (where the battery status icon resides) to open the settings submenu, click Enable Bluetooth, and follow the onscreen instructions to pair the devices. The notification panel also provides quick access to the Bluetooth function, allowing you to quickly turn it on or off. Simply swipe down on the Status Bar to display the Notification Panel and tap Bluetooth to turn it on or off.

Any Bluetooth devices within range will appear in the dialog box. Left-click on the device to which you want to connect, and then click on the Connect button. After a moment you should see a message informing you that the device is now connected. Certainly devices, like a keyboard, may require you to enter a specific code before they will connect. This code should appear on the screen or be in the device’s documentation. If you are prompted to enter a passkey or PIN code, enter your device’s code. If you are prompted to confirm an automatically generated passkey, click Accept. The Bluetooth device appears in the Bluetooth status notification area when it connects successfully.

To check that your accessory is paired, check the status area. You should see it listed there. If you’re turning on your Chromebook for the first time and you have a Bluetooth accessory nearby that’s also turned on, your Chromebook might automatically detect the device and help you pair it.

 

Steps to Connect a Bluetooth Device to Chromebook

If Bluetooth is supported on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

  1. Click the status area in the lower-right corner, where your account picture appears.
  2. Select your Bluetooth status in the menu that appears.
  3. If Bluetooth is disconnected, click on the disconnected icon to enable, or click Enable Bluetooth in the menu. Your Chromebook will automatically begin scanning for available Bluetooth devices.
  4. Select the device you wish to add from the list of available Bluetooth devices and click Connect.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to connect your Bluetooth device.
    • If you’re connecting a mouse, no PIN is normally required. If you’re prompted for a PIN, enter the PIN for your mouse using your Chrome device’s keyboard.
    • If you’re connecting a keyboard, enter the randomly generated PIN on the keyboard you wish to pair and press Enter.

 

What can you connect via Bluetooth on Chromebook?

If your Chromebook works with Bluetooth, it can connect to a range of accessories including the following:

  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Speakers
  • Headphones
  • Headsets (audio only)

Many users will find connecting Bluetooth speakers and headphones one of the more common things to connect to a Chromebook.

 

How to Unpair Bluetooth on Chromebook

To unpair a Bluetooth device, select the Status Tray, and then select Bluetooth enabled > Settings. Under Paired devices, select the paired device you want to unpair, and then select More options > Remove from List. Under Paired devices, select the paired device you want to unpair, and then select More options.

 

Fixing Chromebook Bluetooth Problems

If you have problems while trying to use a Bluetooth device with your Chromebook, try the following steps:

  • Make sure that the Bluetooth device is compatible with a Chromebook
  • Turn the Bluetooth connection off, then on again.
  • Turn your Chromebook off, then turn it back on.

 

 

64 COMMENTS

  1. Under your “Fixing Chromebook Bluetooth Problems.” your first point is “Make sure that the Bluetooth device is compatible with a Chromebook”. That being said, it would be great to have a list or link to check this.

  2. Hello, I have a Lenovo 100S Chromebook, I would like to use my galaxy note9 headset to this device. I am having problems connecting. please help. I even tried to see if its compatible, it shows up that’s it is and I still don’t know what the problem is. I am Disable and I have to use my laptop just about for everything. Mrs.Yisrael

  5. Hi, I have a HP Chromebook, and I am finding it impossible to connect my U Boom. It shows that it can be discovered by my chrome. Just continuously says connecting!!!! I’ve also downloaded the app for the UE Boom, and still NOTHING… Is there anyone who could help out a dingy blonde? #BOOMBOOMBEATLESS#

    • I had that same problem with my headphones. I was able to unpair and then pair them back up again and they just connected instantly!

  6. hello my chromebook N22 touch is able to pair to bluetooth earbuds but when i go to the bottom right on the screen to turn bluetooth on their is no icon and then i go to settings to try to turn bluetooth on the little slide thing on the screen wont move and its like a gray color and not like the white and gray can someone help!!!!!

  7. nothing here helps. i pair my headphones to my chromebook and it connects for about 10 second then as soon as i start a video or song it disconnects. then it reconnects. how the hell do you stop the bluetooth from doing a constant scan. cuz it seems its disconnecting evertime it refreshes the scan, even when its already paird and connected. and this is really starting to piss me off cuz i have had this chromebook for nearly 2 years and ive fought with this the entire time

  10. I have a Chromebook 15 and no matter which bluetooth speaker I pair it to, it will play for like 20 seconds & then keep disconnecting & connecting. Very annoying..especially since cb speakers are not loud enough.
    The other issue I have is the screen is too dark.. YES the brightness is on all the way.

  11. I have a Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000, but it requires a pin to connect. I looked it up, and there is a specific pin that you need. Am I able to connect it?

  12. I love using my chromebook but it won’t keep a connection with any bluetooth devices and in some cases it won’t establish a connection. It connected to my hp printer and a few weeks later lost the connection. My android phone is still connected to my printer. By the same token it has never connected with any bluetooth speakers I’ve tried to connect it with. I’ve heard this same thing from a lot of other Chromebook users, is this an issue with Chromebook?

  13. So I’ve had headphones that I have been able to connect before, now my Bluetooth doesn’t seem to want to work. It’s almost like it’s refusing to connect anything. I followed all the steps and nothing seems to work. If you have any more tips that would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

  15. The “fix” is so lame! I have turned the bluetooth off and on, chromebook off and on SEVERAL times and it doesn’t fix anything! The bluetooth keeps searching and doesn’t find ANY device to pair. Why don’t they just say, power wash the computer!

    • YOU SOLVED MY PROBLEM, KEETLA! I’ve looked in four different places for a solution, including here, and nothing worked. It turned out my phone was still connected from yesterday. Your point should be part of this article. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

  17. Really wish I’d known about these bluetooth problems with chromebooks before I bought one. I will never get a chromebook again. So disappointing.

  20. What a wasted web page. Check if your devices are supported was a great idea? But where and how would have been useful. The rest of the article you could work out for your self by clicking on the settings yourself.

  21. I agree with Janet Miller,if id known Chromebook wouldn’t connect with my JBL speaker, i wouldn’t have purchased it. so sad. does anyone know it it can connect with a auxiliary cord?

  22. Chromebook doesnt prompt me for a pin for my bluetooth device. it just attempts to connect, then goes directly to “Authentication code rejected while attempting to connect to:….” It doesnt even give me the opportunity to enter the pin.

  23. My Skullcandy sesh earphones connect but randomly disconnects and reconnect every couple minutes.does any have any solutions?
    I have an Acer Chromebook R13 By the way.

  27. Bought HP 14″ chromebook, I have black web Bluetooth earbuds. Bluetooth shows bud are paired but when connecting, connects for 2 seconds then disconnects all the while still attempts to connect. Vicious cycle never ends.

  29. I wish chrome was better about Bluetooth I am in college and need it to work when I try to pare my beats solo3 headphones they won’t connect.

  30. Can’t get my Sony SRS XB12 speaker to connect to my HP Chromebook either. Definitely annoying!!! At least I know now that it’s not just a case of operator malfunction.

  35. For me it was the fact that I had my phone near me. It has a stronger bluetooth connection than my Lenovo chromebook so after a short time my bluetooth headphones dropped the computer and connected to my phone. I solved the issue by turning off the bluetooth on my phone while im using the heaphones with my computer.

  36. I spent 20 minutes trying to connect my Sesh Evos and they would show connected only to show disconnected. These Evos are “promiscuous” and have connected to everything else. But wait. I also have a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds, and they will not connect with anything unless the Samsung Wear app connects them. I decided to give it a “what the hell,” and I no sooner had them out of the case than they connected and are giving me good sound. Go figure. I have no clue.

    • I have the same problem with the galaxy buds, but in the past year and also the first 2/3 months of 2021 i was able to connect my Galaxy buds to my chromebook, but latley since a month or two my galaxy buds will only connect briefly to my chromebook and then when I close the window where it shows the connections my Galaxy buds wont be connected again. If you have already found a solution it would be great if you could share :).

  37. Now and then I have trouble connecting to a paired device.

    I find unpairing and then re-pairing sometimes helps. Sometimes I turn off the Bluetooth on the Chromebook, turn off the other device, and that helps

  39. A possible ‘work around’ for this problem maybe using a USB bluetooth transmitter plugged into a spare USB port on your Chromebook.
    I use a Logitech bluetooth mouse with both of my Chromebooks (Acer C720 and Acer 311-9H), and it works without issues.
    The USB bluetooth transmitter/receivers are very small, so leaving it always plugged in isn’t a problem.

    The speakers on the Acer C720 are fare better than the Acer 311-9H, which are about half the output, and resonate/distort at 75% and above.

    There’s some Chrome OS extensions like ‘Volume Master’ that let you increase the volume of the current tab. I find 300% is a happy medium. It helps to increase the volume of YouTube videos with people talking etc.

    I hope this info helps.

  40. I discovered that turning on the headphones by holding the power button for a couple seconds wasn’t enough. I had to enter pairing mode by holding the power button down for even long. The headphones states “enter paining” and I was finally able to see the headphones on my ASUS Chromebook.

  41. Fact is that Bluetooth functionality on Chromebooks is TERRIBLE! My tablets will NOT connect to my Chromebooks (a Samsung and a Lenovo Chromebooks) but my Bluetooth speaker will.

    My Bluetooth earbuds *used to* connect to my Chromebooks but no longer do. Clearly, this is an issue of Google’s incompetence to make decent software and not the manufacturers’ faults.

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