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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Windows usually detects compatible plug-and-play hardware as soon as you connect it. Manual setup is mainly required for Bluetooth accessories, printers, scanners, network devices, hardware with missing drivers, or devices that appear with an error. The correct route depends on the connection type and what Windows can already see.
Understand what “adding hardware” involves
Connecting a device is only the first stage. Windows must detect the physical hardware, install a driver that lets the operating system communicate with it, and—in the case of Bluetooth or some network devices—complete pairing or enrollment. A vendor application may still be needed for advanced controls even after the device works in Windows.
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A driver is software that allows Windows to communicate with hardware such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, storage devices and graphics cards. Windows normally installs compatible drivers automatically.
Before you connect the device
- Turn the device on and connect its power supply or charge its battery.
- Use the correct cable, receiver, adapter and port. For initial testing, connect USB hardware directly to the PC instead of an unpowered hub.
- Put Bluetooth or wireless hardware into discoverable or pairing mode.
- Keep wireless devices close to the computer while pairing.
- Confirm compatibility with your Windows edition and processor architecture, and note the exact model number.
- Use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s support site for drivers; avoid third-party “driver updater” sites.
Microsoft’s general hardware guidance covers these preparation steps and the Windows 11 and Windows 10 add-device workflows: Microsoft’s hardware setup guide.
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Add a device in Windows 11
- Connect or power on the hardware.
- Open Start → Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices, then Devices.
- Select Add device.
- Choose the connection type, such as Bluetooth, and follow the prompts.
- Select the device when it appears. Confirm a PIN, permission or pairing request if Windows displays one.
- Open the relevant Settings page or application and test the device.
If the device is USB plug-and-play, it may already be installed before you open Settings.
Add a device in Windows 10
These menus apply to older Windows 10 installations. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, although existing PCs can continue to run it.
- Open Start → Settings.
- Select Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Choose the connection type, select the device and complete the prompts.
USB and other wired hardware
Most USB keyboards, mice, storage devices, webcams and similar peripherals do not need a manual Add device action.
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- Turn on the device if it has a power switch.
- Connect it directly to the PC.
- Wait for Windows to detect and configure it.
- Test it in its intended application.
- If it fails, try another port, cable or computer and temporarily remove hubs or docking stations.
- Check Device Manager for a warning icon. Install a compatible driver only when Windows has not supplied one or basic operation is missing.
A device can be physically connected yet unusable because of power, cable, port, firmware or driver problems. If it appears nowhere in Device Manager, the problem is not simply a missing Settings entry.
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Pair Bluetooth hardware
Bluetooth can connect keyboards, mice, phones, speakers, headphones, printers and scanners. The accessory must be charged, powered on and discoverable.
- Open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11 (or Devices → Bluetooth & other devices in Windows 10) and turn Bluetooth on.
- Put the accessory into pairing mode.
- In Windows 11, select Devices → Add device → Bluetooth. In Windows 10, select Add Bluetooth or other device → Bluetooth.
- Choose the accessory, confirm any code and test audio, input or its other function.
Not every PC includes Bluetooth. A compatible USB Bluetooth adapter can add it, provided its driver is supported: Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing guide.
If the Bluetooth device is missing
- Re-enter pairing mode and disconnect the accessory from a phone or another PC.
- Charge it, move it closer and verify Bluetooth is enabled on the computer.
- In Windows 11, set device discovery to Advanced if the accessory is not listed.
- Update or reinstall the Bluetooth adapter driver.
- Check whether work, school or family policies block Bluetooth.
- Confirm the accessory uses Bluetooth rather than a proprietary USB receiver.
Discovery can take several minutes in some cases.
Add a printer
USB or local printer
- Connect and power on the printer.
- Open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners in Windows 11.
- Check whether it is already listed. If not, select Add device beside Add a printer or scanner.
- Wait for results, select the printer and choose Add device.
- Print a test page or select the printer from an application.
Wi-Fi or network printer
- Connect the printer and PC to the same network.
- Open Printers & scanners and select Add device.
- If discovery fails, choose The printer that I want isn’t listed, then Add a new device manually.
For Windows 10, use Start → Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → Add a printer or scanner. Full instructions, including removal, are in Microsoft’s printer guide.
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On some Windows-on-ARM PCs, including certain Copilot+ PCs, a manufacturer installer may not work correctly. Microsoft recommends the built-in Add device workflow unless the manufacturer provides ARM-specific instructions. Check the architecture at Start → Settings → System → About → System type; ARM systems show an ARM-based processor. See Microsoft’s printer-driver guidance.
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Add a scanner
USB scanner
- Connect and power on the scanner.
- Open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device beside Add printer or scanner.
- Select the scanner and test it in a scanning application.
Network, wireless or Bluetooth scanner
- Connect it to the same network as the PC, or make it discoverable for Bluetooth.
- Open Printers & scanners and select Add device.
- Wait for discovery, which may take several minutes, then select the scanner.
For a multifunction printer, select the device, choose Manage and check whether a scanner entry is available. See Microsoft’s scanner instructions.
Install or update drivers safely
- Let Windows detect the device first.
- Run Windows Update.
- In Windows 11, open Start → Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates. Optional drivers require you to select Download and install.
- Use Device Manager to update, reinstall or roll back a driver when necessary.
- If Windows Update cannot provide a compatible driver, download the model-specific package from the manufacturer’s support page.
Windows Update is the safest default, but it may provide only a generic driver. A manufacturer driver can restore advanced printer controls, scanner buttons, headset microphone profiles, special mouse keys or graphics-card features, provided it matches your Windows version and architecture. Microsoft explains recommended and optional driver updates at its driver-update page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Repair a device in Device Manager
Device Manager is for diagnosing and repairing detected hardware; it is not a replacement for power, cabling, pairing or vendor setup.
Open Device Manager
- Search for Device Manager from Start.
- Alternatively, open This PC → Manage → Device Manager.
Microsoft documents both methods at Using Device Manager.
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Update a driver
- Expand the relevant category.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers and restart if requested.
Reinstall a malfunctioning driver
- Right-click the affected device and select Uninstall device.
- Restart the PC, or select Action → Scan for hardware changes.
- Allow Windows to reinstall the device. If it asks for a path, provide the correct manufacturer driver.
Read warning icons
- Yellow exclamation mark: a problem or driver issue; read the device’s error code.
- Unknown device: hardware was detected but Windows lacks sufficient identification or a suitable driver.
- Down-arrow or disabled status: the device may be disabled.
- Absent device: it may be disconnected, unpowered or not detected at the hardware level.
Common Device Manager codes
| Code | Typical meaning | First action |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Drivers need to be reinstalled | Update or uninstall and reinstall |
| 28 | Drivers are not installed | Install a compatible driver |
| 31 | Windows cannot load the required driver | Reinstall or update it |
| 37 | Windows cannot initialize the driver | Reinstall the driver |
| 39 | Driver may be corrupted or missing | Reinstall the driver |
| 45 | Device is not currently connected | Reconnect it |
| 46 | Windows is shutting down | Restart and try again |
See Microsoft’s complete Device Manager error-code guidance. Advanced users can use Microsoft’s PnPUtil documentation, but it is not needed for ordinary setup.
When Windows cannot find the device
- Confirm power, battery charge and indicator lights.
- Check the cable, connector and port.
- Try another direct USB port and remove hubs or docks.
- Test the device on another computer if possible.
- For Bluetooth, clear old pairings and re-enter pairing mode.
- For network hardware, verify the same network and avoid guest-network isolation.
- Restart both the PC and peripheral.
- Run Windows Update and inspect Device Manager.
- Install compatible manufacturer drivers or firmware.
- Verify Windows edition and x64-versus-ARM compatibility.
- Contact the manufacturer if the device remains absent.
“Not listed in Settings” can be a discovery or pairing issue. “Not detected anywhere,” including Device Manager, points more strongly to power, connection, firmware or hardware failure. Scanning for hardware changes cannot repair a dead cable, failed port or unsupported device.
When the device works only partially
A generic driver may provide basic operation while omitting duplex or color controls, scanner buttons, automatic document feeder support, headset microphone profiles, special keyboard or mouse functions, graphics-card control panels, monitoring or firmware tools. Install the correct manufacturer package when those features are required, after confirming compatibility.
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Remove and add the device again
- Open the relevant Settings page and select the device.
- Choose Remove device (for printers, select Remove in Printers & scanners).
- Restart the PC and peripheral if necessary.
- Put the device back into pairing or discovery mode and add it again.
Confirm that setup succeeded
- Type with the keyboard or move the mouse.
- Play audio and test the microphone for a headset.
- Print a test page and confirm the printer appears in applications.
- Scan a document and verify the scanner source.
- Check storage in File Explorer or Disk Management.
- Verify the device appears in Settings or Device Manager without a warning icon.
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