How to Rename Bluetooth Device on Windows 10

This guide shows you how to change the Bluetooth name that your Windows 10 PC broadcasts to other devices. This is the name you see when pairing a phone, tablet, or another computer. You’ll learn the quick way using Settings, plus a more advanced method via Device Manager if the first doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with Bluetooth enabled (most laptops have it built-in; desktops may need a USB Bluetooth adapter).
• Administrator access to the PC (you’ll need it for the Device Manager method).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Settings (Recommended)

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and then click the Settings gear icon.
2. In the Settings window, click Devices.
3. From the left sidebar, select Bluetooth & other devices.
4. Look at the top of the Bluetooth section. You’ll see a line that says something like “Now discoverable as \”YourPCName\””. The name shown there is your current Bluetooth device name.
5. To change it, click the Rename button (a pencil icon) next to that line.
6. In the pop-up window, type the new name you want. It can be anything, but keep it under 248 characters and avoid special characters like <, >, :, ", /, \, |, ?, and *.
7. Click OK. The new name appears immediately, and other devices will see it when they scan for Bluetooth.

Method 2: Using Device Manager (If Settings doesn’t work)

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Bluetooth category.
3. Find your Bluetooth adapter. It’s usually named something like “Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)” or “Realtek Bluetooth Adapter”. If you’re not sure, look for the one that says “Bluetooth” in its name.
4. Right-click that adapter and select Properties.
5. Go to the Advanced tab.
6. In the “Value” field, you’ll see the current Bluetooth name. Type your new name there.
7. Click OK. You may need to restart your PC for the change to take effect.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong name: In Settings, the name shown is the PC’s Bluetooth name. Don’t confuse it with the name of a connected device (like your headphones) – that’s a different setting.
• Using invalid characters: Windows doesn’t allow certain characters in device names. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and underscores.
• Not restarting after Device Manager method: Sometimes the new name doesn’t appear until you reboot the PC.
• Changing the name of a paired device: If you want to rename a device you’ve already connected to (like your phone), that’s done in the Bluetooth settings under “Devices”, not by renaming your PC.

Tips

• Choose a name that’s easy to identify, especially if you’re in an office with many Bluetooth devices. Something like “John’s Laptop” is clearer than “DESKTOP-ABC123”.
• If you have multiple Bluetooth adapters (rare), make sure you rename the one that’s actually active. You can check by seeing which one is enabled in Device Manager.
• After renaming, you may need to re-pair some devices that were previously connected, as they might not recognize the new name.
• Keep the name short – some devices truncate long names when displaying them.

Troubleshooting

Why isn’t the rename option available in Settings?

This can happen if your Bluetooth driver is outdated or not properly installed. Try updating the driver:

1. Open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click your adapter, and select Update driver.
2. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
3. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest Bluetooth driver for your model.

The new name doesn’t appear on other devices.

Other devices may cache the old name. Try these steps:

1. On the other device, forget the Bluetooth connection to your PC.
2. Turn Bluetooth off and on again on both devices.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Scan for devices again – the new name should now show up.

I renamed it in Device Manager, but Settings still shows the old name.

This usually means the change hasn’t been applied. Restart your PC. If it still doesn’t update, try the Settings method again – sometimes it overrides the Device Manager setting.

Bluetooth isn’t working at all after renaming.

This is rare, but if Bluetooth stops working, try:

1. Restart your PC.
2. If that doesn’t help, go to Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, and select Disable device, then right-click again and select Enable device.
3. If still not working, uninstall the adapter (right-click → Uninstall device) and then restart your PC – Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename my Bluetooth device without admin rights?

The Settings method usually works without admin rights, but the Device Manager method requires administrator privileges. If you don’t have admin, stick with Settings.

Will renaming affect my paired devices?

Paired devices that are already connected may continue to work, but some might not recognize the new name and may need to be re-paired. It’s a good idea to re-pair if you have issues.

How long can the Bluetooth name be?

Windows allows up to 248 characters, but most devices display only the first 20-30. Keep it short for best compatibility.

Can I use emojis in the Bluetooth name?

Technically, Windows may allow some Unicode characters, but many devices don’t support them, and they may appear as garbled text. Stick to standard alphanumeric characters.

Why does my PC’s Bluetooth name keep changing back?

This can happen if a group policy or third-party software manages the device name. Check if you have any PC management software installed, and contact your IT admin if this is a work PC.

Does renaming the Bluetooth device also rename my computer on the network?

No. The Bluetooth name is separate from your computer’s network name. To change the network name, go to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC.

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