Google's Connect Chromebook to Bluetooth devices article says a Chromebook that works with Bluetooth can connect keyboards, mice, speakers, headphones and audio-only headsets, and that you can check by selecting the time at the bottom right and looking for a Bluetooth icon. To pair, turn Bluetooth on from that panel, select Pair new device, and put the accessory in pairing mode first (Bluetooth on, discoverable). Fast Pair accessories are detected automatically and are tied to your Google Account, so they switch between devices easily; if Fast Pair fails, pair manually from Settings, Bluetooth, Pair new device.
Two limits catch people: a phone cannot pair to a Chromebook with Bluetooth (use Phone Hub or the Android connection instead), and paired devices stay paired even when someone else uses the Chromebook. There is no Bluetooth driver to reinstall.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Bluetooth is missing, will not pair or disconnects”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Bluetooth is off
What separates it There is no connected device and the toggle is gray
How to confirm Select the time, choose Bluetooth and toggle it on, as Google's article says
- 2
The accessory is not in pairing mode
What separates it The Chromebook cannot find it because the accessory is not in pairing mode
How to confirm Put the accessory in pairing mode and keep it close
- 3
A phone is being paired
What separates it The phone never appears as a Bluetooth device because a phone is being paired
How to confirm Google says a phone cannot pair to a Chromebook with Bluetooth; use the Android phone connection instead
- 4
A stale pairing or Fast Pair fault
What separates it The device shows paired but does not connect because of a stale pairing or Fast Pair fault
How to confirm Remove it and pair manually from Settings, Bluetooth, Pair new device
- 5
A hardware or software fault
What separates it Bluetooth is missing or fails for every accessory because of a hardware or software fault
How to confirm Restart, run a Safety Reset, then contact Acer Support
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which accessory fails, its make, and whether it works with another device
- Whether the Bluetooth icon appears in the panel at the bottom right
- Whether it is a school or work Chromebook
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck Bluetooth is available
ReversibleCheck Bluetooth is available, by selecting the time at the bottom right and looking for the Bluetooth icon.
Turn Bluetooth on
ReversibleTurn Bluetooth on, by toggling it on in the panel or under Settings, Bluetooth, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Put the accessory in pairing mode
ReversiblePut the accessory in pairing mode, with Bluetooth on, discoverable, in pairing mode, as Google's article says.
Pair the device
ReversiblePair the device, by selecting Pair new device and choosing the accessory from the list.
Remove and re-pair
ReversibleRemove and re pair, by removing an old pairing and pairing again from Settings, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart
ReversibleRestart the Chromebook, and test the Bluetooth connection again after it comes back on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Try Safety Reset
ReversibleTry Safety Reset, in Settings, System preferences, Reset, Safety reset, then test again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Fast Pair
- Google lists Chromebook models that support Fast Pair; check the list for your exact model number if the feature does not appear. Manual pairing works on every Bluetooth-capable Chromebook.
- Repair cost
- A Bluetooth fault is nearly always pairing or a setting, which costs nothing. If the radio hardware is at fault, Most laptop repairs run $99 to $299 at an independent shop and a diagnostic is free, per BadgerLayer's 2026 repair guide.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no Bluetooth icon appears and the model should have one, contact Acer Support
- !If every accessory fails after a restart and a Safety Reset, book a service check
- !If a managed Chromebook blocks Bluetooth, contact your administrator
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Checking Bluetooth support, pairing, Fast Pair and saved devices.
Related resource for connection faults.
The Chromebook and ChromeOS platform.
Shop price ranges for screen, battery, keyboard and charging-port repairs.
Exact questions
Common questions
Should I restart the accessory too?+
Yes. Turn the headphones or keyboard off and on, then put them back in pairing mode; a stuck accessory looks like a Chromebook fault.
Why do my earbuds work on my phone and not my Chromebook?+
They may be paired to the phone and not in pairing mode. Put the earbuds back in pairing mode, then choose Pair new device on the Chromebook.
What are devices saved to my account?+
Fast Pair accessories are associated with your Google Account. Google says to manage them under Settings, Bluetooth, Devices saved to your account rather than the Quick Settings menu.
Should I reset the Chromebook for a Bluetooth fault?+
Only as a late step. Remove the pairing, restart and try Safety Reset first; a Powerwash erases the drive, so back up before using it.
How do I know my Chromebook has Bluetooth?+
Select the time at the bottom right. If you see a Bluetooth icon, it works with Bluetooth, per Google's article.
Can I pair my phone with Bluetooth?+
No. Google says your phone cannot pair to your Chromebook with Bluetooth; use the Android phone connection instead.
What is Fast Pair?+
A feature that detects a supported accessory in pairing mode, pairs it and associates it with your Google Account so you can switch devices easily.
Why do my headphones connect and then drop?+
A weak link, low battery or another device grabbing them. Move closer, charge them and disconnect other devices.
Should I keep a wired mouse?+
A spare wired or USB mouse is useful when a Bluetooth one fails, though the Chromebook's touchscreen and touchpad also work.
Can I pair Pixel Buds?+
Yes. Google's article says to open the case, press the back button until the light pulses, then choose Pair new device in Bluetooth settings.