Systems, methods and devices for initiating pairing of wireless surgical instruments to a modular energy system are disclosed herein. In various aspects, a modular energy system includes an a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that is configured to read an RFID card that is uniquely associated with a surgical instrument. When the RFID reader reads the RFID card, the RFID reader initiates a wireless pairing process with the surgical instrument. Initiating the wireless pairing process may include causing the module energy system to wirelessly search for the surgical instrument and causing a display screen to display instructions for wirelessly pairing the surgical instrument.