A Bluetooth mouse or keyboard fails to reconnect after being left idle

Applies to: Windows 8Windows 8 ProWindows 8 Enterprise More

Symptoms

After not using your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard for some time, you may not be able to use the device again without rebooting the system or turning your Bluetooth radio off and back on. This article applies to your symptoms if the following conditions are also true:

Your computer has a Bluetooth radio
The Windows option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is set.
The keyboard or mouse is Bluetooth 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, or 4.0.

You can check these settings by doing the following:

Windows 10:

Right-click on Start, and select Device Manager.
In Device Manager, click the arrow next to Bluetooth, and select the Bluetooth radio.
Right-click the Bluetooth radio and select Properties.
Select the Power Management tab, and see if there is a check next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Windows 8:

1. Select the Search charm and type Device Manager.

2. Select Settings. Device Manager should be listed in the results. Click on Device Manager.

3. In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth and select the Bluetooth radio.

4. Right-click on the Bluetooth radio and select Properties.

5. On the Power Management tab, Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is enabled if the checkbox is checked.

Windows 7:

1. Click the Start button and type Device Manager in the Search box.

2. Click on Device Manager in the Results window.

3. In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth and select the Bluetooth radio.

4. Right click on the Bluetooth radio and select Properties.

5. On the Power Management tab, Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is enabled if the checkbox is checked.

Cause

The Bluetooth radio is not resuming from a low-power state correctly.

Resolution

On the Advanced tab for the Properties of your Bluetooth radio, check the HCI and LMP versions.

If these versions are 6.0 or higher, then update to the latest radio driver available by checking Windows Update. If there is no update available, check with the manufacturer of your PC using their support site. You can also uncheck the box next to the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option in the Device Manager, as listed above.

To access Windows Update:

Windows 10: Select Start, and choose Settings. Click on Update and Security.

Windows 8: Select the Search charm and type “Windows Update”. Select "Settings" and click on the "Windows Update" program icon.

Windows 7: Click the Start button and type "Windows Update". Click "Windows Update" from the Results window.

If the HCI and LMP versions are 5.x or lower, uncheck the checkbox for “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2017