Bluetooth is a widely used technology for connecting devices wirelessly. However, connecting to Bluetooth can sometimes result in issues. This article covers most common issues related to Bluetooth such as Bluetooth not pairing, Bluetooth audio issues, missing Bluetooth and more, along with step-by-step troubleshooting solutions for each.
Run the Windows Bluetooth troubleshooter
If you are using a Windows 11 device, start by running the automated Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will automatically run diagnostics and attempt to fix most Bluetooth problems. If you are using an older version of Windows or a mobile device, please skip to Common Bluetooth issues in Windows 11 section.
If the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help app is unable to resolve your issue, select your specific Bluetooth problem from the Common Bluetooth issues in Windows 11 section below and follow the provided steps. If your issue is not listed, refer to the General Bluetooth troubleshooting in Windows 11 section and follow the outlined steps there.
General Bluetooth troubleshooting in Windows 11
Please try the following general troubleshooting steps to help solve the Bluetooth problem.
Step 1. Verify Bluetooth compatibility for your Windows 11 device
If you’re setting up a new device and Bluetooth is missing, check the product specifications to make sure it has Bluetooth capabilities. Some devices don’t have Bluetooth.
Step 2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on
If you're using a laptop with a physical Bluetooth switch on the body, make sure it’s switched on.
In Windows 11, there are two ways to check if Bluetooth is turned on. Here’s how:
Check in quick settings: Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons (
) on the right side of the taskbar, look for the Bluetooth
quick setting, then select Bluetooth
to turn it on. You’ll see “Not connected” if your Windows 11 device isn’t connected to any Bluetooth accessories.
Check in Settings: Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
. Make sure Bluetooth
is turned on.
Note
- When you turn Bluetooth on in Settings, the following message appears immediately:
- "Discoverable as <computer_name>"
Step 3. Check your Bluetooth device
Make sure your Bluetooth device is turned on, is charged or has fresh batteries, and is in range of your PC. Then, try the following:
- Turn off your Bluetooth device, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Make sure your Bluetooth device is in range. If your Bluetooth device is unresponsive or sluggish, check to make sure it’s not too close to any other USB device that’s plugged into a USB 3.0 port. Unshielded USB devices can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connections.
Step 4. Change the Bluetooth devices discovery setting
If you don't see your Bluetooth device displayed in the list of devices, you may need to set your Bluetooth devices discovery setting to Advanced.
Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
> Devices
.Under Device settings > Bluetooth devices discovery, choose one of the following from the drop-down list:
- Default—displays common Bluetooth devices
- Advanced—displays all types of Bluetooth devices
If you still don't see your Bluetooth device displayed after choosing the Advanced setting, try the solutions listed below.
Step 5. Verify Bluetooth hardware and settings on your Windows 11 PC
On the PC you want to pair to:
- Make sure airplane mode is off: Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons (
) on the right side of the taskbar, then make sure the Airplane mode
quick setting is turned off. - Turn Bluetooth on and off: Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
. Turn off Bluetooth
, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: Select Start
> Settings
> Bluetooth & devices
> Devices
. In Devices, select More options
for the Bluetooth device you’re having problems connecting to, and then select Remove device > Yes. To learn more about pairing your Bluetooth device again, see Pair a Bluetooth device.
Step 6. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Select Start
> Settings
> System
> Troubleshoot
> Other troubleshooters
. Next to Bluetooth
, select Run and follow the instructions.
Step 7. Make sure you have the latest drivers
If you recently upgraded to Windows 11 or installed Windows 11 updates, the current driver may have been designed for an earlier version of Windows. To automatically check for driver updates:
- Select Search
on the taskbar, type for device manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results. - In Device Manager, select Bluetooth, and then select the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word “radio.”
- Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter, and then select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the steps, then select Close.
- After installing the updated driver, select Start > Power > Restart if you're prompted to restart, and then check whether that fixes the connection issue.
If Windows can’t find a new Bluetooth driver, visit the PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest Bluetooth driver from there.
Important
An outdated or incompatible driver is one of the most common causes of Bluetooth connection problems.
To manually install the Bluetooth driver:
Go to your PC manufacturer's website and download the latest driver. Then do one of the following:
If you downloaded an executable (.exe) file, just double-click the file to run it and install the drivers. That should be all you need to do.
If you downloaded individual files, and at least one file has an .inf file name extension and another has a .sys extension, do the following:
- Select Search
on the taskbar, type device manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
- In Device Manager, select Bluetooth > the Bluetooth adapter name. (If it’s not listed there, check in Other devices.)
- Press and hold (or right-click) the network adapter, and then select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Browse, select the location where the driver files are stored, and then select OK.
- Select Next, and follow the steps to install the driver. When the installation is finished, select Close.
- After you've updated the driver, select Start
> Power
> Restart
if you're prompted to restart, and check whether that fixes the connection issue.
- Select Search
Step 8. Uninstall the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager
If you don't see the Bluetooth icon, but Bluetooth does appear in Device Manager, try to uninstall the Bluetooth adapter, and then trigger an automatic reinstall. Here's how:
- Select Search
on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the results.
- In Device Manager, select Bluetooth. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter name (which may include the word “radio”), and select Uninstall device > Uninstall.
- Select Start
, then select Power
> Shut down
.
- After your device shuts down, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.
- If Windows doesn't reinstall the driver automatically, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
Note
You may need to contact your PC or other hardware manufacturer to get the latest drivers for your Bluetooth adapter.
Common Bluetooth issues in Windows 11
The following list describes the most common Bluetooth problems in Windows 11. Select a link to view the troubleshooting steps for each issue.
- Fix Bluetooth disappeared in Windows
- Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows
- Troubleshoot transferring files using Bluetooth
- Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound issue on Windows
- Bluetooth keeps disconnecting in Windows
- Update Bluetooth drivers in Windows
- Fix Bluetooth audio only playing in one channel
