Things I Will and Wont Can Again

Not finding what you need?

Try the Get Help app!

If you run into problems trying to connect to a Bluetooth device, here are some troubleshooting steps to try.

Before you start

Check these things before you start troubleshooting Bluetooth on your device:

Check your product information

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.

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 the taskbar. Select the Network icon on the right side of the taskbar, look for the Bluetooth quick setting, then selectBluetoothto turn it on. You'll see "Not connected" if your Windows 11 device isn't paired to any Bluetooth accessories.

• Check in Settings. Select theStartbutton, then enter settings. SelectSettings>Bluetooth & devices. Make sureBluetoothis turned on.

Note:When you turn Bluetooth on in Settings, the following message appears immediately:
"Discoverable as <computer_name>"

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.

Check your PC

On the PC you want to pair to:

• Make sure airplane mode is off:Select the Network icon on the right side of the taskbar, then make sure theAirplane modequick setting is turned off.

• Turn Bluetooth on and off:SelectStart, then type settings. SelectSettings>Bluetooth & devices. Turn offBluetooth, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

• Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: SelectStart, then enter settings. SelectSettings>Bluetooth & devices > Devices. InDevices, select More options (the three vertical dots) for the Bluetooth device you're having problems connecting to, and then selectRemove device> Yes. To learn more about pairing your Bluetooth device again, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

When Bluetooth doesn't work or the Bluetooth icon is missing

Try these steps if your Bluetooth isn't working. Here are some other common problems:

• The Bluetooth icon is missing or Bluetooth can't be turned on or off.

• Bluetooth doesn't work after a Windows update is installed.

• Bluetooth doesn't work after you upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

• Bluetooth doesn't appear in Device Manager, and there are no unknown devices listed.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

SelectStart, then enter settings. SelectSettings>System > Troubleshoot> Other troubleshooters. Next to Bluetooth, selectRun and follow the instructions.

Open Troubleshoot settings

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:

1. Select Search on the taskbar, search forDevice Manager, and then selectDevice Managerfrom the list of results.

2. In Device Manager, selectBluetooth, and then select the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word "radio."

3. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter, and then selectUpdate driver >Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the steps, then selectClose.

4. After installing the updated driver, select theStartbutton, selectPower>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:

  1. Select Search on the taskbar, typeDevice Manager, and then selectDevice Manager from the list of results.

  2. In Device Manager, selectBluetooth > the Bluetooth adapter name. (If it's not listed there, check inOther devices.)

  3. Press and hold (or right-click) the network adapter, and then selectUpdate driver >Browse my computer for drivers.

  4. SelectBrowse, select the location where the driver files are stored, and then selectOK.

  5. SelectNext, and follow the steps to install the driver. When the installation is finished, selectClose.

  6. After you've updated the driver, select theStartbutton, selectPower>Restart if you're prompted to restart, and check whether that fixes the connection issue.

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:

1. Select Search on the taskbar, enterdevice manager, then selectDevice Managerfrom the results.

2. In Device Manager, selectBluetooth. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter name (which may include the word "radio"), and selectUninstall device > Uninstall.

3. SelectStart, then selectPower>Shut down.

4. After your device shuts down, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.

5. If Windows doesn't reinstall the driver automatically, open Device Manager and selectAction >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.

If these steps don't fix your Bluetooth problem, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft determine the root cause of the problem.

Include details about what you were doing or specific steps you were taking when the problem occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this info.

Open Feedback Hub

Note:If your school or workplace manages your device and you don't see the Bluetooth icon, it may be disabled by your organization. Check with your IT support person.

Troubleshoot problems with Bluetooth accessories

If you can turn on Bluetooth but having problems pairing or using a Bluetooth accessory, try the following steps to try to fix common problems with Bluetooth accessories.

You should also check your Bluetooth device manufacturer's website—especially if you have other Bluetooth devices that are working. The device manufacturer will probably have more detailed, product-specific information and troubleshooting steps.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

• If you're prompted to enter a PIN to use your device, but you don't know the PIN:

  • Check the device's documentation for a pin, or look for one on the device itself.

  • Try0000or1234.

• If you're prompted to enter a PIN, but you don't see a place to enter one on your PC's screen, type0000 on your Bluetooth keyboard and press Enter.

• Try to remove the device, then pair it again. Your device might be paired, but not connected—Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and pens connect only when necessary.
  To remove a Bluetooth device, select theStart button, then enter settings. SelectSettings>Bluetooth & devices > Devices. InDevices, select More options (the three vertical dots) for the Bluetooth device that's paired but not working, then selectRemove device> Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If you're having problems connecting a Bluetooth audio device or hearing sound:

• Make sure the audio device is within range of your PC.

• Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. SelectStart, then enter settings. SelectSettings>System>Sound. Select Choose where to play sound then select the Bluetooth device.

• If your Bluetooth device displays asPaired in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, but you can't hear audio, make sure it's connected. InDevices, select More options (the three vertical dots) next to the device, and then selectConnect.

• Try to remove the Bluetooth device, then pair it again. To remove a device, selectStart, then enter settings. SelectSettings>Bluetooth & devices > Devices. InDevices, select More options (the three vertical dots) for the Bluetooth device that's paired but not working, then selectRemove device> Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If your device is connected, but the audio quality is poor:

• Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. SelectStart, then enter settings. SelectSettings>System>Sound. InChoose where to play sound, select the Bluetooth audio device.

• Pause other things that might be using Bluetooth, such as file-sharing over Bluetooth. For more info, see Fix sound problems in Windows.

• Verify that stereo is selected for the Bluetooth device to ensure the best quality audio. To do this:

  1. On the right side of the taskbar, clickVolume, and then select Manage audio devices (>) to choose a playback device.

  2. Select the Bluetooth device, and make sure theStereo option is selected. (The lower-audio quality option isHands-Free.)

  3. If stereo is not available as an option, remove the device inSettings>Bluetooth & devices > Devices, and then add the device again. Then, check theVolumepanel again to make sure that stereo is selected.

File sharing

If you're having problems sharing files over Bluetooth:

• Try using nearby sharing. Learn more about nearby sharing

• Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both the sending and receiving device. For more info, see Share files over Bluetooth.

Note:Nearby sharing is available on Windows 10 (version 1803 and later) and on Windows 11.

Phones

The PIN should appear on your phone screen or computer screen. Confirm that you're seeing the correct PIN on both devices.

Motion controllers

For help troubleshooting problems with Bluetooth-connected motion controllers, see Controllers in Windows Mixed Reality.

Fitness trackers

For help troubleshooting problems with Bluetooth-connected fitness trackers, see your device manufacturer's instructions.

If you've tried the steps in this article or don't see a solution to the problem, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft determine the root cause of the problem.

Include specific details about what you were doing when the problem occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this info.

Open Feedback Hub

Not finding what you need?

Try the Get Help app!

If you run into problems trying to connect to a Bluetooth device, here are some troubleshooting steps to try.

Before you start

Check these things before you start troubleshooting Bluetooth on your device:

Check your product information

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.

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 10, there are two ways to check if Bluetooth is turned on. Here's how:

• Check in the taskbar. Select action center ( or ). If you don't see Bluetooth, select Expand to reveal Bluetooth , then select Bluetoothto turn it on. You'll see "Not connected" if your Windows 10 device isn't paired to any Bluetooth accessories.

• Check in Settings. Select Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices . Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

Notes:

• When you turn Bluetooth on in Settings, the following message appears immediately:

• "Now discoverable as <computer_name>"

Check your Bluetooth device

Make sure your device is turned on, is charged or has fresh batteries, and is in range of the PC you want to connect to. 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.

Check your PC

On the PC you want to pair to:

• Make sure airplane mode is off: Select Start, then select Settings > Network & Internet  > Airplane mode . Make sure Airplane modeis turned off.

• Turn Bluetooth on and off: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices . Turn off Bluetooth, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

• Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices .. In Bluetooth, select the device you're having problems connecting to, and then select Remove device > Yes. To learn more about pairing your Bluetooth device again, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

When Bluetooth doesn't work or the Bluetooth icon is missing

Try these steps if your Bluetooth isn't working. Here are some other common problems:

• The Bluetooth icon is missing or Bluetooth can't be turned on or off.

• Bluetooth doesn't work after a Windows 10 update is installed.

• Bluetooth doesn't work after you upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

• Bluetooth doesn't appear in Device Manager, and there are no unknown devices listed.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

Select Start , then select Settings > Update & Security  > Troubleshoot . InFind and fix other problems, select Bluetooth, and then select Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.

Open Troubleshoot settings

If you recently upgraded to Windows 10 or installed Windows 10 updates, the current driver may have been designed for an earlier version of Windows. To automatically check for driver updates:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, search forDevice Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.

2. In Device Manager, select Bluetooth, and then select the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word "radio."

3. 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.

4. After installing the updated driver, select the Start  button, select 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:

  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.

  2. In Device Manager, select Bluetooth > the Bluetooth adapter name. (If it's not listed there, check in Other devices.)

  3. Press and hold (or right-click) the network adapter, and then select Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software.

  4. Select Browse, select the location where the driver files are stored, and then select OK.

  5. Select Next, and follow the steps to install the driver. When the installation is finished, select Close.

  6. After you've updated the driver, select the Start  button, select Power > Restart if you're prompted to restart, and check whether that fixes the connection issue.

If you don't see the Bluetooth icon, but Bluetooth does appear in Device Manager, try to uninstall the Bluetooth adapter and trigger an automatic reinstall. Here's how:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enterdevice manager, then select Device Manager from the results.

2. In Device Manager, selectBluetooth. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter name (which may include the word "radio"), and selectUninstall device.

3. Select Start , then select Power > Shut down .

4. After your device shuts down, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.

5. If Windows doesn't reinstall the driver automatically, open Device Manager and selectAction >Scan for hardware changes.

Note:You may need to contact your PC or other hardware manufacturer to obtain the latest drivers for your Bluetooth adapter.

If these methods don't fix your Bluetooth problem, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft determine the root cause of this issue.

Include details about what you were doing or specific steps you were taking when the bug occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this information.

Open Feedback Hub

Note:If your school or workplace manages your device and you don't see the Bluetooth icon, it may be disabled by your organization. Check with your system administrator.

Troubleshoot problems with Bluetooth accessories

If you can turn on Bluetooth but are having problems pairing or using a Bluetooth accessory, use the following methods for troubleshooting common problems with Bluetooth accessories.

You should also check your device manufacturer's website, especially if you have other Bluetooth devices that are working. The device manufacturer will probably have more detailed, product-specific information and troubleshooting steps.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

• If you're prompted to enter a PIN to use your device, but you don't know the PIN:

  • Check the device's documentation for a pin, or look for one on the device itself.

  • Try 0000 or 1234.

• If you're prompted to enter a PIN, but you don't see a place to enter one on your PC's screen, type 0000 on your Bluetooth keyboard and press Enter.

• Try to remove the device, then pair it again. Your device might be paired, but not connected—Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and pens connect only when necessary.
  To remove a Bluetooth device, select Start  button, then select Settings > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices . Select the Bluetooth device that's paired but not working, then select Remove device > Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If you're having problems connecting a Bluetooth audio device or hearing sound:

• Make sure the audio device is within range of your PC.

• Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. Select Start , then select Settings > System  > Sound . InChoose your output device, select the Bluetooth device.

• If your device displays as Paired but you can't hear audio, make sure it's connected. Select Start , then select Settings > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices . InBluetooth, select the device, and then select Connect.

• Try unpairing, then re-pairing, the device. To unpair a device, select Start , then select Settings > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices . Select the Bluetooth device that's paired but not working, then select Remove device > Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If your device is connected, but the audio quality is poor:

• Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. Select Start , then select Settings > System  > Sound . InChoose your output device, select the Bluetooth audio device.

• Pause other things that might be using Bluetooth, such as file-sharing over Bluetooth. For more info, see Fix sound problems in Windows.

• Verify that stereo is selected for the Bluetooth device in order to ensure the best quality audio. To do this:

  1. On the right side of the taskbar, click Volume  and then select the chevron icon to choose a playback device.

  2. Select the Bluetooth device, and make sure the Stereo option is selected. (The lower-audio quality option is Hands-Free.)
     

  3. If stereo is not available as an option, remove the device in Settings  > Devices  > Bluetooth & other devices  and then re-add the device. Then, check the Volume  panel again to make sure that stereo is selected.

If your Bluetooth volume controls no longer work after you install a Windows update, follow these steps.

Warning:Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For added protection, back up the registry before attempting to modify it.

1. Make sure you've installed the latest updates from Windows Update. (A solution for this issue was included in the October 24, 2018—KB4462933 (OS Build 17134.376) update for Windows 10 version 1803.)

   To check for updates, select Start , and then go toSettings  >Update & security  >Windows Update  >Check for updates.

2. Manually disable the Absolute Volume feature by making a change in the registry. To do this, selectStart and typecmd. Right-clickCommand Prompt in the Search results and selectRun as administrator.

3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

   reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

   You may need to restart Windows for the registry change to take effect.

   Notes:

   • To re-enable the Absolute Volume feature, type the following command in the Command Prompt window:

   • reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

File sharing

If you're having problems sharing files over Bluetooth:

• Try using nearby sharing. Learn more about nearby sharing

• Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both the sending and receiving device. For more info, see Share files over Bluetooth.

Note:Nearby sharing is only available on Windows 10, version 1803 and later.

Phones

The PIN should appear on your phone screen or computer screen. Confirm that you're seeing the correct PIN on both devices.

Motion controllers

For help troubleshooting problems with Bluetooth-connected motion controllers, see Controllers in Windows Mixed Reality.

Fitness trackers

For help troubleshooting problems with Bluetooth-connected fitness trackers, see your device manufacturer's instructions.

If you've tried the steps in this article or don't see a solution to the problem, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft determine the root cause of this issue.

Include specific details about what you were doing when the bug occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this information.

Open Feedback Hub

stullprideaped.blogspot.com

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows-723e092f-03fa-858b-5c80-131ec3fba75c

Share this post