Fix Bluetooth connection problems in Windows 11

Here is a complete guide to fixing Bluetooth connection problems & pairing issues, covering all scenarios, on your Windows 11/10 computer. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets you connect one device to another wirelessly. After connecting two devices wirelessly via Bluetooth, you can transfer files from one device to another. Today, different types of Bluetooth devices are available in the market, including Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth speakers, etc. Hence, the use of Bluetooth technology is not limited to file transfer. You can listen to music via Bluetooth headsets and speakers, play video games by connecting a Bluetooth controller to your computer, etc. Sometimes Bluetooth devices refuse to connect to a Windows computer. In this case, we cannot use our Bluetooth device. There are several reasons a Bluetooth device may refuse to connect to a computer.

Reasons why a Bluetooth device cannot pair with a Windows computer

Before we discuss solutions to Bluetooth connection problems, it is necessary to understand why a Bluetooth device refuses to pair with another device. Let’s look at some reasons a Bluetooth device might not pair with a Windows computer.

1. Out of range: This is the most common cause why a Bluetooth device cannot find another device to pair with. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that works within a range of approximately 10 meters. When connecting your Bluetooth devices, make sure both are within range.
2. Battery: The Bluetooth devices run on a battery. If the battery is low or drained out, the devices will not be able to connect with each other. Hence, if you are experiencing connection issues with your Bluetooth devices, make sure they are fully charged (if they use rechargeable batteries) and that the batteries are new (if they use non-rechargeable batteries).
3. Interference: Interference is one of the causes of Bluetooth connection issues. Bluetooth technology operates at 2.45 GHz. If your computer uses another wireless technology on the same frequency, you may experience interference with your Bluetooth devices. If this happens, it will result in a Bluetooth disconnection.
4. Incompatibility: Most Bluetooth devices are backward compatible. This means that devices with a higher Bluetooth version can connect to devices with a lower Bluetooth version. But this is not the case with all Bluetooth devices. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), or Bluetooth Smart, is the technology found on a few Bluetooth devices. These types of devices are not compatible with standard Bluetooth devices.

Fix Bluetooth connection problems in Windows 11

Above, we have seen some common causes of Bluetooth connection issues. Now, let’s talk about how to fix Bluetooth connection problems in Windows 11/10 devices. You can try the following solutions if you are facing Bluetooth connection issues on your Windows 11/10 computer. Before you proceed, we suggest you restart your computer, as the problem may be due to a minor glitch that can only be resolved by restarting Windows. Also, try turning off the Bluetooth on your computer and then turning it on again. Sometimes, toggling a computer’s Bluetooth fixes Bluetooth connectivity issues. If this does not help, go through the following fixes.

1. Make sure that the Bluetooth of your PC is turned on
2. Check if the Airplane mode is turned on
3. Check your Bluetooth device’s battery
4. Check your Bluetooth device
5. Restart your Bluetooth device
6. Check for interference issues
7. Remove your Bluetooth device and add it again
8. Run the appropriate troubleshooter
9. Update and reinstall your Bluetooth drivers
10. Rollback your Bluetooth driver or uninstall the latest Windows Update
11. Restart Bluetooth Support Service
12. Configure the Bluetooth Support Service
13. Check the status of the Device Association Service
14. Perform a System Restore
15. Perform an In-place Upgrade

Below, we have explained all these fixes in detail.

1] Make sure that the Bluetooth of your PC is turned on

Check if you have turned on the Bluetooth of your computer. The button to turn on and off the Bluetooth is available in Windows 11/10 Settings.

2] Check if the Airplane mode is turned on

Turning on Airplane mode disables all wireless connections on your Windows device. Hence, it is a quick way to turn off all wireless connections in one go. Bluetooth is also a wireless connection. Therefore, turning on Airplane mode will automatically turn off Bluetooth. Check if you have turned on Airplane mode by mistake. If yes, turn it off.

Some laptops have a dedicated function key to toggle the Airplane mode. If your laptop does not have this function key, you can enable or disable it via Windows 11/10 Settings and Quick Settings.

3] Check your Bluetooth device’s battery

Make sure that your Bluetooth device is completely charged. If your Bluetooth device uses non-rechargeable batteries, replace them, then check whether you can connect it to your computer. Also, make sure that your Bluetooth device is within range; otherwise, your PC will not be able to detect it.

4] Check your Bluetooth device

Sometimes the problem is with the Bluetooth device rather than the Windows computer. To confirm whether your Bluetooth device is working, connect it to another computer (if available). If no other computer is available, you can test your Bluetooth device by connecting it to your friend’s computer. If the Bluetooth device connects to your friend’s computer but not to your computer, the problem might be with your Bluetooth drivers. We will discuss this later in the article.

If your Bluetooth device is not connecting to another computer, contact your device manufacturer. If your device is under warranty, you can replace it (as per the manufacturer’s policies).

5] Restart your Bluetooth device

Another effective solution for Bluetooth connection problems is to restart the Bluetooth device. The steps for the same are as follows:

1. Power off your Bluetooth device.
2. Wait for a few minutes.
3. Turn on your Bluetooth device.

Now, see if you can connect it to your computer. If not, try the other solutions.

6] Check for interference issues

As we explained earlier in this article, one cause of Bluetooth connection problems is interference. Interference occurs when any of the following conditions are satisfied:

• When you have placed your Bluetooth device near the USB 3.0 port.
• When your computer is connected to another wireless network that uses the same frequency as Bluetooth.

If your laptop has a USB 3.0 port, you may experience Bluetooth connection issues when your Bluetooth device is near the USB 3.0 port. This usually happens when a USB device is connected to the USB 3.0 port. This occurs because USB 3.0 cables tend to emit radio frequencies that can interfere with Bluetooth devices. The solution to fix this issue is to place the Bluetooth device away from the USB 3.0 port.

If your computer is connected to another wireless network that uses the same frequency band as Bluetooth, you may experience connection issues with Bluetooth devices due to interference. Wi-Fi signals can operate on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If your Wi-Fi signal uses 2.4 GHz, it may interfere with Bluetooth devices. To get rid of this problem, change the frequency of your Wi-Fi signal from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.

Read: Bluetooth headphones show up as two devices in Windows 11/10.

7] Remove your Bluetooth device and add it again

One effective way to fix Bluetooth connection issues is to remove the device from your computer, then add it again. If your Bluetooth device was connecting to your computer previously but now you are facing connection issues with your Bluetooth device, the Bluetooth device is already added to your computer. In this case, removing the Bluetooth device from the computer and adding it again can fix the problem.

The steps for the same are written below:

1. Open the Bluetooth & Devices page of your Windows 11/10 Settings.
2. Select your Bluetooth device and click Remove device. This action will remove the Bluetooth device from your computer.
3. After removing the Bluetooth device, turn off the Bluetooth device and restart your computer.
4. When the computer restarts, turn on your Bluetooth device. Now, open the Bluetooth & devices page in Settings and click on the Add device button to add your Bluetooth device.

Your Bluetooth device should now connect to your computer.

Fix: Try connecting your device again Bluetooth Error in Windows 11

8] Run the appropriate troubleshooter

Windows devices come with built-in troubleshooting tools. You can run the appropriate troubleshooter to fix the problem that you are facing. Because you are experiencing Bluetooth connection issues on your Windows device, running the Bluetooth troubleshooter and Hardware & Devices troubleshooter can help.

To run Bluetooth troubleshooter on Windows 11, open the Settings app and go to “System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.” Now, click on the Run button next to Bluetooth.

On Windows 10, open Settings and go to “Update & security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.” Select Bluetooth and click on the Run button.

UPDATE: Microsoft has deprecated the MSDT-based Windows Troubleshooters. You have to use the new Get Help based Bluetooth Troubleshooter.

9] Update and reinstall Bluetooth drivers

One possible cause of the problem is the outdated and corrupted Bluetooth drivers. A driver is a piece of software that tells an operating system which type of device is connected to it. When a driver malfunctions, you may experience several issues with the respective device.

If you are still experiencing Bluetooth connection issues on your Windows device, you should update your Bluetooth device drivers. On Windows computers, you can update your Bluetooth device driver via Windows Optional Update feature (if an update for your Bluetooth device driver is available there).

If this does not work, we suggest you uninstall the currently installed Bluetooth driver from your system. Then visit the official website of your Bluetooth device manufacturer. Download the latest version of your Bluetooth device driver and install it manually.

10] Rollback your Bluetooth driver or uninstall the latest Windows Update

If the issue started occurring after a specific Windows Update, it means your Bluetooth driver was updated along with the Windows Update. In that case, you can uninstall the latest driver and revert to the previous one. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Win + X keys and select the Device Manager.
2. When the Device Manager opens up, locate your Bluetooth device driver.
3. Right-click on it and select Properties.
4. Click on the Driver tab and see if the Roll Back option is available. If yes, click on it. This process will uninstall the latest driver update and install the previous version of your Bluetooth device driver.

Now, check if the issue persists. If yes, uninstall the latest Windows Update.

Read: Bluetooth keyboard or mouse keeps going to Sleep

11] Restart the Bluetooth Support Service

The Bluetooth Support Service is responsible for the proper functioning of the Bluetooth devices connected to a Windows computer. If this service is not running or you have stopped it by mistake, you may experience several issues with your Bluetooth devices. Check the status of the Bluetooth Support Service and start it if it is stopped.

The steps to restart Bluetooth Support Service are as follows:

1. Launch the Run command box and type services.msc. Click OK. This command will open the Services Management window.
2. In the Services app, locate Bluetooth Support Service.
3. Once you find it, check its status. If its status shows Running, right-click on it and select Restart. If it is not running, right-click on it and select Start.
4. After starting it, double-click on it to open its properties.
5. Click on the Startup type drop-down and select Automatic.
6. Click Apply and then click OK.

12] Configure the Bluetooth Support Service

If restarting the Bluetooth Support Service does not fix your problem, configure it by following the steps given below and check if it helps.

1. Open the Service Management window by following the process explained in the previous solution.
2. Locate the Bluetooth Support Service. Double-click on it to open its properties.
3. Select the Log On tab.
4. Now, select This Account and type Local Service in the required field.
5. Delete the password in the Password and Confirm Password fields.
6. Click Apply and then click OK.

13] Check the status of the Device Association Service

The Device Association Service enables pairing between a Windows device and a wireless device. If this service is not running, you may face connection issues with your wireless devices. Check its status in the Services app. The steps for the same are written below:

1. Open the Services app.
2. Locate Device Association Service.
3. If its status does not show Running, right-click on it and select Start.

14] Perform a System Restore

If you have created a system restore point, you can restore your system and check if this fixes the problem. This method is useful if the System Restore Point was created when there were no Bluetooth connection issues.

15] Perform an In-place Upgrade

If none of the above methods fixed your problem or if the Bluetooth is missing or it is greyed out in Windows Settings, performing an in-place upgrade can fix the issue.

Hope this helps.

Read: Fix Bluetooth audio stuttering in Windows 11.

Why does my Bluetooth keep disconnecting on Windows 11?

There might be multiple reasons your Bluetooth device keeps disconnecting on Windows 11, such as low battery, corrupted or outdated Bluetooth drivers, interference from other wireless connections or USB 3.0 devices, etc. This problem can occur on any Bluetooth device, like a Bluetooth mouse, Bluetooth controller, etc.

To fix this problem, you can try the solutions outlined above.

How do I fix the Bluetooth pairing problem?

If Bluetooth devices are not pairing with your Windows computer, you can try some general solutions, such as restarting your Windows device, power-cycling your Bluetooth device, replacing your Bluetooth device’s batteries, or running the Bluetooth troubleshooter.

Read next: Fix Bluetooth not working after waking from Sleep.