Bluetooth Not Connecting? 13 Ways to Fix It

Quick Fix

If your Bluetooth won’t connect, try this: Turn Bluetooth off and on in Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Put your device in pairing mode (usually hold the power button until LED flashes). Click “Add device” and select your device. If it still won’t connect, remove the device from paired devices and pair it fresh. This fixes most Bluetooth issues.

Why Bluetooth Fails to Connect

Bluetooth connection problems are frustrating because the technology is supposed to “just work.” When your Bluetooth device won’t connect, it could be due to the device not being in pairing mode, too many paired devices, outdated drivers, interference from other devices, or Windows Bluetooth service issues.

Common symptoms include devices not appearing in the list, pairing that fails midway, devices that pair but won’t stay connected, or Bluetooth being completely missing from settings. Let’s troubleshoot each scenario.

Method 1: Toggle Bluetooth Off and On

A simple toggle often resets the Bluetooth stack and fixes connection issues.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click Bluetooth & devices
3. Toggle Bluetooth OFF
4. Wait 10 seconds
5. Toggle Bluetooth ON
6. Try connecting your device again

You can also toggle Bluetooth quickly from the Action Center (Windows + A) by clicking the Bluetooth icon.

Method 2: Put Device in Pairing Mode

Your Bluetooth device must be in pairing mode to be discovered by your computer.

Common Pairing Mode Methods:

• Headphones/Earbuds: Hold power button for 5-7 seconds until LED flashes rapidly (often blue/red)
• Speakers: Press and hold Bluetooth button until LED blinks
• Keyboards: Press Bluetooth/Connect button or key combination (check manual)
• Mice: Press pairing button on bottom or hold power button
• Game Controllers: Hold pairing button (Xbox: hold top button, PS: hold Share + PS button)

Once in pairing mode, the device should appear in your computer’s Bluetooth device list.

Method 3: Remove and Re-pair Device

Corrupted pairing data can prevent connections. Removing and re-pairing creates a fresh connection.

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices
2. Find your device under “Paired devices” or “Other devices”
3. Click the three dots next to it
4. Select “Remove device”
5. Put your Bluetooth device back in pairing mode
6. Click “Add device” at the top
7. Select “Bluetooth”
8. Click your device when it appears
9. Follow any pairing prompts

Method 4: Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix Bluetooth issues.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
3. Find “Bluetooth” and click “Run”
4. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan
5. Apply any recommended fixes
6. Restart your computer if prompted

Method 5: Update Bluetooth Drivers

Outdated Bluetooth drivers are a common cause of connection failures.

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
2. Expand “Bluetooth”
3. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter (e.g., “Intel Wireless Bluetooth”)
4. Select “Update driver”
5. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”
6. Restart your computer after updating

If no update is found:

1. Go to your laptop/PC manufacturer’s website
2. Search for your model’s drivers
3. Download the latest Bluetooth driver
4. Install it manually

Method 6: Restart Bluetooth Services

Windows Bluetooth services might have stopped or malfunctioned.

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type services.msc and press Enter
3. Find “Bluetooth Support Service”
4. Right-click it and select “Restart”
5. Also restart “Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service” if present
6. Try connecting your device again

If the service was stopped, right-click > Properties > Set “Startup type” to Automatic.

Method 7: Check Airplane Mode

Airplane mode disables all wireless connections including Bluetooth.

1. Press Windows + A to open Action Center
2. Ensure Airplane mode is OFF
3. If it’s on, click to turn it off
4. Wait a moment for wireless radios to turn back on
5. Bluetooth should now be available

Method 8: Check Device Battery and Distance

Basic requirements that are often overlooked.

• Battery: Ensure your Bluetooth device has sufficient charge. Low battery can prevent pairing or cause disconnections.
• Distance: Keep devices within 30 feet (10 meters). Walls and obstacles reduce range.
• Line of sight: Remove obstructions between the devices if possible.
• Interference: Move away from USB 3.0 devices, WiFi routers, microwaves, and other 2.4GHz devices that can interfere.

Method 9: Reinstall Bluetooth Driver

If updating didn’t work, a clean reinstall might fix corrupted driver files.

1. Open Device Manager
2. Expand “Bluetooth”
3. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter
4. Select “Uninstall device”
5. Check “Delete the driver software for this device” if available
6. Click Uninstall
7. Restart your computer
8. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver

Method 10: Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates often include Bluetooth driver updates and bug fixes.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Click “Check for updates”
4. Install all available updates
5. Click “Advanced options” > “Optional updates”
6. Install any driver updates listed
7. Restart your computer

Method 11: Reset Network Settings

Network reset also resets Bluetooth adapters and can fix persistent issues.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet
2. Scroll down and click “Advanced network settings”
3. Click “Network reset”
4. Click “Reset now”
5. Your computer will restart
6. You’ll need to re-pair all Bluetooth devices

Warning: This also resets WiFi settings. You’ll need to reconnect to WiFi networks.

Method 12: Check BIOS Settings

Bluetooth might be disabled in your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings.

1. Restart your computer
2. Press the BIOS key during startup (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc)
3. Navigate to Wireless or Advanced settings
4. Ensure Bluetooth is Enabled
5. Save and exit BIOS

Method 13: Use a Bluetooth Dongle

If your built-in Bluetooth is faulty, an external USB Bluetooth adapter is an affordable solution.

• Purchase a USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter (around $10-20)
• Plug it into a USB port
• Windows should install drivers automatically
• Disable the internal Bluetooth in Device Manager to avoid conflicts
• Use the USB adapter for all Bluetooth connections

Preventing Future Bluetooth Issues

• Keep Windows and drivers updated
• Don’t pair too many devices (remove unused ones)
• Keep Bluetooth devices charged
• Avoid interference from other wireless devices
• Don’t disable Bluetooth services
• Restart Bluetooth periodically if issues occur frequently

FAQ

Why is Bluetooth not showing in Settings?

If Bluetooth is completely missing from Settings, your Bluetooth driver may be uninstalled, disabled, or corrupted. Check Device Manager for Bluetooth adapter. If it’s missing, check BIOS settings to ensure Bluetooth is enabled, or try reinstalling drivers from your PC manufacturer’s website.

Why won’t my Bluetooth headphones connect to my PC?

Ensure headphones are in pairing mode (LED flashing rapidly). Remove them from paired devices and pair fresh. Check that they’re not connected to another device like your phone. Some headphones only connect to one device at a time.

Why does my Bluetooth keep disconnecting?

Frequent disconnections are usually caused by interference, low battery, distance issues, or power management settings. Go to Device Manager > Bluetooth adapter > Properties > Power Management and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

How do I fix Bluetooth paired but not connected?

If a device shows as paired but won’t connect, remove it from paired devices and pair again. Also try: restart Bluetooth services, update drivers, and ensure the device isn’t connected to another computer or phone.

Why can’t my PC find any Bluetooth devices?

If no devices appear during scanning: ensure devices are in pairing mode (not just powered on), move devices closer, check that Bluetooth is actually on, restart Bluetooth services, and try updating drivers. Some devices have a limited pairing window.

Can I use Bluetooth and WiFi at the same time?

Yes, but they can interfere since both use 2.4GHz frequency. If you experience issues, try using 5GHz WiFi to avoid interference, or move Bluetooth devices away from your router. Modern adapters handle this better than older ones.