Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows (2024)

SelectStart >Settings >System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters . Next to Bluetooth , selectRunand 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, typefordevice 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 Start >Power>Restartif 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Important:An outdated or incompatible driver is one of the most common causes of Bluetooth connection problems.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 Managerfrom 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 Start >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 uninstallthe 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 fixyour 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 bedisabled by your organization. Check with your IT support person.

• 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, type0000on 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 onlywhen necessary.
  To remove a Bluetooth device, select Start > Settings >Bluetooth & devices > Devices . InDevices, select More options 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, seePairaBluetooth 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 >Settings >System >Sound . Select Choose where to play sound then select the Bluetooth device.

• If your Bluetooth device displays asPairedin Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices , but you can’t hear audio, make sure it’s connected. InDevices, select More options next to the device, and then selectConnect.

• Try to remove the Bluetooth device, then pair it again. To remove a Bluetooth device, select Start > Settings >Bluetooth & devices > Devices . InDevices, select More options 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, seePairaBluetooth device.

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

• Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. SelectStart >Settings >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 moreinfo, seeFix sound or audio 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 aplayback device.

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

  3. If stereo is not available as an option,remove thedevice inSettings >Bluetooth & devices > Devices ,and then add the device again. Then, check theVolume panel 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 Send 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 doingwhen the problem occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this info.

Open Feedback Hub

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 uninstallthe 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 fixyour 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

• 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 onlywhen 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 Pair aBluetooth 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 Pairedbut 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 Pair aBluetooth 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 moreinfo, seeFix sound or audio 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 aplayback 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 thedevice in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devicesand 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 registrybefore attempting to modify it.

1. Make sure you've installed the latest updates from Windows Update.(Asolution for this issue was included in theOctober 24, 2018—KB4462933 (OS Build 17134.376) updatefor 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 featureby making a change in the registry. To do this, selectStart andtypecmd.Right-clickCommand Promptin 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

   Youmay 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 doingwhen the bug occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this information.

Open Feedback Hub