Bluetooth is now a standard feature used to connect wireless devices such as speakers, keyboards, headphones, and phones to your computer. Users also experience problems when they pair Bluetooth devices, including the device being hidden, freezing in the middle, or throwing error messages. Such problems tend to annoy the users, particularly while performing urgent work, such as having a Zoom conference call, transferring an important file, etc. There may be several reasons for problems of this kind, including out-of-date drivers, services disabled, system updates missing, etc.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore solutions for this problem. We’ll learn some simple and quick fixes, and more advanced system-level solutions, or skip the complicated steps and automatically fix this issue by using Advanced Driver Updater. We’ll also know some bonus tips so that you can avoid such Bluetooth-related problems in the future, following an FAQ section to solve your doubts.

But before diving into solutions, first know the common signs that your Bluetooth is not working properly. Because there can also be something else wrong with your PC so finding whether it’s the Bluetooth or something else that is creating the problem is necessary.

Common Signs that your Bluetooth is not working.

It is simpler to know first what is causing the issue, and then fix it, rather than go through every possible solution. This will help in speeding up the troubleshooting process. Here are some common signs that show your Bluetooth is not working properly:

• Bluetooth is not visible in the settings: The first and clear sign is that your Bluetooth device is missing from the options list. If this happens, it means you have a problem with the driver or some hardware issue.
• Bluetooth doesn’t Turn On: Sometimes, you turn on Bluetooth, but it automatically turns off or doesn’t turn on in the first place. This issue arises when you have an outdated system file, a corrupt driver, or a misconfigured service.
• Paired Devices won’t Connect: The devices that are already paired with your computer stop connecting automatically and also don’t connect manually.
• Bluetooth Keeps Disconnecting: Your Bluetooth may disconnect after successfully pairing or stop working. This can be annoying when you are on a Zoom call or watching something. The reason for this can be power-saving settings, driver issues, or interference.
• No sound or Functionality even when connected: Even when your wireless devices show connected, you cannot hear the audio or are not capable of performing any function. This happens when the device is not connected properly or Windows is not routing input/output correctly.
• Device shows Error Messages: Sometimes, some error message pops up saying “Couldn’t Connect. Try Again.” or “Device Driver Unavailable.” These alerts pop up when you have issues with the Bluetooth drivers.
• Unable to see Bluetooth icon in Taskbar: You can’t see the Bluetooth icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar because the Bluetooth Adapter might be turned off, not working, or not recognized by Windows.
• Windows can’t find nearby Devices: Sometimes, even if your Bluetooth is in pairing mode and kept right next to your PC, it doesn’t show the device name. It keeps scanning but doesn’t find nearby devices. This can occur when your PC’s Bluetooth stops working properly or is turned off at the hardware level.

General Fixes (You Should Try First)

Before jumping into complex solutions, let’s first try basic fixes like a few simple checks and quick adjustments in your Windows to fix the problem with Bluetooth Devices on your PC. Given are some general fixes you should try first:

1. Restart Your Computer.

The easiest and simplest solution is to restart your PC. Restarting the PC might sound too simple, but it can clear the background glitches affecting Bluetooth connectivity. A quick reboot can sometimes fix the Bluetooth connectivity problem.

• Click on Start menu > Power > Restart.

2. Check If Bluetooth is Turned on.

Make sure that your Bluetooth is turned on or not. Open Settings and on the left, click on Bluetooth & Devices. Check there if the Bluetooth toggle is turned on or not. If the toggle is missing, then it means that you have a problem with the Bluetooth Driver (continue in the next fixes).

Also, check the Action Center (Windows key + A) if the Bluetooth is turned on there too, or not.

3. Check If Airplane Mode is Off or Not.

If the Airplane Mode is on, it will disable all the wireless communication of your device, including Bluetooth. So, make sure it is turned off.

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode.
• Ensure the toggle is turned off from there or not.

Also, check the Action Center, and turn off Airplane Mode from there, too.

4. Check If Your Bluetooth is Available for Connection.

Ensure your device is turned on or Bluetooth is enabled for pairing mode. Your Bluetooth should not be connected to another device, and if you are using headphones or speakers, press and hold the pairing button until the indicator light turns on. Keep the Bluetooth device close to your computer while pairing.

5. Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter.

Windows has a built-in Troubleshooter to fix some basic problems in your computer. Run the Troubleshooter and check for any fixes. Here is how you can run Troubleshooter on your computer:

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
2. Click on ‘Other Troubleshooters’.
3. Navigate to ‘Bluetooth’ and then click on ‘Run’.
4. Follow the instructions that will appear.

Manual Fixes (Little Technical but more Effective)

If the general fixes don’t work in fixing your Bluetooth issues in Windows. Don’t worry! There can be software glitches, missing drivers, or service issues that we can resolve manually with little effort. Here are the fixes that can recover your Bluetooth functionality:

1. Check Device Manager For Bluetooth Hardware.

Before going further into settings, first check that your PC’s system detects the Bluetooth adapter. Device Manager shows all the hardware and drivers. If the hardware is missing or inactive, you can’t see Bluetooth options at all in the settings. Here is how to check:

Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ and click on ‘Device Manager’.

Step 2: From the list, select ‘Bluetooth’. If it’s missing, then expand ‘Network Adapters’ or ‘Other Devices’.

Step 3: Check for devices named ‘Intel Wireless Bluetooth’, ‘Realtek Bluetooth Adapter’, ‘Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth’. If you see any one of them, then your system has Bluetooth Hardware.

Step 4: Click on ‘Driver’ and check if it’s enabled or not. If it is not enabled, then click on ‘Enable Device’.

If it shows any yellow warning icon, this means the driver might be corrupted or outdated. (Try the next fixes.)

Note: If Bluetooth hardware doesn’t show at all, try checking in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) if it’s enabled there or not. Or it can be physically disabled via a hardware switch or function keys (like Fn + F2).

2. Restart Bluetooth Services.

You need to check if the Bluetooth services are enabled or not for Bluetooth to function well. Even if your drivers or hardware are working fine, you still need to check whether Bluetooth services are working fine. Here is how you can restart Bluetooth services:

Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ and type ‘services.msc’. Click ‘OK’.

Step 2: Find the three services – Bluetooth Support Service, Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service, and Bluetooth User Support Service.

Step 3: Now, double-click on each service and in the Startup Type select ‘Automatic’. Click ‘Start’ if the service is not running. At last, click ‘Ok’.

3. Manually Update Bluetooth Driver.

If the Bluetooth Drivers are outdated or missing, this will cause Bluetooth connectivity issues. Updating drivers manually can solve this issue. The following are the steps you can follow to update them manually:

Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ and select ‘Device Manager’.

Step 2: Double-click and expand ‘Bluetooth’.

Step 3: Now, right-click on Bluetooth Adapter (e.g., Intel, Realtek) and select ‘Update Driver’.

Step 4: Next, select ‘Search Automatically for Drivers’.

If it shows ‘Best Drivers Already Installed’, then visit your computer’s manufacturer website (like HP, Lenovo, Dell, etc) and search for the model. Download the latest Bluetooth driver manually and run the installer. Last, restart your computer.

If all of this doesn’t work, then move on to the next fix.

4. Reinstall Bluetooth Driver.

If updating your Bluetooth driver doesn’t work, try reinstalling it. It can fix corrupted installations and missing files. Here is how you can reinstall drivers:

Step 1: Again, Press ‘Windows + X’ and open Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand the ‘Bluetooth’ section and right-click on your Bluetooth Adapter (e.g., Intel, Realtek) as given above.

Step 4: Now, select ‘Uninstall Device’ from the dialog box.

Step 5: Next, check the box prompting ‘Attempt to remove the driver for this device’ and click on ‘Uninstall’.

Step 6: Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the default Bluetooth Drivers.

If you want to check, after restarting again, go to the Device Manager and confirm the device under Bluetooth. If it doesn’t show, then click on ‘Action’ and then select ‘Scan for hardware changes’.

5. Check for Windows Update.

Windows Updates can include driver updates and service patches that can resolve issues with Bluetooth functionality, particularly after a major OS upgrade or clean installation. The following are the steps to check for any Windows updates:

Step 1: Go to Settings or press ‘Windows + I’ to open Settings.

Step 2: Select ‘Windows Update’ in the bottom left of the page. Now, click ‘Check for Updates’ on the top right of the page.

Step 3: If updates are found, then download and install them.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

6. Disable Bluetooth Power Saving

Windows occasionally disables Bluetooth adapters to save power. If Bluetooth is not functioning properly, it might be because the operating system has disabled the Bluetooth adapters.

How to disable Bluetooth Power Saving:

Step 1: Press Windows + X and click on Device Manager.

Step 2: Open the Bluetooth section.

Step 3: Right-click on the Bluetooth adapter you are using (e.g., Intel Wireless Bluetooth), and click on Properties.

Step 4: Choose the Power Management tab.

Step 5: Uncheck:

“Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

Step 6: Choose Ok and restart your PC.

7. Check if Bluetooth is Disabled in BIOS

There are times when Bluetooth may be turned off from the BIOS and will not be seen by Windows until you toggle it back on.

To enable Bluetooth in BIOS:

Step 1: Restart your PC.

Step 2: Simply put, press F2, DEL, or F10 repeatedly when booting while the system is trying to access the disk.

Step 3: Go to –

• Wireless Settings
• Integrated Devices
• Or equivalent, whatever your BIOS is responsive to.

Step 4: Find Bluetooth or wireless radio and enable it.

Step 5: Save the settings and exit BIOS (usually F10).

Note: If you’re not sure, refer to your PC or motherboard’s manual, or you may end up making the wrong BIOS changes.

Tips to Avoid Bluetooth-Related Problems in the Future

To make your work easier, it is better to prevent such problems from occurring in the future, too. Resolving such issues at once is good, but avoiding the risk of them occurring again in the future is much better. The following are some tips that can help you avoid such Bluetooth-related problems in the future:

• Keep your Drivers Up to Date.

Outdated drivers are the main cause of any problem arising in your system. Updating them from time to time will ensure the system’s performance. Advanced Driver Updater automatically updates any outdated drivers in your system, saving you time and effort.

• Install Windows Updates Timely.

Microsoft regularly releases updates to fix bugs and improve hardware performance, including Bluetooth driver updates. Not checking for updates timely manner can keep known issues unresolved.

• Do not pair too many Devices.

Pairing too many Bluetooth devices to your PC, especially if unused, can overwhelm the system and cause connection errors. So, removing unnecessary Bluetooth devices can make a PC’s system clean and work smoothly.

• Maintain a Clean Boot Setup.

Unnecessary start-up programs and background services can disturb the Bluetooth functionalities. Disabling them can make your system’s performance better. Use Task Manager to disable useless programs.

• Make sure of a Strong Signal Environment.

Bluetooth uses short-range radio waves, so ensure there is no physical obstruction or wireless signals like Wi-fi routers, etc. Physical obstruction and too many wireless signals can weaken the connectivity of your Bluetooth device. Keep the device within a 10-meter range.

• Don’t Interrupt Pairing Process.

Avoid unplugging, restarting, or force-stopping processes while a device is in the ‘Pairing’ or ‘Connecting’ process. This can corrupt the connectivity.

Conclusion

Bluetooth is essential if you rely on wireless devices for your daily tasks. Whether it’s connecting headphones, sending important files, or just needing a wireless mouse to work with, facing problems connecting can frustrate users. In this guide, we’ve covered all the solutions you need to fix a minor glitch in the system, a missing driver, or a service that stopped working. First, try general fixes, then manual fixes, and if doing all fixes, your problem persists and you want a simple, quick, and hassle-free solution, Advanced Driver Updater can manage and fix that all.

By following this detailed guide, you can not only fix Bluetooth-related problems but also prevent them from happening in the future. Now, your Bluetooth can return to what it does best — wirelessly connecting the world.