Phone Link will not connect

First identify whether the phone is Android or iPhone, because the available documentation here supports the detailed reconnection procedure only for Android; if it is an iPhone, provide the phone model and iOS version rather than applying the Android steps below.

If the phone is Android

Because the pairing previously worked, start by refreshing both apps rather than creating another connection immediately.

1. Update Phone Link on the PC
   • Open Phone Link → Settings → About → Updates.
   • Install any available update and allow Phone Link to reopen.
2. Update Link to Windows on the phone
   • Open Link to Windows → Settings → Check for updates.
   • After updating, close and reopen Phone Link.
   • If the update is not recognized after a few minutes, restart the phone and reopen Phone Link. ^1^
3. Check the account and power state
   • Confirm Phone Link and Link to Windows are signed in with the same Microsoft account.
   • Temporarily turn off Battery saver on both devices.
   • On Android, open Settings → Apps → Link to Windows → Battery and choose Don’t optimize or the manufacturer’s equivalent, such as Unrestricted. Menu names vary by phone. Battery optimization can interrupt the connection. ^1^
4. Check the connection used for discovery
   • Keep the phone and laptop nearby, awake, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network while re-establishing the pairing. ^2^
   • On the phone, note the network under Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
   • On Windows 11, compare it with Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
   • If separate 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz network names exist, temporarily place both devices on the exact same one. ^3^

Same Wi-Fi is important during setup and for Phone screen. Normal Android content syncing can also use mobile data when Link to Windows → Settings → Sync over mobile data is enabled. ^1^

Relink if the phone remains missing

1. Close and reopen Phone Link on the laptop.
2. Start Android setup again so that Phone Link displays a QR code.
3. On the phone, open Link to Windows and use its in-app camera to scan the QR code.
4. Accept all requested permissions; these allow the PC to access the selected phone content. ^4^

If matching codes failed more than three times, linking is temporarily blocked for security. Close and reopen Phone Link, then restart setup from the PC; the next flow should request permissions instead of another code match. ^2^

If it still cannot discover the phone

• VPN/firewall test: Disconnect a VPN temporarily and test again. If testing a third-party firewall, pause it only long enough to test, then immediately restore it. Public and managed workplace networks can block device-to-device communication. ^3^
• Router isolation: If both devices are on the same private Wi-Fi but cannot communicate, check the router’s Wireless → Advanced Wireless Settings for AP Isolation/Wireless Isolation. Record its original state before changing it; if enabled, temporarily disable it and retest. This setting prevents Wi-Fi devices from communicating with one another. ^1^
• Background operation: If earlier checks fail and Windows exposes this setting, ensure Phone Link is permitted to run in the background. Windows menu paths vary by build. Also check Settings → System → Shared experiences and complete any Fix now account prompt shown there. ^1^

For an iPhone, state the iPhone model, iOS version, and the exact message shown in Phone Link so the correct Bluetooth-based procedure can be selected.

References

1. Troubleshooting the Phone Link
2. Troubleshooting setup for the Phone Link | Microsoft Support
3. Troubleshooting Phone screen for the Phone Link | Microsoft Support
4. [Android](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/apps/phonelink/phone-link-requirements-and-setup#how-to-link-your-devices-starting-from-phone-link)