Try these steps in order:
- Check that Bluetooth is actually on
- In Windows 10: Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Also check the taskbar Action Center and turn on Bluetooth there if needed.
- In Windows 11: open Quick settings from the taskbar or go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and confirm Bluetooth is on.
- Check the device being paired
- Make sure the Bluetooth device is powered on.
- Charge it or replace its batteries.
- Turn the device off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Keep it close to the PC.
- If it is near a USB 3.0 device, move it farther away because unshielded USB devices can interfere with Bluetooth.
- Make sure the device is in pairing/discovery mode
- If the PC does not show available devices, the Bluetooth device may not be discoverable.
- Turn on the device’s pairing mode. For supported devices, Swift Pair can help when the device is nearby and in pairing mode.
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
- In Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth > Run.
- On supported systems, the Get Help app can also run automated Bluetooth diagnostics.
- Update the Bluetooth driver
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth and find the Bluetooth adapter.
- Right-click it and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers.
- If the PC manufacturer provides a newer Bluetooth driver, download and install it from the manufacturer’s support site.
- Restart the PC if prompted.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Bluetooth adapter
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device.
- Shut down the PC, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically.
- If it does not, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Check Airplane mode
- In Windows 11, press Windows + A and make sure Airplane mode is off.
- Install optional firmware or system updates
- In Windows 11: Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
- Install any available optional updates, then restart.
- If none are available, check the PC manufacturer’s support site for BIOS, UEFI, or firmware updates.
- If Bluetooth is missing or grayed out
- This can be caused by driver or firmware problems.
- First do a full shut down, not restart: hold Shift and select Start > Power > Shut down, wait 1 minute, then power the PC back on.
If Bluetooth still turns on but no devices appear after these steps, the most likely next area to check is the PC manufacturer’s Bluetooth driver or firmware for that specific model.
- [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-10)
- Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-11)
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-disappeared-in-windows#solution-3-install-optional-firmware-updates-from-your-pc-manufacturer)
- Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-disappeared-in-windows#summary)