My device is not connected in Bluetooth

Jeremy Heath 0 Reputation points
2026-10-25T21:43:07.2733333+00:00

In the Settings, my device is listed under Bluetooth. However, it is not connecting.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-25T21:43:39.0066667+00:00

    Remove the existing Bluetooth entry and pair the device again, because Windows 11 specifically recommends re-pairing when a device appears in Settings but will not connect.^1^

    Remove and pair the device again

    1. Charge the Bluetooth device, then turn it off and back on.
    2. Put it into pairing mode. The exact button sequence depends on the device; an indicator light usually flashes while pairing.
    3. On the PC, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
    4. Find the device, select More options (…) > Remove device, and confirm.
    5. Select Add device > Bluetooth.
    6. Select the device when it appears and complete any displayed pairing prompt.
    7. Keep the device close to the PC during pairing.

    If the device is also paired with a phone, tablet, or another computer, temporarily turn off Bluetooth on that other system so it does not reconnect there instead.

    If it still will not connect

    Perform these steps in order, testing the device after each one:

    1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
      • Open the Get Help app.
      • Search for Bluetooth troubleshooter and run the automated diagnostics. Microsoft recommends this as the first Windows 11 diagnostic for connection failures.^1^
    2. Reset the Bluetooth radio
      • Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
      • Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on.
    3. Install Windows updates
      • Open Settings > Windows Update.
      • Select Check for updates.
      • Install available updates and restart the PC.^1^
    4. Install the PC manufacturer’s Bluetooth driver
      • Identify the exact laptop or motherboard model.
      • From that manufacturer’s official support site, download the latest Windows 11 Bluetooth/Wireless driver for that model.
      • If it is an .exe file, run it and restart Windows.
      • If the download contains .inf and .sys files, open Device Manager > Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, and select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers. Browse to the downloaded folder, install the driver, and restart.^2^

    Driver reinstall fallback

    If updating the correct driver does not help:

    1. Right-click Start > Device Manager.
    2. Expand Bluetooth.
    3. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter—not the headphones, keyboard, or other peripheral—and select Uninstall device > Uninstall.
    4. Select Start > Power > Shut down.
    5. Turn the PC back on; Windows should reinstall the adapter automatically.^2^
    6. If it does not reappear, open Device Manager > Action > Scan for hardware changes, then install the manufacturer’s driver manually.

    If several Bluetooth devices all fail after these steps, contact the PC manufacturer with the exact model number; persistent adapter errors can require model-specific driver or firmware troubleshooting.

    References

    1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/troubleshoot-bluetooth-not-connecting-in-windows)
    2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-11)
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  2. John Jefferson Doyon 90,250 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-25T22:19:52.0466667+00:00

    Hi, @Jeremy Heath

    To help narrow this down:

    1. What Bluetooth device are you trying to connect?
    2. Does it show as “Paired” or “Connected” in Settings?
    3. Was it working before, or is this the first time connecting it?

    In the meantime, try these steps:

    • Restart your PC and try again.
    • Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
    • Restart your PC and the Bluetooth device.
    • If already paired, remove the device under Settings > Bluetooth & devices, then pair it again.
    • Update the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager.

    Click “Add comment” to let me know.

    Thanks!

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  3. Emma1-N 14,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-28T04:47:51.3766667+00:00

    Welcome Jeremy Heath,

    Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand the Bluetooth device appears in Windows 11 Settings, but it does not establish a connection.

    Before proceeding, could you let me know:

    • When you try to connect, does Windows display any error message or does the connection simply fail?
    • Are other Bluetooth devices able to connect successfully to this PC?

    In the meantime, you can try these steps:

    1, Check the Bluetooth services.

    • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
    • Locate Bluetooth Support Service.
    • If it is stopped, start it. If it is already running, restart it.
    • Set its Startup type to Automatic.

    2, Check the Bluetooth adapter status.

    • Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
    • Expand Bluetooth.
    • Check whether the Bluetooth adapter shows a yellow warning symbol or an error.
    • If there is an error, please provide the error code shown under Properties > General.

    3, Disable Bluetooth adapter power saving.

    • In Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Properties.
    • If a Power Management tab is available, open it.
    • Clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
    • Restart the PC and test the connection again.

    4, Check whether the Bluetooth service reports an error.

    • Press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc, and press Enter.
    • Open Windows Logs > System.
    • Try connecting the Bluetooth device again, then check for a Bluetooth-related warning or error generated at approximately the same time.

    Looking forward to your update.

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