# Quickly Fix: Bluetooth Not Working **URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/bluetooth-not-working-windows/ **Author:** Ayushi Chauhan **Published:** 2023-03-01 **Updated:** 2023-03-01 **Categories:** Blogs **Reading Time:** 8 min --- It Bluetooth Not Working all of a sudden, which can be a big problem if you need to share files right away. Is it hard for your [Android](https://compsmag.com/best/android-phone/)and [iPhone phone](https://compsmag.com/best/iphones/) to connect to Bluetooth devices? Before you start to worry about what's wrong with your [headphones](https://compsmag.com/best/headphone/)or [speakers](https://compsmag.com/best/speaker/), you should try some simple fixes on your phone. After upgrading to [Windows 11](https://compsmag.com/reviews/windows-11-review/), many people had the same problem when they tried to connect their Bluetooth devices. In this article, we'll show you how to get around the problem in a few different ways. ## Bluetooth Not Working on Windows 11/10 ![Bluetooth Not Working ](https://compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/12-15.jpg) ### Add a Bluetooth Icon To The Notification Area 1. Use the [keyboard](https://compsmag.com/best/keyboards/) shortcut Windows + I to access Windows Settings. 2. Choose **Bluetooth & devices** from the left sidebar. 3. Click the **View more devices** option. 4. Scroll down and choose the **More Bluetooth settings** option. 5. Check the box following the **Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area** option in the pop-up window that emerges. Click on the **OK **button to save the settings. ### Restart Bluetooth Support Service 1. Access the Run prompt, and press **Windows + R** keys simultaneously. 2. Type **services.msc** and press Enter key to access the Windows services. 3. Look for the three Bluetooth-related services, namely Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service, Bluetooth Support Service, and Bluetooth User Support Service. 4. Double-click to access the Properties window for each of these services. Set the Startup type to Automatic and make sure to Start the service. Once done, press the Ok button at the bottom. ### Re-install Bluetooth Driver 1. Right-click the [Windows](https://compsmag.com/best/windows-apps/)icon on the taskbar to bring up the quick access menu and choose the **Device Manager** option. 2. Expand the Bluetooth category and right-click the Bluetooth driver. Choose the Uninstall device option this time. 3. On the warning window that pops up, choose the **Uninstall** option. ### Run Windows 11 Bluetooth Troubleshooter 1. Click **Start -> Settings -> System**. 2. Click **Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters**. 3. Click **Run** button next to **Bluetooth** to instantly run Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter. It will automatically detect and fix possible Bluetooth issues in your Windows 11 computer. ### Update Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11 1. Press **Windows + X** and select **Device Manager** to open Device Manager in Windows 11. 2. Expand **Bluetooth** category. 3. Right-click the Bluetooth device and select **Update driver**. 4. Choose **Search automatically for drivers** option and it will automatically search and install the available newer driver for the Bluetooth device. 5. Alternatively, you can also select **Uninstall device** to uninstall the Bluetooth driver. Then [restart your computer](https://compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-restart-computer/) and Windows will automatically install a new driver for the Bluetooth device. ### Make sure Bluetooth is discoverable 1. Press **Windows key + I** to open up the **Settings** menu. 2. Once inside the **Settings** menu, click on **Bluetooth** **& devices** from the vertical menu on the left. 3. Next, move over to the right-hand section of the screen and check if the **Bluetooth** slider is set to **ON**. ### Run an SFC and DISM Scan 1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin). Or, search for Command Prompt via Windows Search (press Windows + S) and select Run as administrator. 2. Select Yes on the User Account Control pop-up. 3. Run the following commands one after the other: - sfc /scannow - DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth You can get more help at the[Microsoft Support Center](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us). ## Bluetooth Not Working On Android ![Bluetooth Not Working ](https://compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/12-13.jpg) ### Turn Off Bluetooth and Then Turn It On Again One of the easiest things you can try is turning Bluetooth off and on again. To do this, swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notifications menu. Then, look for the Bluetooth icon and tap it to turn off Bluetooth. Tap the icon again after a minute to turn Bluetooth back on. ### Check the Distance Between the Devices Make sure that the devices you are trying to connect are close enough to each other. About 30 feet is as far as a Bluetooth connection can go. If the devices are farther apart than this, it's likely that they won't connect. Walls and other things can also get in the way of the Bluetooth signal and cause problems. If your Bluetooth audio playback is choppy, it could be because other devices are getting in the way. Move your Bluetooth device away from other electronics to see if that improves the quality of the connection. ### Clear the Bluetooth Cache and Storage One thing you could do to fix problems with Bluetooth is to clear the Bluetooth cache. This will get rid of any temporary Bluetooth data that has been stored on your phone. Open the Settings app and go to**App management > App list to clear the Bluetooth cache**. If you can't find the Bluetooth app, tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen and choose Show system. It will show you all the system apps, including the Bluetooth app. Find the Bluetooth app by scrolling down. Tap on it and then choose Storage and cache. You can clear the Bluetooth cache and storage using the options in the Storage and cache menu. ### Check for Troublesome Apps 1. Open **Settings > App management > App list**. 2. From here, disable the first app, restart your [phone](https://compsmag.com/best/smartphone/), and check if the issue is resolved. If Bluetooth is now working, it means this is the troublesome app. 3. If the problem persists, disable the second app and restart your phone again. Then test Bluetooth again. 4. Keep going until you find the app that's causing the problem. ## Bluetooth Not Working on iPhone ### Toggling Bluetooth mode If your iPhone is having trouble finding your Bluetooth device, a simple toggle can sometimes do the trick. Tap **Settings > Bluetooth**to turn off your Bluetooth. Next, turn off your device and then turn it back on. Then, go to the settings and turn on Bluetooth. Check the Bluetooth settings to see if your device now shows up under "MY DEVICES." Please make sure to use the Settings app to turn Bluetooth on and off instead of the control center. ### Reset Network Settings Tap Settings, then General, then Reset, and then tap "Reset Network Settings." Please keep in mind that you may need to enter your Wi-Fi name and password again after the reset process is done. ### Pair and unpair the Bluetooth device If you can see your Bluetooth device on the list under "MY DEVICES" in settings but are having trouble connecting, you can reset the Bluetooth device. Tap the I on the right side of the row and choose "Forget This device." Turn your iPhone off and on again, and then try connecting to the Bluetooth device again to see if it works. ## Why Bluetooth not working in Windows 11 **Versions that don't work together:** Even though Bluetooth is meant to be universal, devices that need different versions of the standard can sometimes cause problems. **Bluetooth isn't working right or is turned off.** This is a problem that can be fixed quickly in the Windows Settings menu. **Drivers are not compatible or up-to-date** – When your Bluetooth drivers are out of date or have settings that don't work well together, it can be very hard to use them. **Bugs that happen randomly and only for a short time.** Like any other digital component, Bluetooth can sometimes go wrong for no clear reason. ## FAQ #### How do I fix missing Bluetooth on Windows 11 One of the most common Bluetooth problems is when the device you're trying to connect doesn't show up on the list your phone looks through when it searches. Most of the time, this happens because the device's Bluetooth is either off or not in pairing mode. You can turn on pairing mode by reading the user manual, which will tell you how to make it easy to find. Some headphones require you to hold down the power button for a longer time, while others have a button that is just for connecting to Bluetooth devices. #### Why is Bluetooth not finding devices - Open Start. - Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app. - Expand the Bluetooth category. - Right-click the hardware and select the Enable device option to turn on the missing Bluetooth. #### Why is my Bluetooth speaker not showing Windows 11 If your Bluetooth audio device does not show in the Device Manager, ensure it's paired to your PC. Then, go to Device Manager and click Scan for hardware changes. This will prompt Windows to scan for newly added hardware and automatically install the required drivers. #### How can I restore my Bluetooth - Turn off Bluetooth and then turn it back on. Find out how to turn on and off Bluetooth. - Make sure that your devices are connected and paired. Find out how to connect and pair with Bluetooth. - Restart your devices. Find out how to restart your Pixel or Nexus phone or tablet. --- *End of Article*