If Bluetooth is not detecting devices and you are facing problems with Bluetooth devices in Windows 11/10, then this post will help you troubleshoot the issue. Maybe you cannot connect using a Bluetooth device, or maybe the connection fails. If you are facing problems where your Bluetooth devices are not showing, pairing or connecting, or not finding devices in Windows 11/10, then this post will help you fix the issue.
Read: How to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11.
Bluetooth devices not showing in Windows
The method suggested below should resolve the issue encountered by some users. The Bluetooth connectivity problem can be related to a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, or even headphones that are already paired but not able to connect, in case you upgrade recently from an older version of Windows, i.e., 11 or 10 or 8 to Windows 8.1. In such situations, it is always recommended to first check the error displayed. If you do find a message flashing on your computer screen, verify the status of the Bluetooth speakers in the Device Manager first. It needs to be Enabled. If it is, then read on.
Bluetooth not detecting devices
If your Bluetooth devices are not showing, pairing or connecting, or not finding devices, try these suggestions:
- Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
- Restart Bluetooth Support Service
- Enable the Bluetooth Audio Service
- Update Bluetooth Device Driver.
You may need an admin account to execute some of the steps.
1] Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
The built-in Hardware Troubleshooter scans for issues and makes sure that any new device or hardware attached to your computer is installed correctly or not. To run the troubleshooter, do the following:
- Open Run prompt
- Type and Press the Enter key after typing the following msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
- It will launch the hardware troubleshooter.
Read: Bluetooth device Paired but Not Connected in Windows
2] Restart Bluetooth Support Service
You may want to check if the related Services are started and running smoothly. To do this, press Windows key + R, type services.msc. Next, right-click on the Bluetooth Support service and select Restart.
Right-click on Bluetooth support service and select Properties, and ensure that the startup type is Automatic.
The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices. Stopping or disabling this service may cause already installed Bluetooth devices to fail to operate properly and prevent new devices from being discovered or associated.
Read: Bluetooth keyboard paired but not working on Windows
3] Enable the Bluetooth Audio Service
Verify whether the settings for the Bluetooth speaker given below are enabled by default or not. If not, it will allow it and check if it solves the issue. Follow the steps to enable the Bluetooth Audio Service.
Press Win+X key together and select Control Panel from the list. Select Devices and Printers.
In Devices and Printers, locate the Bluetooth speaker device and right-click on it. Click on Properties and navigate to the Services tab.
Select Audio Sink, Hands-free Telephony, and Remote Control and click on Apply.
Read: How to Send or Receive files using Bluetooth File Transfer.
4] Update Bluetooth Device Driver
- To do this, you can use the Device Manager.
- Press Win+R, type devmgmt.msc to open the Device Manager. Expand Bluetooth.
- Click on Properties, and click on the Driver tab.
- Click the Update Drivers button.
- It will show the option which will ask you to launch the Windows Search.
- You can then check Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional updates
- If there is a driver update available for your Bluetooth, then install it.
I hope something helps!
Fix: Event ID 22, BTHPORT_DEBUG_LINK_KEY_NOT_ALLOWED, where some Bluetooth devices may fail to pair or connect on a Windows PC.
How do I turn on pairing mode?
Most of the Bluetooth devices come with a dedicated pairing mode. When it’s long pressed, the light on the device blinks in a specific pattern. You can then turn on Bluetooth on your laptop and click on Add device button to find that device.
Related: That didn’t work, Make sure your Bluetooth device is still discoverable, then try again.
How do I force a Bluetooth device to pair?
You cannot force, but if an already paired device is not connecting, you can remove the device and then re-pair it. When the device is removed from the list, it can be repaired.
Related: Bluetooth is missing or not showing in Device Manager
My Laptop keeps connecting to some other speaker.
If your laptop keeps connecting to some other device instead of your speaker, then you can either turn off the device you do not want to connect to or disconnect from the laptop’s Bluetooth connection.
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Thanks for the article . I have same problem occurring in system when connect to the blue tooth. It will lead to time wasting by connecting through data cable. This article really informative and expecting more tips like this. Click here.
Thank you, solved my problem!
I upgraded to Evil 10, and my SoundKick worked perfectly, but when I reverted to Evil 8.1, via Macrium Reflect, it pairs–the Soundkick shows in Devices and Printers, everything seems to be correct, and, in the device manage, all the different bluetooth drivers are there–but, in the properties of the SoundKick in Devices and Printers, on the services tab I only see Audio Sink and Remote Control. Several troubleshooting forums for bluetooth issues mention other settings. The SoundKick does not show up as a playback device in the volume control dialog box. How can I get my OS to add the SoundKick as an audio device in volume control?
Thanks for this! THUMBS UP!
Thank you for the walkthrough – I’m having a similar problem, I can’t get my bluetooth headphones to connect to my Win 10 PC. When I get to step 3) I can see my bluetooth device, it says it’s connected and working properly but nothing displays under the “Services” Tab. I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling the device through device manager and no luck. Any thoughts?
thank you so much.
Since upgrading to Windows 10, my Bluetooth 4.0 has disappeared from my Device Manager. Bluetooth icon missing in settings Windows 10, No Bluetooth icon in the device manager, Bluetooth icon is not in Control Panel or SysTray.
I restarted the Support Service — nothing. I ran the Troubleshooter — nothing.
I have an ASUS R510LA (July 2014) with a Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 Wifi Adapter.
My Asus laptop also couldn’t use bluetooth after Windows 10 update. I googled something about it, Most of solutions said that it may be caused by drivers for bluettooehin Windows. So I used a tool named Driver Talent to fix it.
Thank you. The method 4 works for me. The difference is I used a driver update and repair tool named Driver Talent to update the bluetooth driver. Thank you for reminding me the problem might be from driver. :)
Tried all of these and still no sound. Windows says the driver is dated 21.6.2006 and that the driver is up to date – how can this be?
When i troubleshoot, it finds problems with the bluetooth drivers but is unable to fix by restarting them.. what should i do? Bluetooth is unable to discover my speaker.
Amazing! Thanks so much for this! was getting very frustrated :)
please send drivers who install you on your devies
Anand thanks your article helped me
thank you so much. it started working properly just by restarting bluetooth services again. the best and most user friendly online forum ever
Regarding option #3: “Enable the Bluetooth Audio Service”, the alternative that worked for me was to instead switch the “AVCTP service” (Audio Video Control Transport Protocol service) to ‘Automatic’, found on the list close to Bluetooth Audio Service but a bit higher. What this fixed for me were bluetooth audio devices that were detected and connecting but promptly disconnecting shortly after when trying to receive an audio signal. I think the problem was related to the control and audio buttons found on the devices not having a service to connect to but that’s just my hypothesis.