- Bluetooth devices not showing, pairing or connecting in Windows 11/10
- Bluetooth devices not showing in Windows
- Bluetooth not detecting devices
- 1] Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
- 2] Restart Bluetooth Support Service
- 3] Enable the Bluetooth Audio Service
- 4] Update Bluetooth Device Driver
- How do I turn on pairing mode?
- How do I force a Bluetooth device to pair?
- My Laptop keeps connecting to some other speaker.
- [Fixed] Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 10
- Try these fixes:
- Fix 1: Remove all Bluetooth devices
- Fix 2: Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
- Fix 3: Set the Bluetooth support service
- Fix 4: Update Bluetooth driver
Bluetooth devices not showing, pairing or connecting in Windows 11/10
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 11/10/8/7, then this post will help you fix the issue.
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
- 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
- Open Run prompt
- Type and Press the Enter key after typing the following msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
- It will launch the hardware troubleshooter.
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.
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 the device. Click on Properties and navigate to the Services tab.
Select Audio Sink, Hands-free Telephony, and Remote Control and click on Apply.
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, click on 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.
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.
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.
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.
[Fixed] Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 10
If you’re on Windows 10 and your Bluetooth devices are not showing, don’t panic. Here are 4 solutions to try.
Try these fixes:
You may not have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.
- Remove all Bluetooth device
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
- Set the Bluetooth support service to automatic
- Update your Bluetooth driver
Fix 1: Remove all Bluetooth devices
If you’ve connected multiple Bluetooth devices to your PC, chances are that one or more of your devices is preventing your PC from detecting other Bluetooth devices.
To see if that’s the problem for you, try removing all Bluetooth devices on your computer and pair only the desired devices. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key.
2) Type control panel, then hit the Enter key.
3) Under View by, select Category, then click View devices and printers.
4) Right-click your Bluetooth device and select Remove device.
5) Click Add a device to see if your Bluetooth works properly now.
If your problem persists, then move on and try the fix below.
Fix 2: Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Another quick fix to this problem is running the Bluetooth troubleshooter. The Bluetooth troubleshooter is a Windows built-in utility that can detect and fix common Bluetooth issues automatically.
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type troubleshoot. Then hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
2) Select Bluetooth, then click Run the troubleshooter.
3) Wait for this process to be complete. Then, try pairing your Bluetooth devices to your PC again.
If your Bluetooth still won’t discover devices, then read on and try the next fix.
Fix 3: Set the Bluetooth support service
You’re likely to encounter the Bluetooth not detecting devices error if the Bluetooth service isn’t running properly on your PC. To see if that’s the core issue, follow the instructions below:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time.
2) Type services.msc, then hit the Enter key.
3) Right-click Bluetooth Support Service. If the service is running, click Restart; if the service isn’t running, click Start.
4) Right-click Bluetooth Support Service and select Properties.
5) Set the Startup Type to Automatic, then click OK.
6) Try connecting your Bluetooth devices to test your problem.
If your issue continues to occur, then try the next solution, below.
Fix 4: Update Bluetooth driver
You might run into this issue when you’re using a faulty Bluetooth driver, or the driver is outdated. Try updating your Bluetooth driver to see if that’s the problem for you.
There are two ways you can get the right driver for your Bluetooth: manually or automatically.
Manual driver update – You can update your driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website for your Bluetooth, and searching for the most recent correct driver. Be sure to choose only driver that is compatible with your Windows version.
Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct driver for your device, and your Windows version, and it will download and install them correctly:
1) Download and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) Click the Update button next to the Bluetooth driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)
4) Restart your PC, then try reconnecting your Bluetooth devices to test your issue.
Hopefully, this article helped in resolving your issue. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.