Why Is My PC Bluetooth Not Working?
Missing or corrupt drivers are sometimes the reason for Windows 11 Bluetooth problems. Fortunately, identifying something is wrong with a drive is easy, and installing them is just as simple. However, not all Bluetooth issues are driver-related. There’s a multitude of issues standing in the way of Bluetooth working properly, so your solutions include everything from a simple reboot to editing program settings and restarting a Windows service.
How to Troubleshoot Windows Bluetooth Problems
If you’re sure both your device and computer support Bluetooth, and you’ve already paired the device with your computer, here are some things you can try to get it working: Select the computer/audio icon group next to the clock, and select the Bluetooth icon so it lights up. After a second or two, the button might say Not connected, but that’s fine, we’ll address this down below. Toggling Bluetooth off and back on again is easiest through the Action Center as described in Step 1. Search for Services from the search bar, and then double-click Bluetooth Support Service from the list. From the General tab, select Stop and then Start. Also, change the startup type to be Automatic. Save with OK. To do this, open Settings and navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Select Run next to Bluetooth to find and fix any problems. One quick way to do this is to right-click the Start button and go to Shut down or sign out > Restart. Disable Bluetooth on any nearby phones or computers that the device has been connected to before, and shut off other Bluetooth devices that might be trying to reach the same computer simultaneously. The idea here is to have just the one computer with Bluetooth enabled, and only the one device trying to pair with it. You can disconnect a Bluetooth device in Windows 11 through Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Select the three-dot menu next to any device to find Disconnect. If you’re able, connect the device to a different computer. If it doesn’t work there, either, there’s a good chance the device itself is malfunctioning, not your PC’s Bluetooth. Also take note of the software you’re using. If your headphones don’t work with Zoom, for example, confirm they do work elsewhere, like in your web browser or with a video file. If just one program is to blame, check its settings to verify that it has access to your headphones; you might end up needing to update or reinstall the software.
