Bluetooth not working

Your Bluetooth won't turn on, or devices won't connect. Usually it's the adapter being disabled, a stuck driver, or a device that's not in pairing mode — here's how to get it back.

Updated 1 September 2026 · 32 min read

Why this happens

Bluetooth is switched off, or Airplane mode is on.
The Bluetooth adapter is disabled in Device Manager.
The Bluetooth driver has gone out of date or crashed.
The device you want to pair isn't in pairing mode.
A previous pairing is stale or conflicting.

Bluetooth problems cluster into two: the adapter (your PC's radio) isn't working, or the device (headphones, keyboard, etc.) isn't pairing. The first thing to rule out is the obvious — that Bluetooth is actually on and the device is in the right mode.

Make sure Bluetooth is on

Check the quick-settings panel (click the network/battery area in the taskbar) and confirm Bluetooth is on and Airplane mode is off. On a laptop, there may also be a physical switch or a function-key (Fn) combo that toggles the radio — look for an icon with a Bluetooth symbol and make sure it's not disabled.

Enable the adapter in Device Manager

Right-click Start → Device Manager → expand Bluetooth. If your adapter is listed with a down-arrow, right-click → Enable device. If it shows a warning triangle, right-click → Update driver. If it's not listed at all, the adapter may be disabled in BIOS or faulty — check the BIOS wireless settings, or the adapter may need replacing (on a desktop, a USB Bluetooth dongle is a cheap fix).

Refresh the driver

Still flaky? In Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth adapter → Uninstall device (don't check 'delete driver'), then reboot. Windows will reinstall a fresh copy on the next start. If you have the manufacturer's Bluetooth app (Intel, Realtek, or the laptop maker), run it to update the radio firmware too.

Pair the device properly

On the device you want to connect, put it into pairing mode (usually holding the power or a dedicated button until a light blinks rapidly — check its manual). Then on your PC: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth. It should appear. If it was paired before, remove the old pairing first (click the device → Remove device) and pair again from scratch.

Check the device and distance

nMake sure the device's battery is charged and it's within a metre or two of the PC during pairing. Other 2.4 GHz devices (Wi-Fi, USB 3.0 hubs) can interfere — if pairing is flaky, move the device closer and away from a USB hub.

If the adapter itself doesn't appear in Device Manager, the problem is the radio, not the pairing. Enable it, update its driver, and — on a desktop — a USB Bluetooth dongle is the cheapest reliable fix.

Step-by-step

1 Turn Bluetooth on and check Airplane mode

Confirm Bluetooth is enabled in quick settings and Airplane mode is off. Check for a physical or Fn-key radio switch on laptops.

2 Enable / update the adapter in Device Manager

Under Bluetooth, enable the adapter, update its driver. If absent, check BIOS or use a USB dongle.

3 Uninstall and reboot to refresh the driver

Remove the adapter in Device Manager (keep the driver) and reboot so Windows reinstalls a fresh copy.

4 Pair the device from scratch

Put the device in pairing mode, remove any old pairing, and add it again via Settings → Bluetooth & devices. Keep it close and charged.

Frequently asked questions

Does Bluetooth need to be switched on in two places?

Yes. On the PC, Bluetooth must be turned on in Settings (or the quick-settings panel) AND the device must be in pairing/discoverable mode. Both sides off is the most common cause of 'it used to work'.

My device connects but there's no sound or it cuts out.

Usually a Bluetooth audio profile problem. Make sure the device is selected as the playback device in Sound settings, keep it close, and check no other device is holding the connection. If it's a headset, also try switching the audio mode between 'Hands-Free' and 'Stereo'.

Is it worth buying a Bluetooth adapter for a desktop?

If the PC has no built-in Bluetooth, a USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter is a cheap, reliable fix. Plug it in, let Windows install the driver, then pair as normal. A 2.4 GHz dongle near a USB 3.0 port can interfere, so use a short USB extension lead if you get dropouts.

Why this happens

Make sure Bluetooth is on

Enable the adapter in Device Manager

Refresh the driver

Pair the device properly

Check the device and distance

Step-by-step

Frequently asked questions

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