Windows 11 · Windows
Fix Bluetooth Not Working in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Start with the Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Then confirm Bluetooth is on, charge the device and place it in pairing mode, remove and add it again, and update the Bluetooth adapter driver if the problem continues.
Record the exact Windows state and preserve recovery
Confirm the Windows edition, build, active account, exact app or device, full error, and the last change before the symptom began. Save open work and preserve recovery credentials, installers and important files before repair, reset or reinstall. Test one supported change at a time, and use only Microsoft or the identified hardware or application publisher rather than generic drivers, registry scripts or repair downloads.
Record the exact Windows state and preserve recovery
Confirm the Windows edition, build, active account, exact app or device, full error, and the last change before the symptom began. Save open work and preserve recovery credentials, installers and important files before repair, reset or reinstall. Test one supported change at a time, and use only Microsoft or the identified hardware or application publisher rather than generic drivers, registry scripts or repair downloads.
Record the exact Windows state and preserve recovery
Confirm the Windows edition, build, active account, exact app or device, full error, and the last change before the symptom began. Save open work and preserve recovery credentials, installers and important files before repair, reset or reinstall. Test one supported change at a time, and use only Microsoft or the identified hardware or application publisher rather than generic drivers, registry scripts or repair downloads.
Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Open Get Help, search for the Bluetooth troubleshooter, and run the automated checks.
Check Bluetooth and Airplane mode
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on. Make sure Airplane mode is off.
Prepare the Bluetooth device
Charge the device, turn it off and back on, place it in pairing mode, and move it close to the PC.
Remove and add the device
In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, open the device's More options menu and select Remove device. Select Add device to pair it again.
Update Windows and the driver
Install available Windows updates. If Bluetooth still fails, open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, and update the Bluetooth adapter driver.
Restart the PC
Restart Windows after installing an update or driver, then test the device again.
Verify the intended result before broader recovery
Repeat the exact task described by “Fix Bluetooth Not Working in Windows 11” with a harmless test and confirm the account, device, app, game, project or setting now matches the Answer. Recheck it after one fresh session or supported restart where appropriate, and keep original data and the recorded starting state until the result is stable. If only one component still differs, keep further recovery limited to that component.
Verify the intended result before broader recovery
Repeat the exact task described by “Fix Bluetooth Not Working in Windows 11” with a harmless test and confirm the account, device, app, game, project or setting now matches the Answer. Recheck it after one fresh session or supported restart where appropriate, and keep original data and the recorded starting state until the result is stable. If only one component still differs, keep further recovery limited to that component.
Verify the intended result before broader recovery
Repeat the exact task described by “Fix Bluetooth Not Working in Windows 11” with a harmless test and confirm the account, device, app, game, project or setting now matches the Answer. Recheck it after one fresh session or supported restart where appropriate, and keep original data and the recorded starting state until the result is stable. If only one component still differs, keep further recovery limited to that component.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If Bluetooth remains unavailable, confirm the PC has a detected radio, test Airplane mode and another device, note the adapter hardware ID, and use Windows Update or the PC maker's exact driver. Do not install a generic Bluetooth package or remove paired devices until their recovery method is known.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows 11.
Checked against Microsoft's current Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance.