Why Bluetooth Not Detecting Devices on Windows 11

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, which comes with many new features and improvements. However, one common issue that some users have reported is the problem of Bluetooth not detecting devices. This can be frustrating if you rely on Bluetooth for connecting your wireless devices such as headphones, speakers, mobile phone, smart TV, mouse, or keyboard.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some possible reasons why is Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 11 and what you can do to fix this problem.

Why Is Bluetooth Not Detecting Devices on Windows 11?

There are several possible causes for the issue of Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 11. These include:

• Outdated drivers: One of the most common reasons why Bluetooth might not detect devices is due to outdated or incompatible drivers. If you were using an older version of Windows, your computer’s current drivers may not be supported by Windows 11.
• Bluetooth not enabled: Another possible cause for this issue is if Bluetooth is not enabled in Windows 11. You can check this by heading to the Bluetooth Settings.
• Incompatible Bluetooth device: Some Bluetooth devices may not be compatible with Windows 11 or require additional drivers to work.
• Device pairing issues: If you haven’t properly paired your Bluetooth device with your computer, it may not show up on the list of available devices.
• Bluetooth service is not running: If the Bluetooth Support service is not running, it may cause issues with device detection.
• Interference from other devices: Other wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi routers, can cause interference with Bluetooth signals and prevent devices from being detected.
• Hardware issues: In some cases, there may be hardware issues with your Bluetooth device or computer, which can prevent it from detecting devices.

Fix Bluetooth Not Working On Windows 11

Now that you know some of the possible causes for Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 11, let’s take a look at how to fix this problem.

Fix 1: Try Basic Troubleshooting

Before attempting any of the major steps, you should try some basic troubleshooting steps to see if they help:

• Restart your computer and Bluetooth device.
• Check that your Bluetooth device is charged and working properly.
• Make sure your device is within range of the computer (usually around 10 meters).
• Ensure that the Bluetooth is turned ON.
• Check if the device is compatible with the Bluetooth version installed on your PC.

Fix 2: Run Windows 11 Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a built-in troubleshooter that can help you identify and fix problems with Bluetooth.

Here are the steps to run Bluetooth troubleshooter on Windows 11:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Under the System tab, select the Troubleshoot option on the right.
3. Next, click the Other troubleshooters option.
4. Now look for the Bluetooth and click the Run button next to it to start running the Windows 11 Bluetooth troubleshooter.
5. On the next window, click Yes to provide consent to run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
6. The troubleshooter will look for the problems and provide possible solutions.

Fix 3: Turn Flight Mode ON and OFF

Another solution to try is to turn Flight Mode on and off. This will reset the Bluetooth connection and might be able to detect devices properly.

This can be done simply by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + A on your keyboard to launch Windows Action Center.
2. Under the Action Center window, click the “Airplane icon” to turn on Flight Mode.
3. After a few seconds, click the “Airplane icon” again to turn off Flight Mode.

Fix 4: Restart the Windows Bluetooth Service

Windows services help run an array of functions on your computer. If the Windows Bluetooth Service is not running properly, it may cause issues with device detection.

If the above steps do not work, you can try restarting the Bluetooth service. To restart the Windows Bluetooth Service, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue box.
2. In the text field, type services.msc and click OK.
   
3. This will launch the Services window with a list of services.
4. Scroll down to locate the Bluetooth Support Service.
5. Right-click on it and select Restart.

Fix 5: Update Bluetooth Driver

If the above steps do not work, you may need to update your Bluetooth driver. You can either manually update the driver, or you can use a third-party tool to automatically download and install the correct version of your driver.

To manually update the Bluetooth driver using Device Manager, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to launch the Run dialogue box.
2. In the text field, type devmgmt.msc and click OK.
3. This will open up the Device Manager window with a list of all the drivers installed on your computer.
4. Expand the Bluetooth section and right-click on your Bluetooth driver.
5. Select Update Driver from the context menu.
6. On the next screen, choose how you want to go with updating the driver and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
7. Once you have completed all these steps, restart your computer and try connecting to a Bluetooth device again.

Fix 6: Re-Add Bluetooth Device

If you are still having issues connecting to a Bluetooth device, try removing the device and re-pairing it again.

Here is how to do that:

1. Click the Start button and select Windows 11 Settings.
2. Switch to the Bluetooth & devices tab on the left and click View more devices on the right to see all the Bluetooth devices paired to your PC.
3. Look for the device that is unable to connect via Bluetooth.
4. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove device.
5. Now scroll up and click the Add Device button to add the device.
6. On the next window, select the Bluetooth option.
7. Choose the device that you want to connect via Bluetooth.
8. Confirm the PIN on your device and click Connect button.
9. The device will be connected.
   

Fix 7: Repair the System Files

If all the above steps fail, you may need to repair the system files. To do that, you can use the System File Checker tool.

To run this tool on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X on your keyboard and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list.
2. In the command window, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
3. This tool will scan your system for any corrupted files and try to repair them.
4. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and try connecting to a Bluetooth device again.

Fix 8: Update Windows 11

It is possible that the error is occurring due to a bug in Windows 11. In that case, it is recommended to update Windows 11 to the latest version, as Microsoft regularly releases patches to fix bugs through Windows updates.

To check for any available updates, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and switch to Update & Security tab on the left.
2. On the right pane, click Check for updates.
3. If any updates are available, Windows will download them. Click the Install all button.
4. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and try connecting to a Bluetooth device again.

Final Words

This article explains why Bluetooth does not detect devices on Windows 11 and how to fix it. It is recommended to try the steps mentioned above, one by one until the issue is fixed. If all the steps fail, you may need to contact your device manufacturer for more help.

It is also important to remember that the steps may vary depending on your device, but the overall process should remain the same. Feel free to comment if you are still facing any issues with connecting to a Bluetooth device on Windows 11.