Check power, pairing mode, Bluetooth settings and the device’s connection to other computers or phones. Then remove and pair the accessory again if necessary. Treat “Bluetooth missing,” “won’t pair” and “paired but no sound” as separate problems.
Before removing a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, have another input method ready. On an employer-managed computer, ask IT before changing drivers or adding a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Identify which stage fails
A device must have power, advertise itself for pairing, connect and then provide the intended function. Knowing where it fails is more helpful than repeatedly pressing Connect.
Check whether the accessory is charged, whether Windows sees other Bluetooth devices and whether the same accessory works with a different compatible device. A successful comparison narrows the problem without proving every feature is compatible.
Check the basic settings
Keep the accessory near the computer during setup. Follow its manual for pairing mode; switching it on may simply reconnect it to a previously used phone.
- In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and confirm Bluetooth is on. Turn Airplane mode off if it is enabled.
- Turn the accessory off and on, then activate its documented pairing mode. Watch for the expected indicator.
- Temporarily disconnect it from a phone, tablet or another PC if it is automatically reconnecting there.
- Select Add device, then Bluetooth, and choose the correct accessory. Match any displayed code before approving the pairing.
- If several similar names appear, use the accessory manual or switch other nearby accessories off briefly to avoid selecting someone else’s device.
Remove a failed pairing and try again
If Windows remembers the accessory but cannot connect, removing its saved pairing can help establish a fresh relationship. First make sure you can still control the computer without that accessory.
Open the device’s menu in Bluetooth settings and select Remove device. Put the accessory back in pairing mode and add it again. Some accessories also need their stored pairing cleared; follow their own manual before using a reset button.
A reset may remove pairings to other devices or custom settings. Do not factory-reset headphones, a hearing device or a specialized controller without understanding what you will need to restore afterward.
If Bluetooth is missing or keeps dropping
Restart Windows normally. Use Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooter through Get Help and check whether the computer’s official specifications include Bluetooth. Some desktop computers require a separate adapter.
If a USB adapter is already installed, inspect its connection and try another suitable port. Distance, obstacles and crowded radio environments can affect reliability; compare close-range operation away from a busy USB hub before assuming the adapter has failed.
Use Windows Update and the PC or adapter manufacturer’s official support page for the correct driver. Do not install a driver simply because a third-party scanner calls it outdated. A missing control can reflect hardware, driver or policy issues, not just one setting.
If it connects but does not work
For headphones, open Settings > System > Sound and select them as the output. Check volume on both Windows and the accessory. A successful Bluetooth connection does not automatically make that device the selected speaker.
For keyboards or mice, test inside a basic local app and check their batteries. For controllers and specialist devices, confirm the application supports that model and connection mode.
If the problem follows the accessory to another compatible device, contact its manufacturer. If multiple known-working accessories fail only on this PC, investigate the PC’s adapter and driver with its manufacturer. Record what paired, what failed and any exact error before requesting help.
Sources and further help
Official documentation used to check the guidance. Menu names and options can vary by device and software version.