Experiencing Bluetooth disconnections on your Windows PC can be a source of frustration, regardless of whether you’re using Windows 10 or 11. This common issue affects various Bluetooth devices like Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, and other wireless gadgets.

This guide will give you straightforward solutions to tackle and resolve common Bluetooth connectivity issues in Windows.

1. Check Device Compatibility

Before we get too deeply into the finer details of Bluetooth troubleshooting, are you sure that your Bluetooth device is compatible with the Bluetooth adapter and version of Windows that you’re using?

Check the documentation for the Bluetooth device and make sure it’s meant to work with your system. You may have to do a firmware update on the Bluetooth device to make it work better with modern adapters. For example, if you have a Bluetooth headset that’s been your workhorse for years, it might struggle with a new computer.

2. Restart Your PC and Bluetooth Device

Restarting your PC and the Bluetooth device is often a quick fix for connectivity problems. It clears RAM and temporary configurations that might be causing the issue.

However, unlike the usual process of simply restarting your computer, you may have to also turn off and restart your Bluetooth device. Resetting both devices is the most surefire way to take advantage of a restart.

3. Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows comes with a built-in troubleshooter that identifies and resolves common Bluetooth issues automatically. This tool scans for and fixes issues like hardware compatibility and driver problems.

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Other Troubleshoot.
2. Select Run next to Bluetooth.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Running the troubleshooter as one of the earliest steps in the process makes the most sense since it can quickly resolve many common issues, or at least point you in the correct direction.

4. Update or Uninstall Device Drivers

If the built-in troubleshooter isn’t resolving your problem, then you’ll have to start manually addressing the most common issues that affect Bluetooth performance. A key potential culprit here is outdated drivers.

Drivers are essential for communication between your operating system and Bluetooth hardware. Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to issues. Updating them ensures optimal performance, while reinstalling can fix problems related to file corruption.

While the most direct way to uninstall and then reinstall a device driver in Windows is to use the Device Manager, there are better ways to handle this issue. Check out How To Automatically Update Device Drivers In Windows 10 for the best solutions we could find. These will also work for Windows 11 for the most part.

Another easy way to refresh the drivers for your Bluetooth adapter is to visit the website of the adapter’s manufacturer. If your Bluetooth is integrated into your computer’s motherboard, then visit the motherboard’s driver page. The latest Bluetooth drivers for that model should be available for download.

Run the installer and it should overwrite the existing driver with a newer version. If you already had the latest version the installer will likely ask if you want to uninstall or reinstall the driver.

5. Adjust Power Management Settings

Windows power management can sometimes disrupt Bluetooth connectivity. Adjusting these settings ensures that your Bluetooth adapter remains active, particularly important for laptops. However, if your power management settings are wrong it could affect desktop systems too.

Some Bluetooth adapters don’t want to “wake up” again after being put into power-saving mode, so we want to stop your computer from turning the adapter off. Bluetooth adapters use so little power in general that there’s little reason to let them go to sleep. Here’s how:

1. Type Device Manager in Windows Search from the Start Menu and open it.

2. Find your Bluetooth adapter, right-click on it, and select Properties.

3. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
4. Restart your PC.

Note: Depending on your Bluetooth adapter and version of Windows, you may not have any power options under the adapter’s properties. In our case, we did not have these options.

If waking up from sleep was the problem with your Bluetooth adapter, it should now stay connected regardless of what the rest of your computer is doing in terms of power saving. Other than switching off of course.

6. Tweak Bluetooth Support Service Settings

The Bluetooth Support Service is vital for device discovery and connectivity. Setting it to start automatically can prevent issues post-restart or when adding new devices.

1. Press the Windows + R key, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Bluetooth Support Service, right-click on it, and select Properties.

3. Set Startup type‘ to Automatic.

4. Stop and start the service with the relevant option from the adapter’s right-click menu, then click Apply and OK.

Hopefully your computer will now find and connect to your Bluetooth devices without issue.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Regular updates often include Bluetooth-related fixes and enhancements. Keeping your system updated ensures optimal performance and bug resolution. So if you’re experiencing Bluetooth connection issues, check if there isn’t an update pending:

1. Press the Windows key, search for Check for Updates, and open it.

2. Check for updates.
3. Install any available updates.

Once your updates are installed and the computer has restarted your Bluetooth problems might be resolved. Don’t forget to clear out the Microsoft Windows update temporary files.

8. Reduce Interference from Wi-Fi and Other Devices

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can interfere with each other as they operate on similar frequencies. If you have lots of other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices around, or anything that makes noise in the 2.4Ghz Bluetooth radio frequency range, toning it down might help. If you have an iOS or Android device, for example, they might be overwhelmed by a Bluetooth device that doesn’t have as much transmission power.

1. Turn off Wi-Fi temporarily.
2. Move your Bluetooth device away from other wireless devices.

The closer you move your Bluetooth device and computer to each other, the better the situation should get. If you have the option, you may want to use an antenna with your computer’s Bluetooth adapter.

9. Disable and Re-enable Bluetooth Hardware

Resetting the Bluetooth hardware can clear errors or stuck states, refreshing the connection. It only takes a few seconds to do:

1. In Device Manager, expand the Bluetooth category.
2. Right-click on the adapter, select Disable device, wait, then re-enable it.

Not to point out the obvious, but you’ll need a mouse that doesn’t use Bluetooth to pull this off. As soon as you disable your Bluetooth hardware your mouse will stop working. Some Bluetooth mice let you use a wired connection too.

10. Remove and Re-pair Bluetooth Devices

Re-pairing can resolve recognition issues or conflicts with other devices. It’s one of the most effective ways to solve all sorts of Bluetooth glitches.

1. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
2. Remove the problematic device and re-pair it.

Sometimes when you’ve paired a Bluetooth device with too many other devices, especially audio devices, forgetting the device like this and pairing it from scratch is exactly the right solution.

11. Update Your PC’s BIOS

Updating the BIOS can fix compatibility issues and improve Bluetooth functionality but proceed with caution. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates and follow their instructions.

Just remember that if something goes wrong during a BIOS update, you can render your computer inoperable. So if it’s a laptop make sure the battery is fully charged and if it’s a desktop system use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent this scenario. If you have a computer with a motherboard that offers a feature like “dual” BIOS, you have less to worry about but still consider this a last resort for Bluetooth issues specific to integrated Bluetooth functionality.

12. Use a Bluetooth Dongle

If you’re using the Bluetooth function built into your motherboard or laptop, or you’re using a cheap Bluetooth dongle, simply buying a better dongle might solve the issue. Getting the latest technology, or getting a dongle with better signal strength can resolve connection issues on multiple levels.

Bluetooth dongles are usually inexpensive, and you can have a look at our best PC Bluetooth adapter roundup to get you started.

13. Reset Network Settings

Whether you think of it that way or not, Bluetooth is a network technology, and so it forms part of Windows’ network settings. If your Bluetooth keeps reconnecting and disconnecting, resetting all of the network settings could resolve the disconnecting issue.

It’s a mildly involved process and if you’ve tried everything else above, you can read How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 10 for detailed instructions.

14. Use a Wired Connection

It may not be the fix you wanted, but if nothing seems to work, consider using a wired connection if your Bluetooth device supports it. You might realize that wired connections have some benefits you’ve forgotten about with all this wireless convenience!

The post Bluetooth Disconnecting in Windows? These 14 Fixes Can Help first appeared on Help Desk Geek.