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Bluetooth Not Detecting Devices on Windows 10: 6 Easy Fixes

Faulty drivers can stop Bluetooth from finding devices on PC

8 min. read

Updated onJuly 25, 2024

updated onJuly 25, 2024

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Key notes

To fix various driver issues on your PC, you will need a dedicated tool to find the freshest and the original drivers. You can use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater to do it in 3 easy steps:

Many users reported that Bluetooth is not finding devices on Windows 10, and they can’t add any Bluetooth device. If you are experiencing the same problem, read this guide completely.

The Bluetooth trouble starts after an operating system upgrade, as reported by some users. The upgrade was supposed to be easy,but things don’t always go as planned.

One of the effects of this upgrade is thatBluetooth is not working on Windows 10or detecting devices. While this problem can be frustrating, it is not the most difficult to fix.

This guide will show you nine proven ways to fix Bluetooth not finding devices on Windows 10 issues. You only need to follow the steps carefully, and things will return to normal.

Why is Bluetooth not finding devices?

Why is Bluetooth not finding devices?

On your Windows devices, a couple of factors will trigger this Bluetooth error. A few of the most common triggers include:

While this does not amount to every single trigger, they are the most likely causes.

If your Bluetooth is not finding devices on Windows 10, it might be that the device you are trying to connect is not in range. Also, the device might not be visible for pairing.

Another known cause of this issue is outdated or faulty Bluetooth drivers. This can be fixedby updating or reinstalling the drivers.

Many users use Bluetooth daily, but sometimes Bluetooth does not find devices. Here are some similar issues that users reported:

In some cases,Bluetooth won’t turn on, making paring devices an impossible task. This can be just a temporary glitch, which you can fix by restarting your PC.

Bluetooth errors can cause a lot of trouble, but luckily, this guide is here to help you fix them.

What can I do if Bluetooth is not finding devices on Windows 10?

What can I do if Bluetooth is not finding devices on Windows 10?

Here’s what you should do first:

1. Add the Bluetooth device again

The next workaround for Bluetooth not finding devices issue would be to add your devices again by accessing your Bluetooth device settings.

  1. Hit theWindowskey, typeControl Panel, then open the app.

  2. Click onHardware and Sound.

  3. Now, click onDevices and Printers.

  4. Choose theAdd a deviceoption at the top-left corner.

  5. Select the device, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

2. Add the device via Network Connection Properties

Once done, the device should now be there on the list device’s list inSettingsand in theDevice Manager. This workaround was shared by one of our readers. So, we recommend you try it, and in case it doesn’t work out, head to the other solutions here.

3. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows has all sorts of built-in troubleshooters that can help you fix common problems automatically. If Bluetooth is not finding devices, you might be able to fix this issue byusing theHardware and Devicestroubleshooter.

After the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem with Bluetooth devices is still there. This isn’t the most reliable solution, but it should be able to help you with some common Bluetooth issues.

4. Update drivers

If Bluetooth is not finding or showing devices on Windows 10, you can try to update your drivers manually from the Device Manager. You can also check the official website of your driver’s manufacturer for the latest available driver if the built-in updater fails.

On the flip side, if all of the steps mentioned above sound too much, you should go for adedicated driver fixer and updater.

These tools are an excellent solution to your Bluetooth issues because they can update their drivers if they are too old or fix them if they are broken or missing.

Download the program, install it, and launch it. Everything from that point onward is pretty much automated, as you only need to confirm which drivers to fix.

Then restart your PC like any other update, and your Bluetooth drivers should be working well now.

5. Restart the Bluetooth service

You can apply the above steps for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.

For Bluetooth to work correctly, you must have certain services running, such as Bluetooth Support. If there are any issues with this service, you might not be able to find Bluetooth devices.

However, you can fix this problem simply by restarting this service. After restarting this service, the issue should be resolved, and everything will start working again.

6. Reinstall the Bluetooth drivers

If you are seeing theCan’t find Bluetooth on this deviceerror on Windows 10, the problem might be related to your drivers. To fix this problem, users suggest reinstalling their Bluetooth devices.

After reinstalling the drivers, the issue should be resolved. Besides, you might want to try using the official drivers from the manufacturer. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your Bluetooth adapter.

What can I do if Bluetooth is not detecting devices on Windows 11?

If Bluetooth is not finding devices on your Windows 11 PC, you can try basic fixes like disabling and enabling the device’s visibility. Also, you can bring the device closer to your PC and try connecting again.

If these fixes fail, you can apply the solutions listed in this guide, as they work superbly on Windows 10 and 11. Lastly, ifBluetooth is not working on Windows 11, check our guide to fix it quickly.

While still on connectivity issues, you can check our guide for easy fixes if youcan’t remove a Bluetooth device on Windows.

Make sure you comment in the section below and share your opinion regarding this subject.

More about the topics:bluetooth issues

Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.

She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.

Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.

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Madalina Dinita

Networking & Security Specialist

Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.

Reviewed byAlex Serban