In this article I will try to explain as simply and in detail as possible what to do when Bluetooth does not work on a stationary computer or on a laptop. The instruction is suitable for solving problems in the operation of the Bluetooth adapter on laptops and PCs with Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7 installed. Very often people ask such questions when they cannot connect, for example, Bluetooth headphones, mouse, speaker, or other device. But the fact is that the reason is not always on the side of the laptop, adapter, driver, Windows, etc. There may be problems with the device itself, which cannot be connected, and for some reason it was concluded that the reason is in the laptop. Let's figure it out now.
In a nutshell, how does Bluetooth generally work on our computers? In the case of laptops, the Bluetooth module is almost always built-in there. That is, it is already in the laptop from the factory. This is always written in the specifications for your laptop model. There are exceptions, but very rarely. If we are talking about a PC, then the opposite is true, built-in Bluetooth happens, but rarely. There are motherboard models with Bluetooth support. See technical specifications. Therefore, external Bluetooth adapters are usually connected to the PC. If there is an adapter in the computer, but Bluetooth does not work, Windows does not see it, then most likely the reason is in the driver. A driver is a program that tells the Windows operating system how to work with a particular device. In our case, this is an adapter (module, board) that is responsible for the operation of Bluetooth.
How is it supposed to work?
Let me first show you how to make sure that everything is fine with Bluetooth on your laptop or computer, and maybe the reason is something else. For example, the device you are trying to connect is not in pairing mode (not visible to other devices). I will show you what a working Bluetooth looks like on different versions of Windows. If everything is not the same as for me in the description and in the screenshots below, there are no these settings, icons, etc., then see the solutions in the second part of the article.
Windows 10
In Windows 10, in the options, under "Devices" should be a tab "Bluetooth and other devices". There is also a switch that must be turned on. And the item "Add Bluetooth or other device", by clicking on which, you can connect our device.
There should be a corresponding icon in the tray
Related article: how to enable and configure Bluetooth on a laptop with Windows 10. You can also watch the process of connecting a device using the example of wireless headphones: how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a computer or laptop on Windows 10.
More often than not, Bluetooth does not work in Windows 10 due to driver issues. There is no switch in the settings, and when you try to start the search for devices, the error "We were able to connect" appears. What to do with this, I will tell you later in the article.
Windows 8
In Windows 8 settings, under Wireless, there should be a Bluetooth switch. These settings look different in Windows 8.1.
The most common problem in Windows 8 and 8.1 is when the "Bluetooth" switch is inactive.
Windows 7
When everything is set up and working, there should be a blue icon in the tray
By clicking on this icon, you can connect a new device, show all connected devices, open settings, etc. You can also do this in the control panel, in the "Hardware and Sound" - "Devices and Printers" - "Bluetooth Devices" section. When Bluetooth is not installed, does not work in Windows 7, then this tray icon will not be.
Connecting a device using the example of Bluetooth headphones to Windows 7.
What to do if Bluetooth does not work in Windows 10, 8, 7
First, pay attention to the following important points:
- If the Bluetooth settings are there, it is turned on, the device is being searched for, but no device is found, then see the solutions in this article: the laptop does not see the Bluetooth device.
- It might be that Bluetooth is just turned off, so it doesn't work. This applies more to laptops. See the article on how to enable Bluetooth on a laptop.
- If you have a stationary computer or laptop, and you do not know if it has Bluetooth at all, then this article will come in handy for you: how to check if there is Bluetooth on a laptop or computer and how to find it.
- Many people have problems with sound after successfully connecting headphones or speakers. If there is no sound at all: Bluetooth headphones do not play sound from the laptop.
And if there is sound, but of poor quality: poor sound in Bluetooth headphones on a computer or laptop.
If in Windows there are no buttons and settings related to Bluetooth at all, then you need to see if there is a Bluetooth adapter in the device manager and whether it works. To quickly open Device Manager, press the keyboard shortcut Win + R and run the command devmgmt.msc.
There should be a "Bluetooth" tab, or "Bluetooth Radios". This section should have a Bluetooth adapter. The name may differ depending on the model and installed driver. On Windows 10:
On Windows 7:
If there is no such section and, accordingly, the adapter in the device manager, then either the driver is not installed, or there is physically no Bluetooth module in the computer / laptop. Either it is disabled or it is broken. But if the driver is not installed (the adapter is working and the system sees it), then there should be unknown devices in the device manager (our adapter).
How do I install the driver?
The driver can be downloaded from the website of the laptop manufacturer, or adapter (module). Windows 10, for example, almost always automatically installs the driver. But it happens that the driver is installed, but Bluetooth does not work. In this case, you need to download and install the driver from the device manufacturer's website.
In short: we find out the model of the laptop / USB adapter / wireless module, find the official website, on the website, through the model search, we find the download page and download the required driver.
For example, an Acer laptop model Aspire 5 A515-54G. Go to the Acer website and look for your model (usually in the "Support", "Downloads" section).
Choosing a system.
The site may have several drivers for the Bluetooth adapter. For different suppliers of wireless module. Open the network adapters tab in the device manager and see which manufacturer you have there Wi-Fi (Wireless) adapter. Download the driver for the same manufacturer. Just download it and save it to your computer. If you cannot determine the manufacturer of the wireless module, then download the driver for different manufacturers and try to install them one by one.
To install, run the installation .exe file. It can be located inside the archive. After installing and restarting the computer, Bluetooth should work.
Other solutions:
It is difficult, of course, to give specific solutions for every possible problem. If only for the reason that everyone has different adapters, different laptops and PCs on which different versions of Windows are installed. In addition, not all devices that are responsible for Bluetooth operation have drivers for certain Windows versions. For example, on older laptops with Windows 10 installed, Bluetooth may not work. Even if everything is fine in the device manager. Or vice versa: when Windows 7 is installed on a new laptop.
