The most popular problem that many people face when connecting different devices via Bluetooth is when the laptop does not see the Bluetooth device. Windows just doesn't find the headphones, mouse, keyboard, speaker, or other device we want to connect. I have already written several instructions in which I showed how to connect the same headphones or speaker to a computer via Bluetooth. And in the comments to these articles, visitors leave a lot of questions related to the problem when the computer does not find devices during the connection process. After reviewing the comments and a few specific cases, I decided to write a separate article in which to share possible solutions.
Since we are talking about a problem on PCs and laptops that run on Windows, then in most cases all problems are due to the fact that Bluetooth is not configured, or not at all. If, for example, the driver for Bluetooth is not installed in the system, the module is disabled, or it is completely absent from your computer, then of course the computer will not be able to detect the device you want to connect. Therefore, the first step is to make sure that your laptop / PC has a Bluetooth module, all the necessary drivers are installed, everything is turned on and configured. When everything is Ok in this regard, then in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 there should be a blue Bluetooth icon in the tray.
If your laptop has this icon in the tray, then everything should work. And if the laptop does not see Bluetooth headphones (or whatever you are trying to connect there), then most likely the problem is on the side of the headphones themselves. It happens that the module itself is disabled, or the drivers are not installed (then there will be no tray icon). To check, I recommend taking a look at Device Manager. There should be our adapter (module), which is responsible for the operation of Bluetooth. There should not be any icons (exclamation mark, arrow) near it. If there is an arrow next to the icon, then it is disabled. Right click and enable.
How to enable and configure everything, I already wrote in separate articles:
- No Bluetooth icon in tray, Windows 10 Action Center, Device Manager
- How to enable and configure Bluetooth on a Windows 10 laptop
- How do I turn on Bluetooth on my laptop?
- And if you have a PC - Setting up Bluetooth on your computer (PC). Bluetooth adapter connection and driver installation.
These instructions should help you resolve any Bluetooth problems (if any) on the computer side.
Perhaps not everyone knows and understands how to correctly connect the same Bluetooth mouse, speaker, headphones, etc. And because of this, questions arise related to the fact that the laptop does not find the desired Bluetooth device. Therefore, here are a few instructions showing how to properly connect:
- How to connect Bluetooth headphones to a computer or laptop
- How to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a laptop or computer
- How to connect a wireless mouse to a laptop or computer
Well, if you do everything according to the instructions, the laptop looks for devices but does not find it, then you need to check other solutions.
What if Windows doesn't find the Bluetooth device I want?
Most often, the system does not see only a specific device that we want to connect. It happens that not a single device is found. In this case, for example, a phone, tablet or other computer detects a Bluetooth device and connects to it. On Windows 10 it looks like this:
Endless search for devices. Note the message in the photo above: "Make sure your device is turned on and discoverable." And this is very good advice.
1In order for our laptop or PC to be able to find the necessary device, it must of course be turned on and in search mode. Almost every device (headphones, mouse, speaker) has a button that switches the device into connection mode. Makes it visible to other devices. This is usually a separate button with a Bluetooth icon. Which you need to press and hold for a few seconds (until the indicator starts flashing).
Sometimes this function is performed by the power button of the device. On my mouse, for example, this button is labeled "Connect". After activating the connection mode, the indicator on the device should be actively blinking.
This means that the device itself is discoverable.
See the instructions for your device. It says exactly how to put it into connection mode.
2The device might already be paired with your computer. But for some reason it doesn't work. In this case, in the Windows settings, you need to find this device (it will be in the "Paired" status) and remove it.
Then you need to activate the connection mode on the device (in my case, on Bluetooth headphones) and connect it again.
3Not everyone knows, but on the same Bluetooth headphones (I think that on all) you can reset the settings. They are disconnected from all devices with which they were paired and will have to be reconnected. Sometimes it helps to solve the problem with detecting wireless headphones on the computer. On my JBL headphones, as I understand it, the reset is done as follows:- We turn on the headphones.
- We activate the connection mode (so that the indicator starts blinking).
- Press and hold the volume up and down button for 5 seconds. White flashes instead of the blue indicator several times.
On Sony headsets, for example, you can reset the settings using two buttons: the power button and the Pause / Start button. They need to be clamped and held for 7 seconds.
Of course, on different devices, different manufacturers, etc., this procedure can be performed in different ways. For example, a long hold (30 seconds) of the connection mode activation button. You need to look at the instructions and google information.
In the comments, Alexander wrote about the problem when a new laptop on Windows 10 does not see the Bluetooth mouse, and later shared his solution. He was helped by the following steps (You can try the second point right away. If it doesn't work, then 1 and 2.):- You need to press the Win + R key combination, enter the services.msc command and click Ok. Then find the "Bluetooth Support Service" service, open its properties and set the startup type: "Automatic". Click "Apply".
Reboot your computer. - Go to "Options", to the "Bluetooth and other devices" section and go to the related parameters "Other Bluetooth parameters". A window will open in which you need to check the box next to "Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer" and click "Apply".
Try connecting your device.
Reboot your computer.
Try connecting your device.After connecting the device, uncheck this box in the settings. To prevent other devices from seeing your computer. This refers to new devices that have not yet been connected.
Error "It didn't work. Please make sure the Bluetooth device is still discoverable and then try again"
I myself ran into this error when connecting AirPods in Windows 10. The first time the laptop saw them without any problems and they connected. The next day I needed to reconnect them. I activated Connection Mode on AirPods, but the laptop was not detecting them. What I just did not do: deleted them in the device manager, did a factory reset, rebooted the laptop - the earphone was not detected at all. Then I saw that they did not disappear from the list of connected devices in Windows 10.
They were displayed there with the status "Paired". And when I clicked on the "Connect" button, a message appeared: "Add a device - bring it up to configure ...", then the window "... is trying to pair with this device with Windows. Allow?" After resolving, the following error appeared: "It didn't work. Please make sure the Bluetooth device is still discoverable and then try again."
I solved the problem very quickly. Just removed the headphones. Click "Delete device" and confirm the deletion.
After that, I started searching for Bluetooth devices and the earphone immediately appeared in the list of available for connection. I connected them and it all worked!
If you encountered such a problem and were able to solve it - tell us about it in the comments. I will be adding new, working solutions to the article. If you can't decide - just write. Just before that, try to follow the recommendations from the article. Describe your case in detail, and write what devices you have.
