BLUETOOTH ISSUES

This subpage of our E-Learning platform teaches you on all challenges and recommended solutions when it comes to the computer and phone Bluetooth connectivity. On a Windows computer, you may experience Bluetooth connection issues due to device compatibility, operating system, or driver and/or software updates. Other causes include incorrect settings, a broken device, or the Bluetooth device may be off.

There are several ways to fix Bluetooth connection problems in Windows. In this guide, we’re going to show you how to fix it on a computer using Windows 10.

Enable Bluetooth

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled by going to the Action Center and clicking on the notification icon at the bottom right side of your computer’s screen next to the Clock. Find the Bluetooth tile and click to turn it on (it’s grey/dim when off).

Before you start, make sure that your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth. For more info on how to check, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10. If you need help adding a device without Bluetooth capabilities, see Add a device to a Windows 10 PC.

Turn on Bluetooth

After you've checked that your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth, you'll need to turn it on. Here's how:

In Settings

Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and turn on Bluetooth.

Turn on Bluetooth in Settings

In action center

Action center can be found next to time and date on your taskbar. On the taskbar, select action center ( or ), then select Bluetooth to turn it on. If it's turned off, it might appear as Not connected.

If you don't see Bluetooth in your action center, here's how you can change it:

If your Bluetooth is still not connecting try to update the Bluetooth drivers by following the steps below;

  • Step 1:
    Download and install PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

Download it here

  • Step 2:
    Start the program then scan your PC to find obsolete and missing drivers

  • Step 3:
    Click "Update" to install and update all the drivers on your PC.



How to update your drivers Windows Bluetooth in Windows®

Hardware devices need special programs called "drivers" to communicate with your computer and work correctly.

If you have ever tried to add a new mouse, printer or other hardware to your computer, you will know that finding the right driver to make the device work can be time-consuming. It is difficult and sometimes very frustrating tracking down the correct driver for a single device, not to mention the often dozens of hardware devices connected to your computer.

PC HelpSoft Driver Updater solves these problems by easily and quickly finding and installing drivers:

Resolving the Bluetooth Adapter Turning Off

  1. Change the power management setting for the Bluetooth adapter.

    1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

    2. In the Search box, type device manager.

    3. Touch or click Device Manager (Control panel.

    4. Touch or click the arrow to the left of Bluetooth.

    5. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter (not the ones that read Enumerator), and then select the Power Management tab.

    6. Uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

    7. Touch or click OK.

    8. Close the Device Manager window.

  2. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.

    1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

    2. In the Search box type, troubleshoot.

    3. Click or touch Troubleshoot (system settings) in the list of programs.

    4. Under Find and fix other problems click or touch Bluetooth, and then click or touch Run the troubleshooter, and then follow the prompts.

    5. After the troubleshoot finishes, close the Settings window.


  1. Run the Dell PC hardware diagnostics on your webcam.

    1. Browse to the Dell Product Support page.

    2. You are given three options to get to the product support page for your computer.

      • Touch or click the listing for your computer under THIS PC.

      • Note: When there is no listing for your computer under THIS PC, you can touch or click Download & Install SupportAssist, which will automatically identify your computer for you. Follow the prompts to download and install SupportAssist.

      • Enter the Service Tag, Dell EMC Product ID, or Model, and then touch or click the Search button, and select your computer from the list.

      • Touch or click Browse all products: You must select the type of device you have, the brand name, and then the product model.

      • Note: For more information, refer to the Dell Knowledge Base article, How to find the product model of your Dell computer

    3. When you get to the product support page for your computer, touch or click the DIAGNOSTICS tab.

    4. Touch or click the down arrow next to Select individual components under Custom Component Test.

    5. Touch or click to check the box next to Bluetooth ports.

    6. Touch or click Run Your Test. The test runs, and the results are shown.


  3. Run the automated tools provided in the SupportAssist tool (this will determine whether any newer drivers are available, and check for performance issues).

    1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

    2. In the search box type supportassist.

    3. Select SupportAssist (App) in the list of results.

    4. Note: When SupportAssist does not show up in the search results, browse to the "SupportAssist for PCs and tablets" page for information about downloading and installing SupportAssist.

    5. Touch or click Start Now to run all the tests.

    6. Note: You can touch or click the down arrow and then run the individual test, but we recommend running all the tests.

    7. SupportAssist runs the tests one by one and provides the results.


  5. Run Windows updates.
    Update your computer to the latest version of Windows. For more information, refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base article     "Windows Update: FAQ."

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5. The Bluetooth Toggle Icon Does Not Appear in Windows 10

  1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.

  2. In the Search box type device manager.

  3. Select Device Manager (Control panel) in the list of programs.

  4. Click Plus (+) next to Bluetooth.

  5. Note: When there is no listing for Bluetooth, proceed to Step 6.

  7. Look for any listing that has a down-arrow next to it.

  8. Note: When such a listing is showing, right-click on the listing and select Enable device, no other actions are needed, close the Device Manager window.

  10. Browse to the "Dell Support" website.

  11. You are given three options to identify your computer.
    Either:

    • Touch or click the listing for your computer under THIS PC.

    • Note: When there is no listing for your computer under THIS PC, you can touch or click Download & Install SupportAssist, which will automatically identify your computer for you. Follow the prompts to download and install SupportAssist.

    • Enter the Service Tag, Dell EMC Product ID, or Model, and then touch or click the Search button, and select your computer from the list.

    • Touch or click Browse all products: You must select the type of device you have, the brand name, and then the product model.

    • Note: For more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, How to find the product model of your Dell computer


  1. Touch or click the DIAGNOSTICS tab.

  2. Under Custom Component Test, touch or click Select individual components.

  3. In the list, touch or click to select Bluetooth Device under System Devices.

  4. Note: Other hardware tests are also available.

  6. Touch or click the Run Your Test. The test is run and the results are shown.