In this article, I'll show you how to fix common Bluetooth problems on Windows 10. For additional setup instructions, you can check out my related article, How to Set Up Bluetooth on Windows 10
.
Check out my Recommended Bluetooth Adapter below to upgrade your Bluetooth dongle.
TP-Link USB 5.0 Bluetooth Adapter
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Why Can't I Connect My Bluetooth Device to Another Device?
Bluetooth devices usually auto-connect to previously connected devices.
Put your Bluetooth device into pairing mode after temporarily turning Bluetooth off on your other Bluetooth devices (ones you aren't connecting to).
How Do I Fix Bluetooth Not Working on Windows 10?
You may be able to resolve your Bluetooth issues by running the Windows Troubleshooter for Bluetooth or updating to the latest version of Windows.
Fix #1: Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Troubleshoot settings, and open it.
Near the bottom of this window, click Additional Troubleshooters, then scroll down to Bluetooth.
Click Bluetooth, then click the Run the troubleshooter button and wait for it to detect any issues.
Running the troubleshooter won't fix most problems, but it's always worth trying!
Run Windows 10 Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Fix #2: Restart Your Computer
Restart your computer. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Fix #3: Restart the Bluetooth Device
Try turning your device (for example, headphones, mouse, or keyboard) off and on again.
Fix #4: Disconnect and Pair the Device Again
Learn how to disconnect and pair your device again in the section Pairing / Connecting a New Device.
Fix #5: Unplug Other USB Adapters and Devices
Some devices and USB Bluetooth adapters might not be compatible with each other.
Unplug any other USB adapters or devices that you have plugged into your computer.
Fix #6: Try a Different USB Slot
Windows may update or reinstall USB drivers if you plug the Bluetooth adapter into a new USB port.
Fix #7: Update Windows
Make sure to keep your Windows 10 up to date. To update windows, search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Check for updates, and open it.
Windows update search result on Windows 10
Then click the Check for updates button on the window that opens.
Check for Windows 10 updates
Other Options
If your Bluetooth adapter isn't compatible with your device, your best option is to purchase a new Bluetooth adapter.
If that doesn't fix any of your problems, continue down below for other Bluetooth issues fixes. Or it's as simple as the device needs charging (it's easy to forget sometimes!)
Disable Hands-Free Telephony
Learn how to disable hands-free telephony on Windows 10.
How to Fix Low-Quality, Skipping, or Popping Bluetooth Audio on Windows 10
To fix bad audio quality with Bluetooth headphones, you'll need to either change your sound settings, install new drivers, or buy a new device.
Note that using a wire to plug in your Bluetooth headphones to your computer won't fix this issue because doing so would only connect the headphone audio and not the microphone.
Fix #1: Set Headphones to Be the Default Playback Device
The first step is to open your sound settings. You can access this by right-clicking on the sound icon in the taskbar. Select Sounds.
Open sound settings in Windows 10 from taskbar
If you don't see the sound button in the taskbar, you can alternatively search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Sound Settings and open it.
Then on the right side of the window, click Sound Control Panel.
Go to the Playback tab and scroll down until you see the device with which you're trying to listen.
If you see "Headset" also set as the default device, this is usually the cause of bad audio quality. Set Headphones as the default device by selecting it, then click Set Default.
Set headphones as the default device on Windows 10
After that, close the window. Your sound quality should have improved.
If you can't hear anything after changing the settings above, go through the steps again and select another audio playback device.
Caveat: Can't Use Both High-Quality Headphones and Microphone
The downside to this fix is that Windows doesn't support using both the high-quality headphone audio AND the microphone from your headphones simultaneously.
So if you want good quality audio on Bluetooth, you'll need to use an external microphone.
If you want to use the microphone on your headphones, you'll need to use the "Headset" option in the sound settings; however, this would result in low-quality audio.
Fix #2: Disable Hands-Free Telephony
Learn how to disable Hands-Free Telephony.
Fix #3: Remove Obstructions
Ensure that your computer or other objects don't obstruct your Bluetooth adapter or antenna.
The Bluetooth signal may not transmit well through some materials, which may degrade the sound/
Other Options
If you’re still having issues, try these steps:
- Disconnect your Bluetooth device.
- Connect your Bluetooth device.
- Restart your computer.
What Is Hands-Free Telephony and How Do I Disable It on Windows 10?
Hands-free Telephony is a service on Windows that is for using Bluetooth headsets for phone calls. This service sometimes causes audio issues with Bluetooth Headphones so you might need to disable it to resolve audio problems.
You can disable this in "Windows Devices and Printers" window then the device properties window.
The downside to Hands-free Telephony is that it can reduce the sound quality of the sound on your headphones. Windows 10 doesn't support using both the high-quality headphone sound AND the microphone from your headphones at the same time. So if you want good quality audio on Bluetooth, you'll need to use an external microphone.
To Disable Hands-Free Telephony
Search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Control Panel, and open it.
Now click on Devices and Printers.
Right-click on your device and click properties.
Go to the Services tab.
Uncheck Handsfree Telephony.
Click Apply, then close the window.
Disable Handsfree Telephony on Windows 10
TP-Link USB 5.0 Bluetooth Adapter
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Why Is My Bluetooth Microphone Not Working on Windows 10?
One strategy for fixing your Bluetooth Microphone is to set it as your default device in the Windows sound settings.
To fix this issue, open your sound settings. You can access this by right-clicking on the sound icon in the taskbar. Select Sounds.
If you don't see the sound button in the taskbar, you can alternatively search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Sound Settings and open it. Then on the right side of the window, click Sound Control Panel.
Open sound settings in Windows 10 from taskbar
Go to the Recording tab at the top, then scroll down until you see your device.
From there, you should see a header labeled Headset or Microphone.
"Microphone" is usually for a separate device and not a microphone on your headphones.
Select the one you want, then click Set Default.
Set headphones as default headset on recording sound settings tab
When using the microphone on your headphones, you'll need to set the default device, titled "Headset," on the "Playback" tab. When doing this, the sound quality will be degraded and not sound good. The degraded sound quality is a limitation of Windows 10. We recommend using a separate microphone (3.5 mm or USB) for optimal quality.
If this doesn't solve your issue, look through this article to see if any other fix would help.
How Do I Fix the Bluetooth Icon Missing on Windows 10?
You can fix a missing Bluetooth icon by opening your Bluetooth Settings and checking the option to show the Bluetooth icon.
To do this, first search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Bluetooth and other devices, and open it.
Then, on the right side of the screen, click More Bluetooth Options and open it (you may have to scroll down to see this option).
The "Bluetooth Settings" window should appear. Make sure it's on the Options tab.
Then make sure the Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area is checked.
Click Apply.
If this doesn't fix the problem, you may need to reinstall your Bluetooth drivers.
How to show the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar on Windows 10
How Do I Fix the Bluetooth Yellow Triangle Error Icon on Windows 10?
To fix the yellow triangle error icon showing for Bluetooth, reinstall your drivers. Additionally, configure the Bluetooth services to run in Automatic mode to allow them to start at startup.
Yellow triangle icon for Bluetooth on Windows 10
Fix #1: Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers
Reinstall your drivers.
Learn how to do this in the section how to reinstall your Bluetooth drivers.
Fix #2: Enable Bluetooth Service
The other possible solution is to make sure the Bluetooth Services are running in Automatic mode.
First, search Windows (Windows Key + S) for Services, and open it. This window shows a list of all Windows services.
Now scroll down to Bluetooth Support Service and right-click then click Properties.
Make sure it's on the General tab.
Under Startup type, change that to Automatic.
Click Apply
Set Bluetooth service to start automatically on Windows 10
You may need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.
If this doesn't fix your issue, there may be compatibility issues with your devices. You can either contact the support center of your device manufacturer or buy a newer Bluetooth adapter.
Recommended Bluetooth Adapter: TP-Link UB500
- Works great with Windows 10, 8.1, and 7
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0
TP-Link USB 5.0 Bluetooth Adapter Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Related Bluetooth Topics
- What is Bluetooth? - Learn which Bluetooth features are essential to you and build an understanding of the Bluetooth technology.
- Bluetooth versions - Learn about the different versions of Bluetooth.
- Find out how to set up Bluetooth on Windows 10 - Everything you need to know to set up Bluetooth on Windows 10.
A Note From the Authors
As technology experts, we are dedicated to providing accurate and helpful information on various technology products and services. Our goal is to provide valuable insights and recommendations that help our readers make informed decisions.
We understand that the technology industry is constantly evolving, and we strive to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments. However, we recognize that there may be occasions when errors or inaccuracies slip through, despite our best efforts.
That's why we welcome feedback from our readers and encourage them to reach out to us with any corrections or suggestions they may have. By working together, we can ensure that our content remains accurate, helpful, and up-to-date.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for us, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We value your input and look forward to hearing from you.