How to Troubleshoot Bluetooth Problems

Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for connecting accessories to computers. Bluetooth is commonly used to connect keyboards, mice, handheld devices, mobile phones, and global positioning system (GPS) receivers.

Bluetooth is simple enough to configure that most users can connect Bluetooth devices without help from the Support Center. However, users may occasionally have problems initiating a Bluetooth connection. Other times, a connection that previously worked may stop working for no apparent reason.

If you cannot successfully connect a Bluetooth device, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify that the device is turned on and that the batteries are charged.
2. Place the device within a few feet of your computer (but not too close to your Bluetooth adapter). Additionally, verify that the device is not near other devices that use radio frequencies, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, remote controls, or 802.11 wireless networks.
3. Verify that the device has Bluetooth enabled and that it is configured as discoverable. For security reasons, many devices are not discoverable by default. For more information, refer to the instructions that came with the device.
4. Install any updates available from Windows Update.
5. Download and install updated software and drivers for your hardware. Hardware manufacturers often release updated software for hardware features after they release the hardware. You can typically download software updates from the manufacturer's Web site.
6. Verify that Windows is configured to accept incoming Bluetooth connections.
7. Verify that security is configured correctly. You might have configured a nondefault passkey for your device. By default, many devices use 0000 or 0001 as a passkey.
8. Remove and reinstall the Bluetooth device.