Fix Bluetooth Audio and Display Problems in Windows 10: Having issues connecting Bluetooth audio devices or wireless displays to your Windows 10 computer? This common problem can often be easily fixed by troubleshooting your Bluetooth settings, updating drivers, removing and re-pairing devices, or using the Windows 10 troubleshooter. Read on to learn some simple steps to get your Bluetooth connections and wireless displays working properly again in Windows 10.
1. Check That Bluetooth is Turned On
Before troubleshooting any further, first check that Bluetooth is actually turned on.
To check in Windows 10:
- Open the Action Center by clicking the notification icon in the bottom right.
- Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is turned on (blue).
Also make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the device itself that you’re trying to connect. For example, on Bluetooth headphones, check that the power is on and Bluetooth pairing mode is active.
2. Update Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Drivers
Outdated or corrupt drivers are a common cause of Bluetooth and wireless display connection issues in Windows 10.
To update your drivers:
- Open “Device Manager”.
- Expand the “Bluetooth” and “Network adapters” sections.
- Right click on your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters and select “Update driver”.
- Choose to automatically search for updated drivers online.
Follow any prompts to install the updated drivers. If unable to find updates online, check your laptop manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers.
3. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
Another quick fix is to toggle Airplane mode on and off. This essentially restarts the wireless radios and can clear up temporary connection issues.
To toggle Airplane mode:
- Open the Action Center and select the Airplane mode tile.
- Turn Airplane mode on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again.
- Try connecting your Bluetooth device again.
4. Forget and Re-Pair the Bluetooth Device
If a Bluetooth device has been paired before but has connection problems, it may help to forget the device and repair it from scratch.
To forget and re-pair:
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices.
- Click on the Bluetooth device having issues and select “Remove device”. Confirm to forget it.
- Now turn Bluetooth off and back on again on both Windows and the device.
- Put the Bluetooth device into pairing mode and select it from the list of available devices to connect again.
5. Reset Network Settings
For wireless display connection issues in particular, resetting your network settings can help resolve software and configuration problems.
To reset network settings:
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Under “Change your network settings”, select “Network reset”.
- Confirm the reset and wait for your PC to reboot.
Your Wi-Fi network connections will be forgotten and need to be re-entered, but this often resolves tricky wireless and network problems.
6. Use the Windows Network Troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in network troubleshooter that can automatically detect and attempt to fix various wireless, Wi-Fi and network problems.
To run the network troubleshooter:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- Under “Find and fix other problems”, select “Networking” > Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen steps to complete the troubleshooting process.
The troubleshooter will analyze your wireless configuration and connectivity to determine the cause and make any required changes.
7. Check for Interference
Physical obstructions, distance and interference from other devices can disrupt Bluetooth signals. Make sure the computer and Bluetooth device are within 30 feet and free of obstacles in between.
Also try moving away from potential sources of interference like USB 3.0 devices, wireless keyboards/mice, microwaves and baby monitors. Turn off nearby devices to isolate interference.
If possible, plug USB 3.0 devices into USB 2.0 ports instead. The extra bandwidth of USB 3.0 can emit radio noise that disrupts Bluetooth.
8. Toggle Bluetooth Services
Interfering programs running in the background can sometimes disrupt Bluetooth connections. Temporarily disabling certain services forces them to restart and may resolve conflicts.
To toggle Bluetooth services:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run command.
- Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services manager.
- Locate the Bluetooth Support Service, right click and select “Restart”.
- Also restart the Radio Management Service.
- Try connecting your Bluetooth device again.
9. Turn Off Fast Startup
Windows 10’s Fast Startup feature can sometimes cause issues with detecting and connecting to Bluetooth peripherals after booting up.
Turning off Fast Startup forces a full reboot and may improve Bluetooth reliability.
To disable Fast Startup:
- Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep.
- Under “Related settings” click “Additional power settings”.
- In the Power Options window, select “Choose what the power buttons do”.
- Change “Turn on fast startup” to disabled.
Now fully shut down and restart your PC before trying to connect your Bluetooth device again.
10. Update Windows 10
Microsoft regularly releases cumulative updates and bug fixes for Windows 10 to address Bluetooth problems and improve connectivity.
Make sure you have the latest Windows updates installed:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Keeping Windows 10 fully up-to-date gives you the latest fixes and optimizations for better Bluetooth performance.