Connect a Bluetooth device Error in Windows 11

What causes the Bluetooth error in Windows 11?

If you receive the Bluetooth device Error message “Try connecting your device again,” it could be due to a primary reason: Bluetooth not being enabled. Therefore, before delving into the root cause analysis, it is advisable to verify whether Bluetooth is enabled on your Windows 11 device.

Among the other causes that may lead to this Bluetooth error are:

• If the Bluetooth support service is not running.
• Due to corrupt Bluetooth drivers or outdated Intel Chipset drivers.
• Outdated BIOS version.
• Interference by other connected Bluetooth devices.
• A glitch with the Bluetooth functioning of your system

Fix “Try connecting your device again” Bluetooth Error in Windows 11

Before you proceed to follow the solutions, we recommend you restart your PC, turn Bluetooth Discovery Off/On for your PC/device, and see if that helps. If that does not, then follow these suggestions:

• Connect the Wi-Fi antenna
• Remove and reconnect your device
• Enable Bluetooth Support Service
• Update the Intel chipset driver
• Reinstall the Bluetooth driver
• Update BIOS

1] Connect the Wi-Fi antenna

According to user testing, this method has proven effective for resolving the “Try connecting your device again” error for many users.

It is worth noting that Intel has indicated that only certain motherboards with Bluetooth chipsets that use Wi-Fi antennas will benefit from this method. If you have a new Windows 11 PC, you should check if the box contains dedicated Wi-Fi antennas (which may come in a pair).

Intel has identified the following wireless adapters as requiring an antenna: Intel Wireless-AC 9260, Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265, and Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 Desktop K, based on their description.

2] Remove and reconnect your device

Sometimes, the Bluetooth error could show up if there’s an issue with the pairing. In such a case, you must unpair the device and pair again to reset the device and also clear the Bluetooth cache in Windows 11:

1. Press the Win + I keys together to launch Windows Settings.
2. Click on Bluetooth & Devices section on the left, and click on Devices on the right.
3. On the next screen, look for the device that’s showing the error, click on the three dots next to it, and select Remove device.

Now, restart your PC, open the Settings window again as shown in Step 1, and pair the device again.

3] Turn on the Bluetooth service

If the related Windows service is not running, it could interfere with the functioning of the system’s Bluetooth and also fail to connect with the device. In this case, you can turn on the Bluetooth support service as explained below:

1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run dialog.
2. Type in services.msc in the search bar and hit Enter.
3. In the Services window, go to the right and look for Bluetooth Support Service. Double-click on it.
4. In the Properties dialog, under the General tab, go to Startup type and select Automatic.
5. Next, go to Service status, and click on Start. Press Apply and OK.

5] Reinstall the Bluetooth drivers

In some cases, you may encounter this error in Windows 11 due to a corrupted Bluetooth driver. Hence, it’s recommended to update the Bluetooth drivers to their latest version or download it from the manufacturer’s website to fix the issue.

Visit the manufacturer’s website to download Bluetooth drivers for your device. Having done that, you have to uninstall your existing Bluetooth driver as follows:

1. To open the Run dialog, press the Win + R shortcut keys.
2. Now, type devmgmt.msc in the search box and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
3. Next, expand the Bluetooth section, right-click on the device that’s causing the issue, and select Uninstall device.
4. Click on Uninstall again in the prompt to confirm the action.
5. Now run the downloaded driver setup file to install the driver.

6] Update the BIOS firmware

The BIOS is responsible for managing data flow between a PC and external devices such as hard disks, keyboards, mice, and Bluetooth devices. To ensure proper functionality of Bluetooth devices, it is essential to keep the BIOS firmware up-to-date with the latest drivers.

To resolve the Bluetooth error, it is recommended to update the BIOS firmware on your Windows 11 PC. Most OEM manufacturers offer utilities that simplify the process of updating BIOS, firmware, and drivers. It is important to obtain these utilities from the official website to ensure safety and reliability during the update process.

How do I allow Bluetooth devices to connect to Windows 11?

To allow other Bluetooth devices to connect to your Windows 11 PC, make sure your PC supports Bluetooth and that it’s turned on:

1. Press the Win + I shortcut keys to open the Settings app.
2. In the Settings window, click on Bluetooth & devices on the left.
3. Next, go to Bluetooth on the right and move the toggle to the right to turn it on.
4. Now, go to the taskbar, expand the system tray and here, you should see the Bluetooth icon.

Alternatively, you may also check if the Airplane mode is turned on or off, or if the antivirus is blocking the device.

How to fix Bluetooth missing from Device Manager in Windows 11?

If Bluetooth is not visible or missing from the Device Manager, we recommend you begin by restarting your computer to see if the issue resolves itself. If it persists, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem.

These steps include running the Bluetooth and Hardware & Devices Troubleshooters, restarting the Bluetooth Support Service, enabling hidden devices in the Device Manager, downloading the Bluetooth driver from the manufacturer’s website, disabling Fast Startup, among others.