Bluetooth connectivity issues can be frustrating, especially when you're unable to detect nearby devices on your Windows 10 computer. This problem often occurs after a Windows update or driver update. In this article, we will provide you with several methods to fix this issue and get your Bluetooth devices working again.
What Causes Bluetooth to Stop Detecting Devices on Windows 10?
There are several common causes that can lead to Bluetooth connectivity problems on Windows 10. These include:
- Bluetooth services not running: The Bluetooth services on your computer may have stopped for unknown reasons. Additionally, the startup type of these services should be set to Automatic to ensure they start each time Windows boots.
- Faulty Bluetooth drivers: Outdated or mismatched Bluetooth drivers are a major cause of Bluetooth detection issues. It's important to ensure that you have the correct drivers installed for your Bluetooth devices.
Now, let's dive into the solutions to fix Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows 10.
Solution 1: Make Sure the Bluetooth Service is Running
One possible reason for Bluetooth detection problems is an error with the main Bluetooth service. You can easily restart the services to resolve this issue. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows Key + R key combination on your keyboard to open the Run utility.
- Type "services.msc" (without the quotation marks) and click OK to open the Services tool.
- In the Services window, locate the Bluetooth service, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu.
- If the service is currently running, click the Stop button to stop it temporarily.
- Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic in the service's properties window.
- Click the Start button to start the service again.
- If you encounter the error message "Windows could not start the Bluetooth service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process," follow these additional steps:
- Navigate to the Log On tab in the service's properties window.
- Click Browse and enter your account's name in the "Enter the object name to select" box.
- Click Check Names and wait for the name to become available.
- Click OK and enter your password if prompted.
- Repeat the same process for other Bluetooth services, such as the Bluetooth Support Service or the Bluetooth GATT service, if the problem persists.
Solution 2: Update Bluetooth Device Drivers
Outdated or incompatible Bluetooth drivers can often cause Bluetooth connectivity issues. To resolve this problem, you should update or reinstall the Bluetooth device drivers in Device Manager. Follow these steps:
- Click the Start menu button, type "Device Manager," and select it from the list of available results.
- In Device Manager, locate the Bluetooth section and expand it.
- Right-click on each Bluetooth device entry and choose Uninstall Device.
- Confirm any prompts to uninstall the current driver and wait for the process to complete.
- Visit the official website of your device's manufacturer and search for the latest driver for your specific device.
- Download the latest driver and run the downloaded file to install the drivers.
- Alternatively, you can go back to Device Manager, click Action from the top menu, and select Scan for hardware changes. This will check for devices without drivers and reinstall them automatically.
- Check if the Bluetooth detection issue has been resolved.
Solution 3: Install the Latest Windows Updates
Windows updates often include patches to fix various issues, including Bluetooth connectivity problems. Updating your operating system to the latest version can help resolve this problem. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows Key + I key combination to open the Settings on your Windows PC.
- In the Settings window, locate and open the "Update & security" section.
- Stay in the Windows Update tab and click the Check for updates button to check for any available updates.
- If there is a new version of Windows available, Windows will install the update immediately and prompt you to restart your computer.
Solution 4: Run the Hardware & Device Troubleshooter
Running the Hardware & Device troubleshooter can often help resolve Bluetooth detection issues. Follow these steps based on your Windows version:
For Windows 10 Users:
- Search for Settings in the Start menu and click on the first result.
- In the Settings window, navigate to the Troubleshoot tab.
- Under the "Find and fix other problems" section, locate the Hardware and devices troubleshooter and click on it.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting process.
- Check if the Bluetooth detection problem has been resolved.
For other versions of Windows:
- Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start button or using the Windows Key + R key combination and typing "control.exe" in the Run dialog box.
- In Control Panel, change the view to Category and click on "View devices and printers" under the Hardware and Sound section.
- Head over to the Devices section, right-click on your PC's icon, and choose the Troubleshoot option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
- Check if the Bluetooth detection issue has been resolved.
By following these methods, you should be able to fix the Bluetooth not detecting devices issue on your Windows 10 computer. Enjoy seamless Bluetooth connectivity and easily connect with your favorite devices!