Bluetooth is a wireless communication standard for transmitting digital information between equipment such as a PC and peripheral devices, telephone, printer at a distance of up to 10 m. Due to differences between firmware, operating systems, interface versions and settings, situations often occur when Bluetooth is on a computer or the phone does not see other devices.
Factors of the problem
In general, there are only three reasons why Bluetooth does not find the device:
- the wireless module with which you plan to pair is simply disabled;
- Bluetooth detection is turned off in its driver settings;
- modules are out of range.
If we are talking about a headset, the battery in the headphones may have run out.
Why the adapter does not find devices to connect is described in the following video:
Solution
Let's consider all the points in more detail, although even without this it is clear what should be done in each situation:
- enable the wireless module on the device with which you want to establish a connection;
- activate the detection function;
- Check the headset's battery, because smartphones and tablets have no settings for this wireless module at all.
Let's start in order.
Enabling the adapter
Depending on whether the phone or another computer is not detected, the Bluetooth activation algorithm will be different!
For iPhone, you need to go to settings and tap on the third item “Bluetooth”. In Android, we lower the curtain or also open the settings and activate the module by tapping on the icon with its icon.
On a laptop and computer (when using an external adapter) with Windows 7, you need to call the “Task Manager” (press Win + R and execute the command “devmgmt.msc”) and check whether the hardware is active. If the icon is colored grey colour, which means the device is unavailable - disabled. Right-click to open the context menu and select “Engage”.
On a laptop, a combination of Fn keys and one of a number of functional keys F1-F12 is intended for this. In Windows 10, you need to open the notification center by clicking on its tray icon and clicking on the icon with the interface icon.
The second method is to launch the file transfer program through “Start” in the “Standard” folder.
Another way is to open “Settings”, go to the “Devices” section and in the first tab click “On”.
Driver
If there is no driver (Bluetooth is not in the list of available equipment), it must be installed, and if there is a yellow icon next to the module icon, it must be updated.
In the first case, we find the required driver on the support site for our device and install it through the installer. In the second, we remove the old software along with the device, update the hardware configuration with the button of the same name on the “Device Manager” toolbar and wait for the driver to be installed automatically.
If you are using external USB adapter, firmware must be searched by the full name of the device. After installing the drivers, you need to activate the adapter.
In new motherboards and laptops, the outdated BIOS is replaced by its advanced counterpart called UEFI. In the settings of both BIOS and UEFI there is a function to deactivate wireless modules: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
In older versions of the interface, most often, it is located in the “Advanced” section, and in new ones – in “System Configuration”. It all depends on the manufacturer of the motherboard or laptop and the firmware version. There is no universal recipe.
Enable detection
Valid only for operating systems Windows family. If a laptop or computer With Windows 7 does not see devices via Bluetooth , open the adapter parameters in the tray.
In the tab of the same name, we activate the only option in the “Discovery” section, and also allow other devices to connect to this computer. It is advisable to display a tray icon and activate an alert when there are connections.
In the "Ten" everything is done in a similar way, unless the "Airplane" mode is turned on.
It would be advisable to check the activity of the service responsible for Bluetooth operation:
- Press Win + R and execute “msc”.
- Find the service “Bluetooth Support Service” or “Bluetooth Support Service” and check its status. If it is not running, activate it. If you use the radio module frequently, you should set the service properties to “Autostart”.
Headset
When Bluetooth on a laptop or mobile phone does not see the device for playing sound, the source of the problem must be looked for in wireless headphones. They are turned off, the battery powering the device is dead, or the devices are outside the signal propagation range (in practice this is a maximum of 10 m).
Sometimes you need to hold down the power button for several seconds to activate Bluetooth on your headphones.
Problems with connecting gadgets on iPhone are described here:
Bluetooth connection
Let's now briefly talk about how to connect devices via Bluetooth using the example of a laptop with Windows 10 and a smartphone:
- We activate the adapters on both devices: on the mobile at the top, in the curtain, on the laptop through “Settings”, section “Bluetooth and other devices”.
- On the PC, select “Add Bluetooth or another device” and click on the first item “Bluetooth”.
- The search for devices will begin. Find the device you need in the list.
- A pairing request will appear. Using the specified PIN code, connect.
Users of Android 8.0 Oreo have already encountered Bluetooth problems, and thus users who have updated their smartphone to latest version, were disappointed in this. If you are one of those who are looking for a solution to this problem, then rest assured, you have come to the right place!
Android 8.0 Oreo: Problems with Bluetooth
There is currently no immediate fix for Bluetooth connection issues as Google is still investigating the situation and gathering as much information as possible to identify the issue. Anyone experiencing Bluetooth issues after updating to Android 8.0 Oreo has been asked by Google to provide relevant information, including vehicle name and release date, model and brand of wired and Bluetooth headphones.
From some answers, we know that the 2017 Toyota Tacoma will not display media content on the car's display after updating to Android Oreo. Other problems include music playback stopping after attempting to fast forward. In 2014 BMW i3, Bluetooth phone, music and navigation did not work after OTA update despite being connected to a mobile device.
It's not such a great start for Android 8.0 Oreo after all with its Bluetooth issues.
Another common issue reported by users who have updated to Android Oreo is missing Spotify song information no longer showing up on its own. Although it's not as severe and it's more annoying, it's still something that needs to be fixed as it worked fine in Android Nougat.
While we understand that no software release has ever been completely free of bugs or shortcomings, many people had already raised the issue with Bluetooth connectivity when the Oreo beta began. It seemed quite surprising to us that such problems still arise in official version Android Oreo. Bluetooth has always been problematic Android platform compared to iOS, so we hope Google staff can come up with a fix as soon as possible.
Every person sooner or later faces the problem of transferring information to his computer. There can be a great many reasons for this: lack of necessary connecting cables, inability to open the case and connect a second hard drive, and much more. Every user thinks about ways to transfer information and this is normal for advanced users. Now Bluetooth is not as popular as it used to be, but it will still be useful for some users to learn how to turn on Bluetooth on a computer. After all, this is one of the ways to wirelessly transfer information to a computer or laptop.
Adding new equipment
Launch the application - open the application. Click the device name again to connect. Ignoring or rejecting this request may result in the vehicle being disconnected and reconnected. If you are already in this situation, unplug your phone from your car and plug it back in. To automatically connect your phone to your synced device, simply turn it on.
If there is no built-in function
To automatically disconnect your phone from a synced device, simply turn off the device. Changing the phone name. Tap Rename phone. Devices We would be grateful if you could tell us how we can make this answer more useful.
I have already published an article about what nuances there are when turning on Bluetooth in a laptop, here it is “”, but if you currently only have a computer, then you need a Bluetooth adapter for Bluetooth to appear on your computer. Also, if you have a laptop and want to use bluetooth on it, be sure to follow the link above. This article is an addition to the previous article, so if you even have bluetooth in your laptop and have already figured out how to use it, then in any case I recommend reading it to the end. But first things first.
This functionality of your mobile phone can be activated through the device configuration interface, which is usually accessed through the phone's home screen. In addition, you will also have to give the device a name so that other devices can easily find it. When the phone finds another one, you'll be given the option to pair your device with it, meaning the ID will be saved in memory for future connections. In fact, many computing devices have technology that allows your mobile phone to find and interact with other types of electronic devices, such as laptops and desktops and printers.
In this article I would like to talk about all the stages: installation, connection and configuration of the Bluetooth adapter and what difficulties the user may encounter.
To begin with, you should understand what bluetooth is and what it serves. Bluetooth is a technology that allows you to connect devices wirelessly over a limited distance, which must be equipped with Bluetooth adapters. Most gadgets such as laptops, phones and other devices have built-in adapters, but personal computers are not one of them. To be able to connect a personal computer with another device, you need to install a Bluetooth adapter.
A Bluetooth adapter is a device in the form of a small flash drive that is inserted into a USB port. Inserting the device into the computer does not cause any difficulties, but given the need to often use the front ports of the case, I advise you not to be lazy and place the adapter on the back of the system unit. This is done not only because the adapter will get in the way when you connect the flash drive from the front, but also to prevent damage.
Not valid on previous purchase. Applies only to mine clearance accessories, not to cordless phones or other devices. If you add both items to your cart, for every two refills, one or less will be free.
Review the terms and conditions for details, which include exclusions, limitations, how to apply, coverage cancellations and a list of coverage providers. Here are some tips, from the most orthodox to the most drastic, to solve any irritation. If so, there are some tips to fix it. It seems trivial, but sometimes a simple reset of the device - shutting it down and rebooting - can work wonders.
Here's an example of what it might look like:
So, we understand that without purchasing a Bluetooth adapter, you will not be able to exchange files via Bluetooth. Now let's get started with the computer.
Connecting and identifying possible Bluetooth problems
You must connect your adapter to your computer, after which Bluetooth will be displayed as . If no notifications are received, then there is a problem. As a rule, the functionality of the device itself is beyond doubt, and the new Bluetooth adapter is accompanied by a warranty card, so all problems are most likely related to the computer settings.
Bluetooth - who is it and what is it for?
If the problem is with a device in particular, it might be a good idea to remove the pairing and rewrite it from above. If none of these suggestions have any effect, try everything for everything by restoring your network settings. Of course, if we are talking about simply giving a friend a person’s number, then it’s easier and faster to dictate it.
On both devices, activate the wireless communication module through which we will send data. Press the "Options" touch key to call additional menu. Then tap on “Exchange”. The next step is to search for devices - press the button of the same name.
In most cases, the problem is caused by a faulty USB port. Check the USB port into which you insert the adapter by connecting any other device to it: a mouse, keyboard or flash drive. If the device works, then the USB port can be considered working.
Also, in some cases, the Bluetooth adapter is equipped with a special indicator indicating the operation of the device. If the indicator is not lit, it means the device is not working, is malfunctioning, or the computer does not “see” it. If a malfunction is detected in the USB port, then you need to use the services of a service center, since it will be difficult to fix it yourself. If the Bluetooth adapter itself is faulty, you will have to go with the warranty card to the place where you purchased the non-working product. Also try using other ports.
Using a third party application
In the article I will look at the reasons why the iPhone does not find Bluetooth devices: headphones, speakers, another phone, etc.
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If no software troubleshooting methods help, and no Bluetooth device connects to the iPhone, then contact a service center for diagnostics. There may be physical damage that can be corrected by replacing damaged components with functional parts.
So, the phone does not see the bluetooth headset. In this case, the brand of the headset or phone is not important. The Bluetooth communication standard is universal and if problems arise with the visibility of devices, there can be only three reasons for the problem.
Bluetooth is not enabled on your phone/tablet
This is the first thing to check in such a situation. Go to your phone settings and make sure Bluetooth is activated and the device visibility time is set correctly.Visibility time is set in additional settings. In some phone models they are called “Device Visibility Time”, and in some cases “Detection Timeout”. It is best to check the "Do not use timeout" option. If, after changing the settings, the Bluetooth headset still does not connect, check two more options.
The headset is not turned on or is discharged
In some headsets, the power button must be held for at least five seconds to start operating mode. When the device starts working, the indicator light will begin to blink. After this, you don't need to do anything. All modern Bluetooth headphones connect to the phone automatically.If you press the button long enough and there is no response, the headset is either discharged or faulty. Please note that even a new Bluetooth headset may have an empty battery. Batteries lose charge if left unused for a long time. When charging does not help and the new headset does not turn on, you need to change it from the seller.
The headset has already been paired with another device
Sometimes a Bluetooth headset, which has already been tested many times with another gadget, does not connect to a new phone. The fact is that the headset is automatically connected to the first device, and then the pairing function is disabled. To reactivate it, you need to hold the power button until the indicator lights up. A window will appear on your phone to enter the pairing code. The factory code adopted by manufacturing companies is 0000, four zeros. These are the main reasons why the phone does not see the Bluetooth headset. Due to the fact that such accessories do not have complex settings, there are no other reasons for malfunctions.
How to connect a bluetooth headset to your phone
Let's look at connecting a Bluetooth headset using Partner accessories as an example.The instructions are simple:
- Press the power button and wait for the light signal.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and search for the “Partner BT” device in the search.
- Connect and use.
A Bluetooth headset is an indispensable thing for people who spend a lot of time communicating on an Android phone. It allows you to leave your hands free without looking up from the call, and is especially useful for motorists who are constantly on the move or simply to make communication more comfortable.
The headset allows users to always stay connected
Many of us, when buying a hands-free accessory, do not know how to connect a Bluetooth headset to the phone. In fact, this is done quite simply, so let's find out how to establish a connection quickly and independently.
Connecting a headset
How to set up a Bluetooth headset on Android or devices of other brands? Before connecting it, make sure that your smartphone has a Bluetooth function - in principle, any modern gadget has it. It is also advisable that both devices be charged so that the Bluetooth connection process will not be interrupted if the phone or headset is discharged.
So, pairing a phone on the Android platform or with any other system and a Bluetooth headset occurs as follows:
- Turn on the hands-free accessory, activate the Bluetooth function on your phone - you will find it in Settings, regardless of the manufacturer or system on the gadget;
- Now on the Bluetooth headset you should find a function key that will put it into pairing mode. In most cases, you need to hold down the main key and hold it for a few seconds. If the LED starts blinking different colors after turning on and holding down the button, it means it has entered pairing mode;
Note! Often, if you just bought a Bluetooth headset and have not previously used it for connection, you don’t have to put it into pairing state, but simply turn it on - the first time it is automatically configured in this mode. However, if you were unable to pair it with your Android phone in this way, use the above recommendation.
Why doesn't my phone recognize my Bluetooth headset? Questions like this come up quite often. The fact is that wireless headsets have been in great demand for many years. After all, it is very convenient, especially for drivers. Moreover, traffic rules prohibit talking on a mobile phone while driving. This is exactly what wireless headphones are used for. We wrote about how to listen to music via a Bluetooth headset. But despite this, many users do not know how to use it.
To do this, you need to know some features and rules of application. Moreover, first you need to pair your devices. In other words, add wireless equipment to the list of connections on your smartphone. At the same time, in order to avoid certain inconveniences, after you have synchronized the devices, the headset will no longer be detected by other mobile phones. If you don’t know How to use a wireless Bluetooth headset, read on.
There may be several reasons for this:
- The headset is simply not turned on.
- The synchronization function is not enabled.
- Battery low.
As you can see, there are not many reasons why the phone does not see the Bluetooth headset. And they all lie in connected equipment. The fact is that on mobile devices (tablets, smartphones, etc.) there are practically no settings. You can only turn the Bluetooth adapter on or off and activate the discovery function.
What to do if your phone doesn’t see your Bluetooth headset: Video
How to connect a wireless headset
So, before moving on to the question of why the phone does not find the Bluetooth headset, you should figure out how to synchronize and connect. Typically, when you turn on the headphones for the first time, they will automatically activate the detection function. That is, for example, a smartphone or tablet can easily find new equipment available for connection.
But, if the headphones were previously paired with another smartphone, the pairing function on them is disabled. In such a case, you need to press and hold the Power button for about 10-15 seconds.
There can be no other reasons, since there are no settings. Moreover, all Bluetooth devices operate on the same frequency range, so there are no divisions by manufacturer. If you have a tablet, it may be useful to you.
How to connect Bluetooth headphones to a computer: Video
It can happen to every phone or smartphone that the device stops recognizing the headphones. It should be noted that replacing the headset does not always solve this problem. Our article will discuss exactly this: what to do if the phone “does not see” the headphones, and how to eliminate this unpleasant situation.
How to fix the problem
The first step is to connect and test the headset on your computer or laptop. If they work there, then it's a phone issue. Let's try to figure this out.
When deciding what to do if the phone “does not see” the headphones, it is worth considering that this accessory with a 3.5 mm jack is divided into 3 types:
- Mono with 2 contacts.
- Stereo, with three contacts.
- Stereo with headset (4 contacts).
And it happens that some devices, including smartphones, cannot recognize a three-pin headset.
So what to do if the phone “does not see” the headphones? You need to make sure that they are inserted correctly and completely into the phone, check that the connector is clean, or increase the sound volume. If all standard procedures do not help, then you will have to reset the factory settings and format the smartphone.
What to do if the phone “does not see” the headphones even after this? Only a specialist can resolve this situation. The wizard will either replace the firmware with a more modern version, or the connector channel where they are inserted.
Why doesn't the phone "see" some headphones? As mentioned above, the cause may be an unsuitable contact phase. And if this audio accessory does not work when connected to a phone, taking into account all the stated methods for solving the problem, then the problem lies in the manufacturer or brand. A headset from a certain manufacturer may not fit a certain brand of phone. They are simply not able to “get their act together.”
How to choose good headphones for your phone
Modern man does not imagine his daily life without music. To keep her close at all times, you need headphones. They should be compact and not cause inconvenience to their owner. And most importantly, they value high-quality sound.
The modern acoustics market offers hundreds and even thousands of headset options. Good headphones for your phone should be chosen just for you. According to your individual characteristics. For example, a person who runs and exercises will not take them with ears that are too large. A fan of playing computer games prefers headphones with a microphone, etc.
In any case, all phones are sold with a corresponding set of accessories. If they do not suit the buyer, he can replace them with more suitable ones. It all depends on the financial status of the music lover. Well-known, or so-called branded, headphones usually cost from 5 thousand Russian rubles. But it’s no secret that there are some for 50 thousand or even more.
Main characteristics and advantages of headphones “from five thousand and above”
The operating frequency range of high-quality and expensive headsets can reach up to 30,000 Hz! This means only one thing: the owner of such “ears” will receive excellent quality sound. They also stand out for their strong bass and cool design appearance, which will celebrate the creativity and style of its owner.
But in pursuit of the popularity of the model, the buyer in some cases does not pay attention to the cable. Depending on the model, it may be too thin and will easily get tangled, or rough and inconvenient, which is why, for example, it will not fit into your pocket at the right time. So the cable largely determines the durability of the entire headset.
Alternative ways to connect headphones to your phone
In order to connect headphones to a phone or smartphone, you do not need much knowledge in the field advanced technologies. Let's look at alternative ways to connect headphones:
- Connection In this case, the situation is very simple: turn on Bluetooth on your phone and click on search for Bluetooth devices. Don't forget to turn on your Bluetooth headphones! After the phone finds the headphones, you can start listening to music.
- Connecting USB headphones. The second option for how to connect headphones to your phone will suit the most advanced users, since you will definitely need a USB adapter. Only through it can a connection be made. Another unpleasant aspect of this type of connection is that almost all USB headphones require the installation of additional software.
There are quite a few reasons why the phone does not recognize the headphones. The problem may lie in an incorrectly selected Bluetooth protocol (bluetooth), a technically faulty connector, a phone firmware failure, or a completely different design. Problems with synchronization can sometimes be fixed on your own, but first you need to carry out simple diagnostics and determine where the problem lies.
Device diagnostics
Initially, the user wants to understand what to do next if the phone does not see the headset or headphones. You need to figure out which device to look for the problem in: headphones or phone. This must be done even if you plan to see a specialist later.
Carrying out diagnostics at the initial stage is quite simple.
- Connect potentially faulty headphones to any other device: player, computer, TV. If they function, then the problem is with the phone.
- Install other headphones into your mobile phone and check. If the accessory works normally, then the socket and contacts of the phone connector are working properly.
- If you have Bluetooth headphones, try connecting them to another Bluetooth device and see if pairing or discovery occurs.
Connecting headphones to the player
Device Compatibility
Among other reasons not related to software, one can highlight the problem of incompatibility of the accessory with gadgets. Technically headphone jack can be different:
- Mono connector with two contacts;
- three-pin stereo jack;
- stereo headset jack with four pins.
The phone does not see the incorrectly selected accessory, but such situations are rare. As a rule, modern technology has maximum potential, that is, it has 4 contacts with the ability to connect a headset.
There are designs where the contacts are “swapped”, which will also lead to the phone not seeing the headphones. It's simple here: many companies develop things like headphones, microphones or headsets exclusively for their products. This is economically beneficial, because the user will buy more products of the same brand, although forced.
iPhone 7 and Lightning headphones
Average companies, due to competition, do not take such measures; this is rather a privilege of the leading manufacturers in their industry.
Second point - goods low/unstable quality, as a rule, these are cheap Chinese (sometimes Taiwanese) headphones without a specific trademark. If a company does not monitor production and uses foreign technologies, then as a result the user receives products with unpredictable technical characteristics. In both this and the previous case, the accessory will work properly.
Technical problems with headphones
One of the most common problems is broken wire to one of the headphones. We can say that a protective function is triggered here, and the phone stops seeing the headphones or playing sound. The problem can be determined after a visual inspection, but a hidden fracture can only be determined using devices that operate on the principle of a multimeter.
Damaged headphone wire
Before breakdowns of this kind, one of the headphones may not work correctly:
- extraneous noises, wheezing;
- periodic loss of sound.
If you move the wires along their entire length, a sound may appear, which will indicate the location of the fracture. Repair in this case will be simple: open the insulation, restore the wiring, secure it with electrical tape or heat shrink.
The second most popular problem is plug contamination. It needs to be inspected and cleaned, then reconnect the headphones to the phone.
A headset or headphones, like any small equipment, can fail. In this case, the accessory will not function in any other devices. Naturally, connecting them to the phone several times is pointless; it will not recognize them.
Technical problems with your phone
If the diagnostics have determined that the headphones are working, but they cannot connect to the gadget, we look for a problem in the phone. Here is the most weakness – socket where the jack is inserted. Over time, it may become dirty; a more complex breakdown will be a broken wire. If excess debris and dust are easy to remove, then to restore contact you need to open the phone.
It is important to know! Warranty service is void if the device is opened without permission or by a third party. The best option is to take your phone to an authorized service.
In order to check the wires, you need to turn off the phone, remove the SIM cards, battery and all memory cards. Next, unscrew all the screws and use a flat screwdriver to pry off the plastic cover. If the socket is broken, it must be replaced. It is worth noting that an inexperienced technician can easily damage other components of fragile electronics, as a result of which repairs will become several times more expensive. It is not recommended to resort to independent repairs if it is possible to contact a specialist who will take responsibility.
Other problems include oxidation of the connector wires or short circuits. In the most difficult situations, the cause is a breakdown of the phone board.
Problems with wireless headphones
Modern and popular wireless accessories are convenient, but they are the ones that many users have the most difficulty with. They are connected using built-in Bluetooth modules.
First of all, you need to check again whether the module is activated, as well as the time it was active. Some wireless headphones or headsets may not connect to others after pairing with one device. You can start the operating mode by holding the power button for 5 - 10 seconds, after which the device will give a light signal. Next, synchronization should occur automatically, but it may need to be done manually. Sometimes, after holding down the power button, Bluetooth headphones may ask sync code, the default factory password is 0000.
It is important to know! Be sure to check the battery level. When discharged, the headset will not turn on, therefore, the phone will not be able to recognize them.
The second “software” problem, why the phone does not see the headphones, is outdated firmware version. This can happen regardless of the operating system, be it Android or iOS. You can update it in a workshop or yourself. If you do not have experience, it is better to trust a specialist.
Despite being less popular than Wi-Fi, Bluetooth technology is alive and well and continues to evolve. One day it may turn out that such a familiar channel for exchanging files between devices - via Bluetooth - will refuse to work.
Why did the Bluetooth module stop working?
The reasons for the Bluetooth module not working may be:
- physical shutdown of the module (disconnected, power is not supplied for other reasons);
- driver failure (damaged driver files, incorrect installation);
- the device in Windows is recognized as hidden;
- hardware failure (error in data exchange between a PC, laptop or tablet with other gadgets);
- other reasons, for example, viral activity and other “orphan” conditions Windows systems that interfere with its operation.
Bluetooth module unavailability
The reasons why the Bluetooth module suddenly appeared “offline” are as follows.
Checking device status in Windows 7/8/8.1/10/10.1
Windows Device Manager is a built-in OS application that monitors the correct operation of devices.
- Give the “Start” command - right-click on the “Computer” element (for Windows 10/10.1 - “This PC”) and open “Properties”.
Go to Device Manager Windows 7
- Select "Device Manager", find your non-working Bluetooth device. If it is disabled (down arrow icon), give the command: right-click on the device - “Enable”. If it is enabled, but does not work correctly (does not receive or send data between the PC and another device), give the “Disable” command, and then the “Enable” command.
In this example, it is not the Bluetooth module that is used, but an SD card reader
- If the device you need is not there, connect the Bluetooth module (or its cord) to another USB port. If you are using a tablet, change the OTG adapter or USB hub (if, for example, a keyboard and mouse are connected to the Bluetooth module at the same time). Repeat the previous steps as soon as the device appears in the list (usually it should turn on and work immediately, and not show up as unused).
You can also get to the Windows 10 Device Manager in five other ways: by searching for the word “Manager” in the Start menu; by the command “Start - Run” with launch using the phrase “devmgmt.msc”; by the command “Start - Control Panel - System - Device Manager”; by the command “This computer - Computer management - Device Manager”; right-click on “Start” and select the “Device Manager” menu item. As you can see, Windows 10/10.1 provides a much more impressive list of ways to open the Manage Connected Devices Wizard. Half of them have been known since Windows Me/2000.
Video: how to check Bluetooth operation
Update Bluetooth Drivers
Return to the familiar “Windows Device Manager” and do the following.
- Give your device the command: right click - “Update drivers”. The Driver Update/Reinstall Wizard will open.
Run the wizard for working with existing device drivers
- The most competent option is to find and reinstall the drivers manually. Insert a flash drive (or distribution CD/DVD with your programs, which also contains the driver version for your Bluetooth module) with the driver and select the manual method of searching for the driver.
Choose to manually search for drivers on your PC
- Select the location of the folder with the files of the driver you are looking for.
As an example - a custom folder on drive D:, not external media
- Confirm the driver reinstallation by clicking “OK” and “Next”. The system will reinstall the Bluetooth driver.
As an example - the same SD card reader, not Bluetooth
After the installation is complete, the system can both find the driver and indicate that it does not need to be reinstalled.
The device works fine and does not need to be reinstalled
If reinstalling the Bluetooth module as a device in Windows did not give anything, follow the instructions below.
But before you move on, do something different: give the problematic device the “Remove” command (and confirm the request by checking the option to remove drivers). It will need to be reconnected, after which the “Update drivers” command is given, and all the steps from this instruction are repeated. After removing the drivers, you may need to restart Windows.
Video: how to reinstall Bluetooth drivers
What to do if your device is hidden
First, open the already familiar Windows Device Manager and give the command “View - Show hidden devices.”
Windows 7 will show hidden and unconnected devices
If the Bluetooth module driver has not been installed (the device is not registered in Windows), the module itself will not appear in the list of hidden ones. The category of hidden devices assumes the presence of devices that were already installed and previously worked correctly.
If the Bluetooth module has been installed, follow the instructions above for (re)installing the Bluetooth module.
Enabling an unused Bluetooth device from the BIOS
BIOS control is useful when you have built-in Bluetooth adapters - typically in laptops and tablets.
Depending on the BIOS/UEFI version, the commands for Bluetooth are different
All commands have been translated into Russian and popularized.
Enabling the built-in Bluetooth adapter from the BIOS is key - without it you won't be able to do anything with Bluetooth. Therefore, it would be better to start by enabling wireless modules through the BIOS. Now you can perform any actions from the previous instructions.
Bluetooth adapters built into the motherboard are not installed in PC system units - the body of the system unit shields the Bluetooth signal from all sides, and the range of the module without an external antenna is greatly reduced. Therefore, for desktop computers, a USB module is The best decision. The same applies to the Wi-Fi adapter, 3G/4G modem, wireless keyboard, mouse, headphones, microphone and similar peripherals.
Hardware failures of Bluetooth modules
In addition to power problems, Bluetooth may fail in the following ways:
Bluetooth module overheating
The speed values for different versions of the Bluetooth radio interface are as follows.
- Bluetooth version 2.x uses data transfer rates of up to 1 Mbit/s. Thus, the Dial-Up Networking service, used with smartphones from Nokia, Siemens and other brands popular in the 2000s. and supporting 3G Internet, allows you to get speed mobile Internet up to 384 kbps. These values fully fit the transmission of high-quality stereo sound to headphones (the MP3 format supports a speed of 128–320 kbps). Nowadays it has been replaced by Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows you to distribute traffic (and files through a connection via a router) from one smartphone to several (point-to-multipoint mode) other gadgets and PCs at once at multi-megabit speeds.
- Starting with version 3.0, the speed of the Internet, communication via the local PAN network and file sharing via Bluetooth between devices has increased to 24 Mbit/s.
- Versions of Bluetooth 4.x, as already mentioned, use speeds of 75 and 100 Mbit/s, very close to bandwidth a regular cable LAN connection (Ethernet-100 standard).
Sometimes Bluetooth modules that have a range of 100 meters or more (using a power of 100 mW) overheat even in conditions of a very weak signal. Barriers to reliable Bluetooth communication include:
- shielded rooms and buildings;
- the distance between devices is too large (at the limit stated in the data sheet of Bluetooth modules and gadgets);
- neglect of directional antennas when establishing communications in the form of RRL line of sight, stretching for kilometers;
- poor coordination of external antennas and cables used in Bluetooth modules equipped with a microwave socket for connecting them;
- other factors.
Other causes of overheating of wireless devices (not just Bluetooth):
- Operation of wireless modules in the heat, launch of a Bluetooth module supercooled in multi-degree frost in northern conditions.
- Strong interference (dozens of Bluetooth modules are connected to one USB-Hub). Like any radio transmitters (as such), like any digital communication lines, these modules interfere with each other. It is recommended to place them as far away from each other as possible. It’s the same as placing the external antenna of a router that distributes the Internet via Wi-Fi, and the Yota 4G modem inserted into the same router, close to each other - the Internet speed will noticeably decrease, especially if it is available on a SIM card unlimited tariff with very high speed, despite the fact that the 4G tower will be significantly unloaded at the moment.
Failures when exchanging traffic between devices
So, you “drive” the Bluetooth module and gadgets to the brink of their maximum throughput. Failures during file and content sharing often occur when sending multi-gigabyte files. Cheap ones often fail Chinese smartphones and tablets, whose performance is not the best. Even if the Bluetooth module and/or the gadget itself are not overheated, stopping the transfer of content can take the user by surprise. Thus, sending a movie in (Ultra)HDTVRip format weighing tens of gigabytes from a laptop to a smartphone can get stuck, say, at some 74%.
Make sure the device will accept such a long file
The fact is that low-speed memory cards are very common - the writing speed on them is only 5–8 MB/s. Don't delude yourself by purchasing a 32 GB microSD card at a good price. If the Bluetooth module in the gadget has a high speed (100 Mbit/s) - and the speed of writing the received content to the SD card is noticeably lower (40–64 Mbit/s), then the transmitted data will not have time to be written to the flash memory. The gadget's RAM will overflow - first its overall performance will slow down, then the receiving gadget will glitch, other applications and processes will freeze, and eventually it will restart abnormally. In turn, the donor gadget or computer will report a failed file sending.
Developers of iOS, Android and Windows Phone/Mobile are struggling with this problem - any of these OS includes software control of high-speed streams in the form of a special system process or service. This allows you to automatically limit the data flow rate if the “receiving side” has problems with the speed of saving it to a file. This approach allows you to forget about annoying failures during content exchange, which were a nightmare for previous generations of wireless solutions.
Virus activity on PCs and gadgets
The essence of the problems that arise when there are viruses in Windows is that the virus clones some processes (system processes “explorer.exe”, “svchost.exe”, etc.), littering and overloading the performance of the PC/tablet.
Since each of the Windows processes consumes so many megahertz of processor performance from each of its cores and so many megabytes random access memory, a sharp increase in the number of these processes will lead to the fact that all available peripherals, including data exchange via Bluetooth, will significantly slow down in operation, since the lion's share of hardware resources is spent on what the user does not need.
Antivirus programs are not the only means of protection - it is worth adding to this list for completeness and maximum effectiveness:
So, for example, a list of useful programs that protect a PC or tablet from external intrusions could be like this:
- AdBlock+ plugin for browsers;
- cache proxy HandyCache (has its own web content filters);
- Windows 8 Firewall Control program (monitors programs and components that consume traffic and allows you to permanently remove unnecessary ones);
- free antivirus, such as Avast.
The tips below sum it all up.
- Place your modules and devices with Bluetooth in an area of reliable coverage in relation to each other.
- If you need to “upload” a long file, charge the gadget, or do not remove it from recharging until the file is transferred.
- Free up space on disks and memory cards in a timely manner unnecessary files, if the next file does not fit in the memory of the receiving PC or gadget.
- Do not use wireless data transmission in extreme weather, for example, if there is a risk of the gadget or laptop battery overcooling and turning it off.
- Do not disassemble the module during operation, do not disconnect cables (if any). First, end the data session between the devices.
Bluetooth shows no sign of losing ground. Version 5.0 will support content sharing speeds of up to hundreds of megabits. And restoring the operation of your suddenly failed Bluetooth device is actually not difficult.