Windows 10: My laptop supports Bluetooth but will not connect to any audio devices

I've been trying to connect my Bluetooth earbuds to my laptop but it doesn't show up when I press "Add Bluetooth or other device" then "Bluetooth". In Device Manager, it shows Bluetooth so I know my laptop has Bluetooth, but it just doesn't wanna connect to my earbuds or speakers.My laptop model is Aspire E5-523 from late 2015 if that helps.Can you even use Bluetooth with Windows 10 Home Edition?

:)

 

Cannot connect to Bluetooth audio devices (only) under 21H1.

I had no problem connecting Bluetooth audio devices while running Windows version 20H2, and had 3 different audio devices paired and working normally. Upon upgrading to the latest Windows 10 version (21H1, 19043.1348), they can no longer connect.

There's nothing wrong with the devices. My 2nd system is running 20H2 and is connecting fine with them.

On my primary system running 21H1, I go to the Bluetooth settings screen, see my paired devices in the list. I turn on a Bluetooth audio device... and nothing happens. Previously the laptop would auto-detect the audio device and I'd be good to go. So I select the paired audio device in the list, see the option button to "CONNECT" and press it. IMMEDIATELY, I'm given this message: "That didn't work. Make sure your bluetooth device is discoverable." It's obvious it's not even trying. It's an instant response. On my 20H2 laptop, when I try to manually connect to a Bluetooth audio device that's not turned on, it takes about 20 seconds or so until the "didn't work" message to appear. It's clearly trying.

NOTE: I have a mouse device connected via Bluetooth and it's working perfectly fine. It's only audio devices that fail.

Another vexing related issue -- if I try to remove any of my Bluetooth audio devices from the paired list, I get a "Remove Failed" message and nothing happens.

Troubleshooting: Went to Devices --> Bluetooth. Did a View of hidden devices... and yes, there were duplicates of these devices listed. I deleted all of them. I rebooted and while they are absent from the Devices list, they're still showing up in the Bluetooth interface and behaving as before. I ran the Bluetooth troubleshooter that claimed to find a problem and fixed it, but rebooting showed that not to be the case.

Either something appears to be wrong with 21H1, or I have some screwy configuration conflict going on.. I've got Realtek Bluetooth hardware. I have uninstalled Bluetooth and reinstalled the Realtek drivers. No help. Upgrading to 21H1 was long and tedious--I don't want to roll back to 20H2. Is there anything I can try to fix this?

Thanks!

 

Audio on connected Bluetooth devices


I'm having a weird problem that I can't figure out and it's driving me nuts.

All that I'm attempting to do is to listen to the podcasts that I have on my Android smart phone through the speakers on my computer via Bluetooth. This worked in Win 8, but since upgrading to 10 I'm encountering a problem.

The computer will pair with the phone with no issues. It will also connect with the device via Bluetooth, no issues there either. But I can't make it pull the audio from the phone. When connected, the audio still plays through the phone, and not the computer.

I've poked around audio settings, and can't find anything. I installed drivers specific to the phone, that did not work. I also went to Dell's site and installed Bluetooth drivers that are specific to my computer. No change.

Any suggestions?

 

Bluetooth Audio Devices are not connecting in lenovo laptop

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are unable to connect a Bluetooth audio device to your computer. I’ll certainly assist you with the issue.



However, please let us know:

• May I know the audio device that you are attempting to connect?
  
• Are you able to connect any other Bluetooth device to the computer?
  
• Are you aware of any changes made to the computer prior to this issue?
  
• What is the complete model number of the computer that you are using?
  

• Which build version of Windows 10 is installed on the computer? Refer
  Which version of Windows operating system am I running?
  

I would suggest you to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article
Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10 and see if that helps.



You may also want to check the settings mentioned below:

1. Press Windows + I key to open
   Setting. Select Devices.
   
2. Click on Bluetooth & other devices. Toggle the switch to turn on the
   Bluetooth.
   
3. Now click on More Bluetooth options
   link from the right pane.
   
4. Press Windows + X key and select
   Device Manager from the context menu.
   
5. Spot and expand the “Bluetooth”. Right click on the driver and select
   “Properties”
   
6. Now select Power Management tab. Then
   uncheck the box beside “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
   
7. Now go to the Bluetooth Settings window opened in
   step 3. Select Options tab
   
8. Check the box beside Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC. Click
   OK
   
9. Now check if you are able to detect and add the controller
   

Let us know the results, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator