How to Troubleshoot Bluetooth Connection Problems
Bluetooth technology has enabled our electronic devices to communicate with each other for over 20 years. However, Bluetooth connections between devices can still fail or create all sorts of problems when you try to set them up. Here are some troubleshooting methods to try when pairing Bluetooth-enabled devices is inconvenient for you.
Check your range
If you’re having trouble pairing two Bluetooth devices, you’ll first need to make sure they are within a reasonable range of each other – about 30 feet or less should help. While Bluetooth signals can indeed pass through solid objects such as walls and ceilings, these obstacles can also reduce their effective range.
Bluetooth antennas transmit data by sending and receiving radio waves to each other. To avoid interfering with other devices that transmit on the same part of the radio frequency and to reduce the drain on the battery, Bluetooth devices have low power consumption. This means that Bluetooth signals cannot reach stronger Wi-Fi signals or commercial radio signal outputs.
Reset both devices
Turning something off and back on has become a bit of a joke in the tech world, but it can actually help you reestablish your Bluetooth connection. Try to turn off and then turn on the Bluetooth function on the transmitting device (computer, tablet, phone, etc.) and put the receiving device (keyboard, speaker, mouse, etc.) into pairing mode, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This may prompt your device to reconnect.
If that doesn’t work, try turning off the sending and receiving devices. Then turn on the sending device again, wait for a complete reboot, then turn on the receiving device and try to pair.
Make sure bluetooth is on
Okay, we know it sounds almost as silly as “turn it off and then on again,” but sometimes when devices go into hibernation mode, such as when your phone runs out of battery power, the Bluetooth antenna may turn off. Also keep in mind that Bluetooth turns off when you turn on airplane mode.
And speaking of low battery, you should also make sure that the device you are trying to pair with has a good charge in order for its antenna to work at full power.
Check pairing
Many Bluetooth devices, such as speakers, automatically enter pairing mode when turned on and connect to the last paired device if it is within range. While this is convenient, it can also be a little frustrating if you say you want to stream audio to a Bluetooth speaker from your tablet, but the speaker itself continues to automatically connect to your phone.
To fix this problem, turn off Bluetooth on the transmitting device you do not want to use, and then reconnect the receiving device to the correct transmitting device. Alternatively, you can activate Bluetooth pairing mode on the receiving device (for example, long press Bluetooth or the power button on the speaker) and then try to connect again.
Some Bluetooth devices will require you to enter a pairing code or accept a pairing request on one of your devices. For example, many Bluetooth keyboards require a specific code to pair with a tablet or computer. If pairing the two devices seems too long, be sure to check your device’s screen to see if it asks for permission or a code to complete the pairing process.
Check for interference
Many other devices operate in the same low frequency range that Bluetooth signals are transmitted. Baby monitors, cordless phones, microwave ovens, and even some lighting devices can send and receive signals on the same 2.4 GHz radio frequency. If your Bluetooth connection is not working, try moving away from these objects.
Wi-Fi signals in the 2.4 GHz band can interfere with Bluetooth, so if you are having trouble connecting, try turning off the Wi-Fi function on the transmitting device and try pairing again, or enter another room that is not as full. other devices that block the 2.4 GHz band. You can also try connecting more devices to your router’s 5GHz network if they are compatible, or try changing your router’s 2.4GHz network channel .
The human body can also interfere with Bluetooth signals, as signal transmission hardly travels through the main human ingredient: water. Therefore, if you are using a pair of wireless headphones and your signal is constantly dropping, be aware of the position of your body in relation to the transmitting device.
Delete device
After pairing with a Bluetooth device on most computers, tablets, and phones, your sending device will try to connect automatically when the receiving device is present. But if your devices refuse to connect, it’s a good idea to remove the receiving device and start over.
You can do this by going into your device’s Bluetooth settings, searching for the problem receiving device, and deleting it. Then put the device back into pairing mode, ask the other device to scan for available Bluetooth connections and re-pair.
Check with the manufacturer
Sometimes, manufacturers of Bluetooth devices post updates to their websites about known Bluetooth pairing issues, along with specific steps to fix them. Or, they might post information that will tell you if there are known compatibility issues between devices, so you at least stop feeling like you’re doing something wrong when you try to pair that just might not work.
Also, some devices, such as Bose portable speakers or your car dashboard, will receive software updates periodically, so it’s a good idea to check if your device needs them. And on some computers, especially PCs, the Bluetooth antenna driver may become out of date, especially when new operating systems are installed. Follow the instructions for your specific machine to check and update drivers if necessary.
If you are on Mac
If you have a Mac and have tried some of the above steps but still have connection problems, you may need to reset your computer’s Bluetooth. To do this, hold down the Shift and Option keys while clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. (If it’s not there, look for Bluetooth under System Preferences and check the box next to Show Bluetooth in Menu Bar.)
After you click on the symbol, you will see the Debug option. Hover over it and click Reset Bluetooth Module. Once complete, restart your Mac and try to restore your devices.
If you are on PC
In addition to checking that the Bluetooth drivers are up to date, computers also allow you to run the Bluetooth troubleshooter. To activate it in Windows 10, click the Start button> Settings> Update & Security> Troubleshoot . Select “Bluetooth” under “Find and fix other problems” and run the program. The program guides you through the steps that might solve your problem.
Try other devices
If you’ve followed all of the above steps and the problem persists, your device may be malfunctioning. To check if this is the case, try different pairing combinations with different devices.
For example, if you have a Bluetooth speaker that won’t connect to your tablet, try connecting the speaker to a device such as a phone or computer. If that works, then the problem is with your tablet. If the speaker refuses to connect to anything else, you will know that it is most likely defective and you should contact the manufacturer for an exchange or refund.