Bluetooth Not Working on Android? Try These Fixes

Key Points

Some common Bluetooth connection problems in Android include difficulty connecting to other devices, dropped or lost connections, and unable to connect to other Android devices.
Basic solutions to fix your Bluetooth connection problem include connecting with another device, making sure both devices are close enough, and restarting both devices.
If the basic solutions do not work, you can try more advanced solutions such as clearing the Bluetooth app data or resetting the Bluetooth settings. You can also check for pending system updates or scan your phone for malware.

Is your Bluetooth not working on Android? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! As one of the most commonly used wireless technologies, and with Android being the most widely used mobile operating system in the world, this issue can impact a lot of people.

Fortunately, there are several easy fixes that you can try to get back up and running again in no time. This blog post will walk you through each step so that you’ll have all the information needed to troubleshoot and fix any issues with your Bluetooth connectivity on an Android device.

Reasons Why Your Android Bluetooth Not Working Properly

There are a few possible reasons why Android Bluetooth might not be working properly:

There may be problems with your Bluetooth app’s data files
Issues with Bluetooth settings
Viruses or malware that may have corrupted the Android Bluetooth app
Any third-party app that is interfering with your Bluetooth
Problems with Bluetooth hardware

Some Common Bluetooth Connectivity Issues

There are several Bluetooth connection problems in Android. These include:

Android devices are not able to discover other Bluetooth devices i.e. car accessories
Android devices pairing but not connecting
Bluetooth connections getting dropped or lost
Android devices unable to connect to other Android devices

Note: Some Android phones may have slightly different settings or options names. If you cannot locate the factory reset option in your device’s settings, please refer to the manufacturer’s manual or contact customer support.

Basic Solutions to Fix Your Bluetooth Connection Problem

Before applying more advanced solutions, you should first try some basic steps that can solve Android Bluetooth connection problems. Fortunately, there are several simple solutions that can help you if your Android Bluetooth not working properly.

1. First Try to Connect With Some Other Device

If you are having trouble connecting to a specific device, try to connect with another one instead. This will help you determine if your Android Bluetooth is in fact working correctly or if the issue is with the device to which you are trying to connect.

2. Check if There Is a Proper Distance Between the Two Devices

If your Android Bluetooth is having difficulty pairing with other devices, you may need to ensure that the two devices are close enough for a successful connection. You should check the distance recommended by the manufacturer and make sure both devices are within this range. Don’t bring the devices too close or too far away. The recommended distance between Android devices is usually around 1-10 meters.

3. Make Sure Your Phone Is Charged

If your phone battery is low (less than 15%), Bluetooth may not work properly. Make sure your Android device has enough battery life before attempting to connect via Bluetooth.

4. Turn Off and Then Turn On Bluetooth Connection

If you are having Android Bluetooth connection problems, turning off and then on the Android Bluetooth can often help. To turn off Android Bluetooth, swipe down to the notification area, and tap on the Bluetooth icon. Wait for a few seconds and then turn it back on.

Notification area on android phone home screen showing Bluetooth and many other options

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > More connections > Bluetooth. Here you can toggle off Bluetooth and then turn it on after a few seconds.

Settings menu showing Bluetooth settings option

Bluetooth menu showing the Bluetooth toggle button

5. Make the Other Device Discoverable

If your Android device is not able to find or connect to another Bluetooth device, you may need to make sure that the other device is discoverable. To do this, you should open its settings and then search for the ‘discoverability’ option. Once you have enabled it, your Android phone should be able to discover it properly.

Note: Smartphones with Android 11 and later versions may not have Bluetooth discoverability option as Android phones now automatically attempt to pair devices that are nearby.

6. Restart Both Devices

If you are facing difficulty connecting your Android phone Bluetooth with another phone or a laptop, try restarting both devices. Rebooting the phone often solves many problems, so it’s worth a try.

7. Unpair the Device and Paired It Again

If your Android phone is paired with the other Bluetooth device but the connection is getting dropped, you should unpair the device and then pair it again. To do this:

Go to Settings > More connections > Bluetooth.
Tap on the icon in front of the device name you want to unpair. Select Forget and then again select Forget Device.

Bluetooth menu showing paired devices and option to forget devices

After a minute, go back to the previous menu and tap Refresh. Your phone should start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices and will surely find your desired device. Tap on the other device name to pair with it again.

Bluetooth settings menu showing paired devices and refresh option

Advanced Solutions if Bluetooth Not Working On Android

If Bluetooth connection problems still persist even after trying all the basic solutions, you can try some of the more advanced solutions mentioned below:

8. Clear Bluetooth App Data

Sometimes, Android Bluetooth issues can be caused due to corrupted app data. To fix this issue, you need to clear the Bluetooth App Data. To do this:

Go to Settings > App management > App list. Tap three vertical dots at the top right corner and select Show system.

Bluetooth App and other apps are showing in the app list

Scroll down, find the Bluetooth app, and tap on it. Here, select Storage & cache and tap Clear storage. This will clear all the Bluetooth app data from your Android phone.

Bluetooth App showing the option to delete Bluetooth app data

9. Reset Bluetooth Settings

A bug in Bluetooth network settings can also cause Android Bluetooth connection issues. To fix this, you should reset your Android Bluetooth settings.

Go to Settings > System > Reset phone. Here, click on Reset Wi-Fi settings.

Reset phone menu is showing Bluetooth reset option if Android Bluetooth not working

If you are using dual SIM, the system will ask you to select the SIM you want to reset the Bluetooth settings. Select your desired SIM and tap Reset Settings.

Reset phone menu in android phone showing the confirmation to reset Bluetooth settings

This will reset your Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile data. Once done, your Android device should be able to connect to Bluetooth devices properly.

10. Check for Pending System Updates

It’s essential to keep the Android operating system updated in order to prevent any interruption in the normal working of system apps. So, make sure that your Android device is up-to-date.

Go to Settings > System > System update > Online Update. If any new Android updates are available, install them.

System menu showing system update and other items

11. Check if Any App Is Conflicting With Your Bluetooth

Although not common, Android Bluetooth issues can also be caused due to certain third-party Android apps. To check if any app is interfering with the normal functioning of Bluetooth, you need to perform the below-mentioned long process for each app on your phone:

Open Settings > App management > App list. In the app’s list, disable the first app and reboot your phone. Now enable Bluetooth and check if it is working fine and connecting to other devices. If the Bluetooth is working without connection or pairing issues, it means that the app you disabled was the culprit. If the Bluetooth is still having issues, again go to the app’s list and disable the second app. Repeat this process until you find the offending app.

Once you have found the conflicting Android app, you can either clear its app data or reinstall it. If the problem persists, contact the app developer and ask him to remove any bug that is interfering with the Bluetooth app. You can find the email of the app developer from the download page of the app in the App Store.

12. Scan Your Phone for Malware

Android Bluetooth issues can also be caused due to malware or virus present on your Android device. So, it’s important to run a full phone scan and remove any malicious files from your Android phone. Most of the latest Android phones come pre-installed with an antivirus app. But if your phone doesn’t have one, you can install any reliable antivirus app from the App Store.

13. Factory Reset Your Phone

If none of the above-mentioned solutions works for you, then you should try to factory reset your Android phone. Factory reset will restore your Android device back to its original state and will fix any Android Bluetooth issues caused due to software bugs.