Phone Link doesn't recognize that PC has Bluetooth

Bruce-6287 20 Reputation points
2025-12-20T20:56:20.2266667+00:00

I use Phone Link to check texts. It also has a menu prompt for calls, but when I click on that it says that feature doesn't work with my PC as it requires bluetooth.

But I have a Windows 10 desktop, with a bluetooth keyboard & mouse.

I'm literally replying to texts on Phone Link using my Bluetooth connected keyboard.

See screenshots below.

Any ideas why Phone Link doesn't know the computer it's on has bluetooth?

both pics

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Connect Phone and PC
0 comments No comments

Answer accepted by question author

Alex-L 10,190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2025-12-21T15:04:30.1366667+00:00

Hi Bruce

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Forum!

Don’t worry, this is a common misunderstanding. Even though you are using a wireless keyboard/mouse, your PC almost certainly does not have Bluetooth in the way Phone Link needs for calling.

In your screenshot, Windows shows the keyboard/mouse under:

Mouse, keyboard & pen → USB Receiver

That means your wireless keyboard/mouse use a 2.4 GHz wireless USB dongle, not Bluetooth.

So Phone Link is correct, your PC doesn’t actually have Bluetooth hardware. Your input devices only look wireless because the dongle handles the radio connection, not Windows.

Here's how to check if your PC supports Bluetooth in the first place.

  1. Search Device Manager in the Windows Search bar
  2. Open Device Manager
  3. Look for a category called Bluetooth

If it’s not there → the PC has no Bluetooth adapter.

You will need a USB Bluetooth dongle that supports HFP plugged to your PC so that it can support Bluetooth connection.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any further info!


If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments

0 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.