Cannot connect Android phone

Question

Hello there

I am hoping someone might help, I had to change my password and start using a Passkey, which I have set up. Its working fine on the laptop but no matter what I do I cannot get my phone to link.. No available sign-in for link to Windows is all I am getting.

Answer 1

Follow these steps to get the Android phone linking again after changing the password and starting to use a passkey.

1. Verify basic connection and account status
   • Make sure the PC and Android device are:
     • Turned on and near each other.
     • Connected to the internet and preferably the same Wi‑Fi network.
   • On Android, confirm that Link to Windows is signed in with the same Microsoft account that is used with the passkey on the laptop.
2. Fix common connection errors On the Android device:
   1. Ensure the device is turned on.
   2. Turn Battery Saver off.
   3. Turn Airplane mode off.
   4. Confirm the phone and PC are on the same network or Wi‑Fi.
   5. Confirm sign‑in to Link to Windows with the same Microsoft account as on the PC.
   On the PC:
   1. Confirm the PC is connected to the internet.
   2. Turn Battery Saver off.
   3. Check system account status:
      • Go to Settings > System > Shared experiences.
      • If there is an account issue, select Fix now and complete the steps.
3. Disable battery optimization for Link to Windows (if applicable) Battery optimization can block background connectivity and cause “no available sign‑in” or connection errors. Option A (some Android devices):
   1. Open Android Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Link to Windows.
   2. Go to Advanced > Battery > Manage Battery Usage > Battery optimization.
   3. Scroll to Link to Windows and select Don’t optimize.
   Option B (other Android devices):
   1. Open Android Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery > Optimize battery usage.
   2. Choose All from the drop‑down list.
   3. Find Link to Windows and turn the toggle Off.
4. Unlink and relink the phone after the password/passkey change Because the account credentials changed, fully unlinking and re‑pairing often resolves sign‑in availability problems. On Android:
   1. Update Link to Windows to the latest version from the app store.
   2. Open Link to Windows.
   3. Tap the Microsoft account name under Linked account.
   4. Go to Account Settings > Sign out and unlink account.
   5. Confirm by tapping Unlink when prompted.
   On the PC:
   1. Open Phone Link.
   2. Go to Settings > Devices.
   3. Select Add new device.
   4. Follow the on‑screen steps to pair the Android device again (QR code or code‑based pairing as prompted).
5. If it still fails
   • After completing the unlink/relink steps, restart the Phone Link app on the PC and try pairing again.
   • If the QR‑code or pairing flow does not appear or continues to fail, follow the setup troubleshooting guidance and, if needed, the broader Phone Link troubleshooting page referenced in the documentation.

These steps align Phone Link, Link to Windows, and the updated Microsoft account (password/passkey) so the Android device can sign in and connect again.

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References:

• Troubleshooting the Phone Link
• Troubleshooting setup for the Phone Link
• Troubleshoot Apps in the Phone Link