How to connect bluetooth speaker

Question

I have been using an Ankor bluetooth speaker for several (?) years and all of a sudden my laptop has stopped being able to pair or connect . I have been unable to solve the issue on my own. Can you help please? Thank you, Helen McKinley

Answer 1

Hi,

Have you tried connecting your speaker to a different device? Does it connect successfully?

Make sure your speaker is fully charged and in pairing mode. Check the manual if you’re unsure how to enter pairing mode.

On your laptop, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Click Add device > Bluetooth, then select your speaker from the list. If it doesn’t appear, turn Bluetooth off and back on, or restart your laptop and try again.

If it still won’t pair, remove any old pairing records for the speaker by going to Devices > Your speaker > Remove device, then try pairing again.

Also, make sure your Bluetooth driver is up to date:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

Expand the Bluetooth section.

Right-click your Bluetooth adapter and choose Uninstall Device.

Check the box for Delete driver software for this device if prompted.

Look under Bluetooth or Other devices for any previously connected Anker Bluetooth speaker entries. Right-click each one and select Uninstall.

Restart your computer and then try pairing the speaker again.

Check that Windows Audio services are running:

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and ensure Bluetooth Support Service and Windows Audio are running. Restart them if needed.

Answer 2

Follow these steps on Windows 11 to fix the issue and reconnect the Anker Bluetooth speaker:

1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
   1. Open the Get Help app using the Bluetooth troubleshooter link: Run the troubleshooter in Get Help.
   2. Let it run and apply any fixes it suggests.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is on and the speaker is in pairing mode
   1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
   2. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is turned On.
   3. Put the Anker speaker into pairing mode (usually by holding the Bluetooth button on the speaker until a light flashes; if unsure, check the speaker’s manual or manufacturer’s site).
   4. Move the speaker close to the laptop and ensure it is charged or connected to power.
3. Remove the existing entry and re‑add the speaker
   1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find the Anker speaker in the list.
   2. Select More options (…) next to it and choose Remove device.
   3. Confirm removal.
   4. Select Add device, choose Bluetooth, then select the Anker speaker when it appears and complete pairing.
4. Turn Bluetooth off and back on
   1. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices, turn Bluetooth Off.
   2. Wait at least 10 seconds.
   3. Turn Bluetooth On again.
   4. Try pairing the speaker again.
5. Check Windows Update and restart
   1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
   3. After updates (or if none are found), select Start > Power > Restart.
   4. After restart, repeat the pairing steps above.

If the speaker still does not connect after these steps, verify on another device (such as a phone) that the speaker can still pair; if it cannot, the issue may be with the speaker hardware or its internal Bluetooth module.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Use a screen reader to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows
• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound issue on Windows