problems connecting a new device via bluetooth

Question

Hi, I had a joystick that I used as a mouse on my PC via bluetooth. Friday I got a new joystick but for the life of me get it to connect to my PC that has Windows 11. I can connect the joystick to my cellphone and a tablet, but it will not connect to my PC desktop. I have checked for driver updates for the bluetooth. That was all good. I have turned bluetooth off and on, that didn't help. I shut the whole computer off and on . This is driving me nuts! Can I get some help please?

Answer 1

I have tried all the suggestions but it's still not working. I even tried pairing a friend's phone but it will not do it. This is a home so there are no true firewalls. What are some other options?

Answer 2

I have tried all the suggestions but it's still not working. I even tried pairing a friend's phone but it will not do it. This is a home so there are no true firewalls. What are some other options?

Answer 3

okay I will these suggestions in the morning, thanks! !

Answer 4

Hi,

What is the model of the joystick you are trying to use?

It connects via Bluetooth but it's not recognized as a controller?

Thanks

Answer 5

Try these steps on the Windows 11 PC, in this order:

1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
   • Open the Get Help app and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter. It will automatically check and fix common pairing issues.
   • If it doesn’t fix it, continue with the steps below.
2. Remove any old joystick entries and re‑add
   • Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices (or Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, depending on build).
   • Under Other devices or Mouse, keyboard, & pen, look for any existing entries for the old joystick or the new one.
   • Select each related entry and choose Remove device.
   • Turn the joystick off.
   • Turn it back on and put it explicitly into pairing mode (often requires holding a specific button for several seconds; confirm in the joystick manual).
   • In Bluetooth & devices, select Add device > Bluetooth, then select the joystick when it appears.
3. Power and range checks
   • Make sure the joystick is fully charged or has fresh batteries.
   • Keep the joystick close to the PC (within a few feet) and away from USB 3.0 devices or hubs that might cause interference.
4. Restart Bluetooth and Windows
   • In Settings > Bluetooth & devices, turn Bluetooth off, wait at least 10 seconds, then turn it back on and try pairing again.
   • If that still fails, restart the PC: Start > Power > Restart, then attempt pairing again.
5. Update Bluetooth drivers (again, but via Device Manager)
   • Select Search on the taskbar, type device manager, and open Device Manager.
   • Expand Bluetooth, right‑click the Bluetooth adapter (may include the word “radio”), and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
   • Complete the wizard and restart the PC if prompted, then try pairing again.
   • If no update is found and the problem persists, check the PC manufacturer’s support site for the latest Windows 11 Bluetooth driver and install it, then restart and test pairing.

If the joystick continues to pair successfully with the phone and tablet but not with the PC after these steps, the most common remaining causes are: a stale/hidden Bluetooth device entry on the PC, a driver that still needs to be updated from the PC manufacturer’s site, or the joystick not actually being in pairing mode when Windows is searching.

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References:

• Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows
• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows