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Add device not working on PC

Jared Martin 20 Reputation points
2025-08-09T01:21:48.2833333+00:00

Hello,

I cannot add a device to my computer.
If I press "Add a device" from the bluetooth screen, it closes the window.
If I go to devices and printers and try to press add a device, it tries to open a window that immediately crashes.
If I type devicepairingwizard in the start search bar, it tries to open a window that immediately crashes.

In particular, I'm trying to pair a device over bluetooth.
I've downloaded and updated drivers twice, restarting PC both times.
I've uninstalled the bluetooth device, restarted, same thing.
I've tried NOT using the manufacturer drivers, just using default ones from windows, same issue.
I've checked windows update, nothing.
I've checked event logs for system, and it just shows 10016 which is a "normal" code according to my search.
I've even used a completely different dongle (5.0 vs 5.4) and both did the same thing, using OEM and Windows drivers on both after restarts.

Whenever I run troubleshooter, it just says "Check Bluetooth Radio Status: Fixed" and asks me to try again, still having the same issue.
I've tried opening the "Add device" menu WITHOUT the bluetooth dongle even plugged in, same issue.

Other people a couple years ago were talking about windows updates causing this but I don't know about nowadays?
Seems to be a software issue of some flavor.
I checked through systems and made sure all 3 bluetooth processes were running, still same issue.
Google and forum crawling has been less than useful.

EDIT: checked it on another PC (my brother's, running identical specs except his has a 4070 Ti and mine has a 4080 SUPER, also we run different monitors) and it worked COMPLETELY FINE with the SAME DONGLE. Not a hardware issue.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers
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Accepted answer
  1. Gunasekar N 27,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-11T06:53:20.62+00:00

    Hello, if this is the situation, we can try other options -

    1. Click Windows + R key, type services.msc and click ok.
    2. Locate Device Association Service > make sure the service is running and set the startup type to Automatic.
    3. If the service is already running, restart the service.

    If the issue persists, open a PowerShell (Administrator) Window and execute the command below.

    Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"}

    This command can help repair the Windows Shell Experience Host by re-registering all built-in Windows apps, including ShellExperienceHost.exe, which I believe is corrupted. This command might take a few minutes, depending on the system performance and apps installed.

    Let me know how it goes.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Gunasekar N 27,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-09T02:34:37.4633333+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    Since you've already ruled out the dongle, Bluetooth services, and driver issues, it is possible that Windows components responsible for device pairing might be corrupted. You can try these methods one by one to see if they resolve the issue.

    1. System File Checker Utility scan.
    • Open Command Prompt (Administrator) Window and run these commands one by one. 
    sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    • Each command takes a few minutes to complete.
    • Restart your computer and add your devices.

    2. Perform an in-place upgrade method.

    • Download the Media Creation Tool (MCT) from the link below.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    • Then, run the tool > Select Create installation media for another PC > Check the recommended options check box > Select ISO file and save it to your local drive.
    • Once the ISO file is downloaded, Mount the ISO and run the setup.exe file to begin the upgrade.
    • Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the repair upgrade process.

    Note: Your files, apps, and settings will be preserved during the upgrade.

    Let me know if you still need more help.

  2. Gunasekar N 27,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-09T04:12:37.92+00:00

    Hello, may I please know the make and model of your device?
    Type msinfo in the search bar on the taskbar and click Enter.

    Post a screenshot of the resulting dialog box.

    The, open Device manager.

    Expand the arrow nex to Bluetooth and share the screenshot of the lists of drivers installed.

  3. Carl Bid 0 Reputation points
    2025-08-09T09:32:01.32+00:00

    Sounds like something in Windows’ Bluetooth stack is corrupted. I’d try running sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth again, then completely remove any Bluetooth entries from Device Manager (show hidden devices), reboot, and let Windows reinstall fresh. There’s also a related discussion here that might help: Bluetooth add device window not opening.

  4. Gunasekar N 27,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-10T06:58:52.59+00:00

    Hello,

    Could you please uninstall the Realtek 5.4 driver from your Device Manager -

    • Select "Uninstall device, select the Attempt to remove the driver for this device check box, and then select Uninstall. "
    • Once uninstalled, restart your computer.

    Then, install the driver Realtek RTL8761B family - PRO B650-P WIFI (BT5.0 Driver)

    https://gist.github.com/peteristhegreat/b48da772167f86f43decbd34edbd0849

    Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.'

    Let me know how it goes.

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