Windows 11 has introduced several exciting features and improvements, and one such feature is Nearby Sharing. With Nearby Sharing, users can effortlessly share files, links, and more with nearby devices, making collaboration and content sharing a breeze. However, as with any technology, there can be occasional hiccups, and you may find that Nearby Sharing isn’t working as expected on your Windows 11 system.
If you’ve been facing issues with Nearby Sharing on Windows 11, fear not! In this blog post, we will explore some common problems and provide you with practical solutions to get Nearby Sharing up and running smoothly again. Whether you’re unable to see nearby devices, encountering connection errors, or experiencing other difficulties, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fix the nearby sharing not working issue on Windows 11.
What is Nearby Sharing on Windows?
Nearby Sharing is a wireless file-sharing feature present in Windows operating systems, including Windows 11. The feature uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct technologies to establish a connection between devices that are close to each other, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
With Nearby Sharing, users can seamlessly share various types of content, including documents, images, videos, and links with nearby Windows devices such as PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. This feature streamlines the process of sharing content, making collaboration and transfer of data more straightforward and efficient.
Also read: How To Transfer Files Using Nearby Sharing On Windows 10/11
Nearby Sharing Not Working on Windows 11? Try These Solutions!
Let’s dive in and troubleshoot those pesky issues for seamless file sharing between devices.
Solution 1: Review Nearby Sharing Settings
To manually configure the nearby sharing settings on Windows, follow these steps:
Tap on the search icon placed on the Taskbar and type “Nearby Sharing”. Hit Enter.
In the Nearby Sharing settings window, enable the “Everyone nearby” option in case it is disabled by default.
Exit the Settings app and check if the issue was resolved.
Solution 2: Place Devices in Close Proximity
Nearby Sharing leverages the capabilities of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are technologies designed for short-range communication. Hence, it’s important to note that if the Windows devices are located far apart, typically beyond a range of 20 feet or more, establishing and sustaining a connection for Nearby Sharing can become challenging.
To ensure seamless functionality, it is recommended to bring the two devices closer together. For instance, if you are in a spacious room, it is essential to have both devices present within the same room to optimize the performance of Nearby Sharing.
Also read: How To Fix ‘We Need To Fix Your Account’ Error On Windows 11/10 PC
Solution 3: Connect Devices to the Same WiFi Network
Nearby Sharing utilizes a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct technologies to establish a direct connection between the devices, regardless of their network configurations. Hence, you need to ensure that both devices are connected to a common WiFi network.
Tap on the WiFi icon placed on the Taskbar and make the necessary adjustments.
Solution 4: Check the BLE Compatibility
To check Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) compatibility for devices on Device Manager, follow these steps:
1. Open Device Manager by pressing the Win+ X key combination on your keyboard and selecting “Device Manager” from the context menu.
2. Select “Bluetooth” to display the list of Bluetooth devices and adapters installed on your system. Right-click on the Bluetooth device or adapter and select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, switch to the “Details” tab. Tap on the “Device Description” drop-down menu and look for “Bluetooth radio supports low energy Central Role”.
4. Tap on it and check if the value is displayed as “True”.
If it shows as “True”, it means that the device supports BLE compatibility.
Also read: How to Download and Update Microsoft Bluetooth Driver
Solution 5: Enable Bluetooth Service
To enable Bluetooth Support Service on Windows, you can follow these steps:
1. Press the Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, type “services.msc” and hit Enter.
2. In the Services window, scroll down and locate the “Bluetooth Support Service” in the list of services.
3. Right-click on “Bluetooth Support Service” and select “Properties” from the context menu.
4. Under the General tab, you’ll find the “Startup type” section. Make sure the startup type is set to “Automatic.” If it is not, click on the drop-down menu and select “Automatic.”
5. If the service is not running, click on the “Start” button in the Properties window to start the service. If it is already running, you can click on the “Stop” button and then click on the “Start” button to restart it.
6. Hit on the “Apply” button and then click on “OK” to save the changes.
7. Close the Services window.
After following these steps, the Bluetooth Support Service should be enabled on your Windows system. This will ensure that the necessary Bluetooth functionality is active and available for use.
Also read: How To Fix Unknown Bluetooth device error in Windows 11/10
Solution 6: Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Yes, you can also use the built-in Bluetooth troubleshooter to fix the nearby sharing not working issue. Follow these steps to get started:
1. Open the Settings app and switch to the “System” category.
2. Select the “Troubleshoot” option and then tap on the”Other troubleshooters” option.
3. Look for the “Bluetooth” troubleshooter in the list.
4. Click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button to start the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
5. Windows will now scan for any issues related to Bluetooth connectivity and attempt to resolve them. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the troubleshooter.
If any problems are detected, the troubleshooter will provide possible solutions or fixes. Follow the recommended steps to resolve the Bluetooth issues. The Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 11 can help identify and fix common Bluetooth connectivity problems.
Solution 7: Rollback Windows Update
If you are experiencing issues with Nearby Sharing and wish to roll back a Windows 11 update, follow these general steps:
1. Press the Win + I on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings and switch to the “Windows Update” section from the left-hand sidebar.
2. Under the Windows Update section, tap on the “update history” link.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select “Uninstall Updates”.
4. Look for the most recent Windows 11 update that you want to roll back. Hit on the “Uninstall” option placed next to it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
5. Restart your computer after the update has been uninstalled.
After following these steps, Windows 11 should revert to the previous version before the update.
Conclusion
If you’ve been encountering the nearby sharing not working issue on your Windows 11 system, don’t fret. In this blog post, we explored some common issues and provided simple solutions to help you get Nearby Sharing up and running smoothly again.
By utilizing these solutions and troubleshooting steps, you can regain the full benefits of Nearby Sharing, streamlining collaboration, and content transfer between your Windows devices.
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