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Nearby Share Not Working on Windows 11? How to Fix it
Check for Bluetooth compatibility for Nearby Sharing
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Have you tried to send photos and files to someone via Nearby Sharing in Windows 11? How did that work out for you? Windows Nearby Sharing is a very handy feature for those who want to transfer pictures, music (MP3), videos and more from their PC to other Windows devices.
Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t always perform its functions as expected and you may run into some hurdles at times. You can choose to troubleshoot the issue or explore otherWi-Fi file transfer software.
Why is my Nearby Sharing not working?
The most likely causes of this are:
How can I fix Nearby Sharing if it’s not working in Windows 11?
If you’re having trouble with Nearby Sharing, here are some things to try before any serious troubleshooting:
If all these check out but you are still stuck, here are more advanced troubleshooting options.
1. Check Bluetooth compatibility
Your PC’s hardware may not support Nearby Sharing because it doesn’t have Low Energy support or enough processing power to handle sharing files over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections.
If your computer doesn’t have Bluetooth LE support or it has older versions of Bluetooth LE installed, the value will turn up as and you won’t be able to use this feature. You may have toupgrade to another Bluetooth adapterto use this feature.
2. Update Bluetooth driver
If you want to make sure that you choose the right driver, then we recommend a professional tool like Outbyte Driver Updater. It scans your device and automatically updates not only your Bluetooth driver but all the outdated or missing drivers as well.
Outbyte Driver Updater
3. Update Your Network adapter drivers
4. Free up memory
If your device has low memory, it might not be able to share content over the internet. To free up memory, close any apps or tabs that are running in the background.
You can use the Task Manager to see which programs are using the most memory and close them if they aren’t needed. If more RAM is needed,RAM cleaners and optimizerswill come in handy too.
5. Restart the Bluetooth support service
6. Reset your network
7. Update your version of Windows
If you’re running an older version of Windows that’s no longer supported by Microsoft, then there’s a chance that this could be causing issues with Nearby Sharing.
It’s time to upgrade. The easiest way is to visitMicrosoft’s download pageand follow the instructions there.
Hopefully one of these solutions have enabled you to transfer files again using the Nearby Sharing feature if it was not working.
Should you find that thefile transfer process is tooslowfor your liking, we also have a few tips to help you bypass this issue.
If you would like totransfer files from Android/iOS to Windows devices,we have compiled a list of apps you’ll find useful.
Let’s interact more in the comment section as you let us in on what solution worked for you.
More about the topics:file sharing,Windows 11
Claire Moraa
Windows Software Expert
Claire has a knack for solving problems and improving the quality of life for those around her. She’s driven by rationality, curiosity, and simplicity, and always eager to learn more about Microsoft’s products. With a background in teaching and reviewing, she breaks down complex topics into easily understandable articles, focusing mostly on Windows 11, errors, and software.
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Claire Moraa
Windows Software Expert
With a background in teaching and reviewing, she breaks down complex topics into easily understandable articles, focusing mostly on Windows 11 errors.
