PHONE LINK STILL WONT CONNECT

VICKI COY 20 Reputation points
2026-08-22T21:58:54+00:00

THIS IS SATURDAY. FRIDAY, MS INFORMED ME THERE WAS A TECHNICAL ISSUE WORLDWIDE AFFECTING PHONE LINK. THEY SAID TO GIVE IT 24 HOURS. IT HAS BEEN OVER 24 HOURS AND MY PHONE LINK STILL WONT CONNECT TO MY LAPTOP. HELP PLEASE?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Connect Phone and PC
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Answer accepted by question author
Vikki-T 10,185 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-08-23T03:12:03+00:00

Hi VICKI COY,

I understand how frustrating it is that Phone Link still will not connect after you waited beyond the timeframe provided.

As a Volunteer Moderator mentioned in another thread, multiple users have reported similar Phone Link behavior, which suggests this may be a widespread service or authentication issue rather than something specific to your PC or phone. In that situation, repeating repair, reset, or reinstallation steps may not resolve the issue.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. My role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

I recommend reporting the issue through Feedback Hub by pressing Windows key + F, then selecting Report a problem. Please include the exact error or connection status and when the issue started. You can also search for an existing Phone Link report and upvote it or add your experience. Avoid including personal information in the report or attached screenshots.

Official instructions: Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app Thank you so much for your understanding.   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-22T21:59:12.29+00:00

    Try this in order:

    1. Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
      • On Android: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi and verify it shows Connected.
      • On the PC: Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and verify it is connected to the exact same network.
      • If there are separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, connect both devices to the same one.
    2. Check the basic connection requirements.
      • On Android, make sure Battery Saver is Off and Airplane mode is Off.
      • On the PC, make sure Battery Saver is Off and the PC is connected to the internet.
      • Verify the same Microsoft account is signed in on Phone Link and Link to Windows.
    3. Turn off battery optimization for Link to Windows on Android.
      • Go to Android Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Link to Windows > Advanced > Battery > Manage Battery Usage > Battery optimization.
      • Find Link to Windows and select Don't optimize.
      • On some devices: Android Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery > Optimize battery usage > All > Link to Windows > Off.
    4. Check Windows settings that can block Phone Link.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Background apps and make sure Phone Link can run in the background.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Shared experiences. If Fix now appears under Accounts, select it and complete the prompts.
    5. Check Android notification-related settings.
      • Go to Settings > Apps or Apps & notifications > Link to Windows and make sure notifications are enabled.
      • Go to Settings > Sounds or Sounds & Vibration / Sounds & Notifications and make sure Do not disturb is Off.
    6. Update both apps.
      • On Android: Link to Windows > Settings > About Link to Windows > Check for updates.
      • On PC: Phone Link > Settings > General > down arrow after Phone Link version > Check for updates.
      • If an Update Required page appears, update the app on the indicated device.
    7. If the devices used to connect before, unlink and pair again.
      • On Android: open Link to Windows, select the Microsoft account under Linked Account, then Account Settings > Sign out and unlink account > Unlink.
      • On PC: open Phone Link > Settings > Devices > Add new device and complete pairing again.
    8. If Phone Link shows a QR reconnection prompt, use it.
      • Open the Camera app on the phone.
      • Scan the QR code shown in Phone Link on the PC.
      • Complete the prompts on both devices and sign in with the Microsoft account.
      • If needed, select the refresh button next to the connection status in Phone Link.
    9. Check for network restrictions.
      • If using public Wi-Fi, work Wi-Fi, a VPN, firewall, or a router with Wireless Isolation / AP Isolation, these can block device-to-device communication.
      • On many routers this is under Wireless > Advanced Wireless Setting; disable AP Isolation if enabled.
    10. If setup fails after repeated code mismatches, restart setup from the PC.
    • More than 3 failed code matches can block linking.
    • Close and reopen Phone Link on the PC, then start setup again.

    If the issue started after previously working, the most direct recovery path is: update both apps, unlink on Android, then add the device again from Phone Link on the PC.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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