How to Fix Phone Link Not Working on Windows 11 or 10

Microsoft Phone Link can stop working in several different ways. The app may refuse to open, remain stuck while connecting, fail to pair with a phone, show an outdated device status, or connect successfully while messages, photos, notifications, calls, and apps stop syncing.

Those symptoms do not all have the same cause. A Phone Link for Windows not working problem can come from the Windows app itself, the Link to Windows app on the phone, Microsoft account mismatches, network restrictions, missing Android permissions, battery optimization, Bluetooth problems, or an outdated pairing between the two devices.

The most effective approach is to identify what still works before resetting anything. A Phone Link app that will not launch needs different troubleshooting from a phone that is already paired but no longer syncs notifications.

This article focuses primarily on Phone Link with Android on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Some Phone Link features are also available with iPhone, but the available functions and connection methods differ.

Check the Basic Phone Link Requirements First

Before repairing apps or removing devices, make sure the setup still meets Microsoft’s current requirements.

For the core Android Phone Link experience, Microsoft currently lists:

• A PC running Windows 11 or a compatible Windows 10 installation with the required updates
• An Android phone running Android 10 or later
• Phone Link on the Windows PC
• Link to Windows on the Android device
• Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network for the standard setup

Microsoft recommends keeping Windows updated for the best Phone Link experience.

You can review the current requirements on Microsoft’s official Phone Link requirements and setup page.

One important point in 2026 is that Windows 10 reached the end of its standard support lifecycle on October 14, 2025. Phone Link may still run on compatible Windows 10 systems, but moving to Windows 11 is the better long-term option when the PC supports it.

My How to Upgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 11 article explains the available upgrade methods if you are still using Windows 10.

Identify Which Part of Phone Link Is Failing

Use the symptoms to narrow down the problem.

Phone Link Will Not Open

Focus first on:

• Restarting the app
• Microsoft Store updates
• Windows Update
• Repairing Phone Link
• Resetting the app if repair fails

Phone Link Opens but Will Not Connect

Focus on:

• Wi-Fi
• Microsoft account
• Link to Windows
• Battery optimization
• Device permissions
• Restarting both devices

QR Code or Pairing Fails

Focus on:

• Correct Microsoft account
• Network connection
• Existing stale pairing
• Phone Link and Link to Windows updates
• Re-linking only after simpler checks

Phone Connects but Features Do Not Sync

Focus on:

• Android permissions
• Notification access
• Battery restrictions
• Background activity
• Feature-specific requirements

Calls Do Not Work

Calls rely on Bluetooth in addition to the broader Phone Link connection, so a working photo or message sync does not prove that the call connection is healthy.

This distinction prevents unnecessary resets.

1. Restart Phone Link and Link to Windows

Start by restarting the two apps rather than immediately removing the pairing.

On Windows:

1. Close Phone Link.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
3. Look for Phone Link if it remains running.
4. End the task when necessary.
5. Open Phone Link again.

On Android:

1. Open the recent apps screen.
2. Remove Link to Windows from recent apps.
3. Open Settings > Apps > Link to Windows.
4. Tap Force stop if the app appears stuck.
5. Open Link to Windows again.

Then give the devices a short time to reconnect.

When that does not work, restart both the PC and phone.

A restart is particularly useful when Phone Link worked normally earlier and stopped after:

• Waking the PC from sleep
• Changing Wi-Fi networks
• Restarting the router
• Installing an update
• Switching Microsoft accounts
• Connecting another Bluetooth device

Do not unlink the devices yet. A temporary app or network state is much easier to fix than rebuilding the connection from scratch.

2. Make Sure Both Devices Have a Working Network Connection

Phone Link depends heavily on communication between the PC and phone.

For the standard Android setup, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

On Windows, open:

Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi

Confirm that the PC is connected.

On Android, open:

Settings > Network & internet > Internet

or, on Samsung Galaxy devices:

Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi

Confirm that the phone is connected to the expected network.

Then test internet access on both devices.

Watch for Guest and Isolated Wi-Fi Networks

Being connected to Wi-Fi is not always enough.

Some guest networks, workplace networks, school networks, hotels, public hotspots, and routers with client isolation prevent devices on the same network from communicating with one another.

That can break Phone Link even though both devices still have internet access.

When possible, test on a normal home Wi-Fi network.

You can also restart the router if several devices are experiencing unusual local-network problems.

Avoid Resetting the Network Too Early

A full Windows network reset removes and reinstalls network adapters and clears important network configuration. It can be useful for broad Windows networking failures, but it is excessive when only Phone Link is affected.

Test ordinary Wi-Fi connectivity first.

If the Windows PC itself is suffering from broader network adapter problems, my Windows Could Not Find a Driver for Your Network Adapter article covers deeper network repair.

3. Confirm the Same Microsoft Account Is Being Used

Phone Link and Link to Windows should be associated with the correct Microsoft account.

Using different accounts can create a confusing situation where both apps appear signed in but the expected device does not connect.

On the Windows PC:

1. Open Phone Link.
2. Open Settings.
3. Review the account shown in the app.

On Android:

1. Open Link to Windows.
2. Open its account or profile settings.
3. Check the Microsoft account.

Make sure the intended Microsoft account matches.

This check is especially important when you:

• Have personal and work Microsoft accounts
• Recently changed the Windows sign-in account
• Use several PCs
• Linked more than one phone
• Previously used Phone Link with another Microsoft account

Do not assume the email address is correct just because Phone Link remembers your phone’s name.

When the accounts do not match, sign in with the correct account before removing the pairing.

4. Update Phone Link, Link to Windows, and Windows

An outdated component on either side can interfere with pairing or feature synchronization.

Update Phone Link on Windows

Open Microsoft Store.

Go to:

Library > Get updates

Install available updates for Phone Link and other Microsoft components.

The Microsoft Store interface can change, so use its Library or Updates area if the wording differs.

Update Link to Windows on Android

Open Google Play Store and search for:

Link to Windows

Install any available update.

On phones where Link to Windows is built into the system, updates may be delivered through Google Play, Galaxy Store, or the phone manufacturer’s software update mechanism.

Update Windows

On Windows 11, open:

Settings > Windows Update

Select:

Check for updates

Install available updates and restart the PC.

Updating all three components is particularly important when Phone Link stopped working after one side updated while the other did not.

Avoid downloading modified APK files or unofficial Phone Link installers from third-party websites.

5. Check Android Permissions for Link to Windows

Phone Link can remain connected while individual features stop working because Link to Windows lost a permission.

That is why a user may still see the phone in Phone Link but no longer receive:

• Notifications
• Messages
• Photos
• Contacts
• Calls
• App-related features

On Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Apps.
3. Select Link to Windows.
4. Open Permissions.
5. Review the permissions required for the Phone Link features you use.

The exact permission list depends on the phone and Android version.

Do not grant every permission automatically. Enable the permissions needed for the features you actually want to use.

Check Notification Access

When notifications stop appearing on the PC, make sure Link to Windows still has the required notification access.

Android manufacturers place this setting in different locations. Search Settings for:

Notification access

Confirm that Link to Windows is allowed.

Also open:

Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Notifications

Make sure notifications are not disabled.

Microsoft’s Phone Link troubleshooting documentation specifically recommends checking Link to Windows notification permissions when notification synchronization fails.

6. Stop Android Battery Optimization From Breaking the Connection

Android battery management is one of the most important Phone Link checks when the connection works only while the phone is awake.

Symptoms can include:

• Phone Link disconnects when the screen turns off
• Notifications arrive late
• The PC shows the phone as unavailable
• Syncing stops after several minutes
• Reopening Link to Windows temporarily fixes the problem

Microsoft specifically notes that battery optimization can interrupt the Phone Link connection and recommends excluding Link to Windows from aggressive battery optimization when necessary.

You can review Microsoft’s current recommendations in its official Phone Link troubleshooting page.

The exact Android menu varies.

A common path is:

Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery

Look for an option such as:

• Unrestricted
• Allow background activity
• Don’t optimize
• Not optimized

Use the least restrictive option necessary for reliable Phone Link operation.

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung may use settings such as:

Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery

Choose Unrestricted when available.

Also check:

Settings > Battery > Background usage limits

Make sure Link to Windows has not been placed in Deep sleeping apps.

Other Android Phones

Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Tecno, Infinix, and other manufacturers use different battery-management names.

Use the Android Settings search box for:

battery optimization

or:

background usage

Then locate Link to Windows.

Do not disable battery optimization globally. Change it only for the app that needs reliable background communication.

7. Repair Phone Link in Windows

When Phone Link will not open, crashes, freezes, or displays a blank window, use Windows’ built-in app repair option before resetting the app.

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Find Phone Link.
4. Select the three-dot menu.
5. Choose Advanced options.
6. Find Repair.
7. Wait for Windows to finish.
8. Open Phone Link and test it.

Repair attempts to fix the app without immediately clearing its stored data.

That makes it preferable to Reset.

If Repair works, stop there.

There is no benefit in resetting a functioning app after the problem has already been solved.

8. Reset Phone Link When Repair Does Not Work

Reset is more aggressive than Repair.

Use it when:

• Phone Link still will not launch
• The app repeatedly crashes
• It is stuck on an old device state
• Repair does nothing
• The interface loads incorrectly

Go to:

Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Phone Link > Advanced options

Select:

Reset

Confirm the action.

Then open Phone Link again and sign in when required.

Resetting can clear local app data and settings, so expect to configure Phone Link again.

Do not confuse resetting the Windows app with removing your Microsoft account or permanently deleting phone data. The reset applies to the app’s local Windows state.

9. Check Bluetooth When Phone Link Calls Are Not Working

Phone Link can sync some information over Wi-Fi while calls fail because the call feature also depends on Bluetooth.

When messages and photos work but calls do not, check Bluetooth rather than resetting the entire Phone Link setup.

On Windows 11:

Settings > Bluetooth & devices

Make sure Bluetooth is on.

On Android:

Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth

or the equivalent menu.

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and the PC and phone are paired as expected.

Try toggling Bluetooth off and back on on both devices.

If the pairing appears corrupted, remove and re-pair the Bluetooth connection.

Be careful not to confuse the Windows Bluetooth pairing with the broader Phone Link account connection. They serve related but different purposes.

If Windows refuses to remove an old Bluetooth pairing, see Can’t Remove Bluetooth Device on Windows 11? 10 Ways to Fix It.

Check Microphone Permissions for Calls

Calls also require microphone access on the PC.

Open:

Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone

Make sure the required microphone access is enabled.

Then check the call settings inside Phone Link.

When only calls fail, do not remove the entire phone connection until Bluetooth and microphone access have been tested.

10. Fix Phone Link Notifications Not Syncing

Notifications have several separate permission layers.

Start on Android.

Open:

Settings > Apps > Link to Windows

Check:

• Notifications
• Required permissions
• Battery usage
• Background activity

Also find Android’s Notification access settings and verify Link to Windows.

Then open Phone Link on Windows:

1. Go to Notifications.
2. Open Customize or the relevant notification settings.
3. Check which phone apps are allowed to show notifications on the PC.

When only one app’s notifications are missing, make sure that app is not disabled in the Phone Link notification list.

Also confirm that the notification actually appears on the phone. Phone Link cannot reliably mirror a notification that Android itself is suppressing.

Do not reinstall Phone Link just because one Android app is missing from the notification list. First generate a new notification from that app and recheck the available controls.

11. Fix Messages or Photos Not Syncing

A successful Phone Link connection does not guarantee that every category of data will update correctly.

Messages Not Updating

Check:

• Link to Windows permissions
• Microsoft account
• Phone connectivity
• Whether the phone itself can send and receive SMS
• Whether the problem affects all messages or only a specific messaging service

Phone Link’s messaging support is not identical to every internet-based messaging app.

For example, SMS/MMS functionality should not be confused with synchronization of every third-party encrypted messaging platform.

Photos Not Updating

Open Phone Link and check whether recent photos appear.

When older photos are visible but new ones do not arrive:

1. Wake the phone.
2. Confirm Wi-Fi.
3. Open Link to Windows.
4. Check permissions.
5. Disable aggressive battery restrictions.
6. Restart both apps.

Keep in mind that Phone Link’s Photos area is not designed as a complete cloud photo backup service.

When your goal is to display or control the Android screen on a Windows PC instead of only accessing recent photos, see Android Screen Mirroring: How to Mirror Your Phone. That article also explains when Phone Link’s phone-screen or app experience is available.

12. Fix QR Code or Pairing Problems

A QR code that will not scan or pairing that never completes usually points to the setup process rather than a broken Windows app.

Before generating another code:

1. Make sure the PC and phone are online.
2. Connect both to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Update Phone Link.
4. Update Link to Windows.
5. Check the Microsoft account.
6. Restart both devices.
7. Try the setup again.

Keep the devices physically close during setup.

Make sure the Android camera can clearly see the entire QR code.

Increase the PC screen brightness if necessary and clean the phone camera lens when the image is blurry.

Pairing Code Expires

Generate a fresh code instead of repeatedly trying an old one.

Also check the date and time on both devices. Incorrect system time can interfere with account authentication and pairing processes.

Use automatic time where possible.

On Windows:

Settings > Time & language > Date & time

On Android:

Settings > System > Date & time

Menu names vary by manufacturer.

13. Unlink and Reconnect the Phone as a Last Pairing Fix

Unlinking is useful when the connection record itself has become stale, but it should not be the first fix.

Try it after:

• Restarting both devices
• Checking network connectivity
• Confirming the Microsoft account
• Updating both apps
• Checking permissions
• Checking battery optimization
• Repairing Phone Link

Before unlinking, make sure you know the Microsoft account used for the connection.

In Phone Link:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Devices.
3. Find the affected phone.
4. Use the available remove or unlink option.

On Android, open Link to Windows and remove or sign out of the corresponding PC connection when necessary.

Depending on the current version and account configuration, you may also need to remove the device association from Microsoft’s account or device management interface.

After removing the stale connection:

1. Restart the PC.
2. Restart the phone.
3. Open Phone Link.
4. Choose to add a device.
5. Open Link to Windows.
6. Sign in with the same Microsoft account.
7. Complete the QR code or pairing process.
8. Approve the permissions you actually need.

Do not repeatedly unlink and re-link every time notifications arrive late. Rebuilding the pairing is most useful when the relationship between the devices itself appears corrupted.

What to Do When Phone Link Says the Phone Is Disconnected

A disconnected status while the phone is next to the PC usually points to communication being interrupted.

Check this order:

1. Confirm that both devices are on.
2. Wake the phone.
3. Check Wi-Fi on both.
4. Open Link to Windows on the phone.
5. Disable battery optimization for Link to Windows.
6. Restart both apps.
7. Restart the phone and PC.
8. Confirm the Microsoft account.
9. Re-link only if the connection remains broken.

When opening Link to Windows immediately restores the connection, Android background restrictions are particularly suspicious.

What to Do When Phone Link Is Stuck on Connecting

A permanent Connecting message means the apps know about each other but are not completing communication.

Check:

• Same Wi-Fi network
• VPN connections
• Guest Wi-Fi isolation
• Firewall or security software
• Battery optimization
• Microsoft account
• App versions

Temporarily disconnect a VPN on both devices and test again.

A corporate VPN or managed security configuration can route or restrict local traffic in a way that interferes with cross-device communication.

Do not permanently disable your firewall for Phone Link troubleshooting. If security software is suspected, use its documented app or local-network permissions rather than leaving the computer unprotected.

What to Do When Phone Link Opens and Then Closes

An app that crashes before it connects should be treated as a Windows application problem first.

Try:

1. Restart Windows.
2. Update Phone Link in Microsoft Store.
3. Install Windows updates.
4. Repair Phone Link.
5. Reset Phone Link if Repair fails.
6. Check whether other Microsoft Store apps are also failing.

When many Store apps are broken, Phone Link may only be one symptom of a wider Windows component problem.

Do not spend time resetting Android permissions when the Phone Link window cannot remain open long enough to communicate with the phone.

What to Do When Phone Link Works Only While the Phone Is Unlocked

This behavior strongly suggests a background activity or battery management issue.

Check:

Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery

Allow the app to operate in the background.

Also check manufacturer-specific settings such as:

• Sleeping apps
• Deep sleeping apps
• Auto-start
• Background usage
• Battery saver restrictions
• App launch management

Allowing Link to Windows to run reliably in the background does not mean you must disable all battery-saving features on the phone.

What to Do When Only Phone Screen or Apps Do Not Work

Phone screen and mobile-app streaming have additional compatibility requirements beyond the basic Phone Link connection.

A phone can successfully sync messages, photos, or notifications while Phone screen or Apps remains unavailable.

That does not automatically mean Phone Link is broken.

Availability depends on factors including:

• Android device model
• Android version
• Link to Windows support
• Phone Link version
• Region
• Feature-specific requirements

Update both apps and Windows first.

Then check Microsoft’s supported-device information for the particular Phone Link experience you are trying to use.

For alternative ways to display an Android phone on a PC or TV, Android Screen Mirroring: How to Mirror Your Phone covers Phone Link alongside other mirroring methods.

Does Phone Link Need Bluetooth?

Not for every feature.

The core Phone Link connection uses network communication for many functions, but certain experiences, particularly calls, use Bluetooth.

That is why you can sometimes read messages or see photos while calling does not work.

Troubleshoot the specific feature rather than assuming every Phone Link problem is a Bluetooth problem.

Does Phone Link Need the Same Wi-Fi Network?

For Microsoft’s standard Android Phone Link setup and several cross-device experiences, having the PC and Android phone on the same Wi-Fi network is the expected configuration.

Some supported scenarios and features may use other connectivity mechanisms, but putting both devices on the same reliable Wi-Fi network is the best baseline when troubleshooting.

Avoid public or guest Wi-Fi networks that isolate connected devices.

Can a VPN Stop Phone Link From Working?

It can.

A VPN may alter routing, local-network access, DNS behavior, or firewall rules.

When Phone Link works normally with the VPN disconnected, check the VPN application’s settings for:

• Local network access
• LAN visibility
• Split tunneling
• Trusted networks

Do not permanently abandon a VPN you require for work or privacy. Configure it to allow the necessary local-device communication when supported.

Should You Reset Windows Network Settings?

Usually not at first.

Network reset is appropriate when the Windows network stack itself is damaged, not simply because Phone Link has stopped syncing.

Before using it, make sure:

• Wi-Fi works
• Other local devices can connect normally
• Phone Link has been restarted
• Link to Windows background access is allowed
• VPN and guest-network issues have been checked
• Phone Link has been repaired

A full network reset can remove network adapters and require you to reconnect to networks afterward.

Use it only when broader Windows networking symptoms justify it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Phone Link not working on Windows?

Phone Link can fail because of an outdated app, Windows app corruption, different Microsoft accounts, Wi-Fi restrictions, missing Android permissions, battery optimization, Bluetooth problems, or a stale device pairing. Identifying whether the problem affects launching, connecting, syncing, or one feature makes troubleshooting much faster.

Why is Phone Link not connecting to my Android phone?

Make sure Phone Link and Link to Windows are updated, both devices have a working network connection, and the correct Microsoft account is being used. Also check Android battery optimization because aggressive background restrictions can interrupt the connection.

Why does Phone Link keep disconnecting?

Android battery management, unstable Wi-Fi, VPN routing, background restrictions, or an outdated app can cause repeated disconnections. When opening Link to Windows on the phone immediately restores the PC connection, battery or background activity restrictions are a strong suspect.

Why are Phone Link notifications not working?

Check Android notification access for Link to Windows, the app’s notification permission, battery restrictions, and Phone Link’s notification settings on the PC. Make sure the original notification is appearing on the phone as well.

Why are Phone Link calls not working when messages work?

Phone Link calls have additional Bluetooth and microphone requirements. Check the Bluetooth pairing between the phone and PC, then verify Windows microphone access. A functioning message sync does not prove that the call connection is configured correctly.

How do I reset Phone Link in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Phone Link > Advanced options and select Reset. Try Repair first because it is less disruptive.

Will resetting Phone Link delete my phone data?

Resetting the Windows Phone Link app does not erase the photos, messages, contacts, or other personal data stored on your physical phone. It can clear the app’s local Windows configuration and require you to reconnect or reconfigure the experience.

Should I uninstall Phone Link?

Normally, no. Microsoft integrates Phone Link into Windows, and current Windows builds may not offer a standard uninstall path. Use Repair, Reset, app updates, or unlink and reconnect troubleshooting instead.

Does Phone Link work with Windows 10?

Phone Link can work on compatible Windows 10 installations, although Windows 10 reached the end of standard support on October 14, 2025. A supported Windows 11 PC is the better long-term platform.

Does Phone Link work with every Android phone?

The basic Phone Link experience supports a broad range of Android devices that meet Microsoft’s requirements, but features such as Phone screen, mobile apps, and other advanced experiences can require specific supported devices or Android versions.

Fix the Part of Phone Link That Is Actually Broken

Phone Link problems are easier to solve when you separate the Windows app, device connection, and individual sync features.

Start with the current network connection, Microsoft account, app versions, Android permissions, and battery restrictions. Repair the Windows Phone Link app when it will not open or behaves incorrectly. Check Bluetooth specifically when calls fail, and only unlink the phone after the less disruptive fixes have been exhausted.

A connection that works for messages but not calls, or for notifications but not Phone screen, is not completely broken. Treating each feature separately helps you reach the real cause without repeatedly resetting a working pairing.