5 Fixes For “Setup Incomplete Because of a Metered Connection” Error in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• In most cases, you can resolve the “Setup incomplete because of a metered connection” error by disabling the metered connection.
• Running the Windows troubleshooter can also help fix the error.
• If nothing works, consider resetting the network settings on your Windows PC.

Fix 1: Enable Driver Downloads Over Metered Connections

The “Setup incomplete because of a metered connection” error typically occurs when you pair a Bluetooth device, and Windows cannot download relevant drivers for it. To avoid this, you must allow Windows to download drivers over a metered connection.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Switch to the Bluetooth & devices tab and click on Devices.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle for Download over metered connections.

Try connecting your Bluetooth device to see if it works.

Fix 2: Disable Metered Connection

You can temporarily disable metered connection on Windows if the error persists. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + X to open the Power User menu and select Network Connections from the list.

Step 2: Select Properties from the top of the screen to open network properties.

Step 3: Disable the Metered connection option.

Fix 3: Remove and Re-Add Your Bluetooth Device

If the “Setup incomplete because of a metered connection” error persists even after you disable metered connection, try unpairing your Bluetooth device and pairing it again.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Go to the Bluetooth & devices tab. Click the three-dot menu icon next to your Bluetooth device and select Remove device.

Step 3: Select Yes to confirm.

Step 4: Click the Add device button and follow the on-screen prompts to pair your device again.

Fix 4: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Network connection issues can also trigger the “Setup incomplete because of a metered connection” error on Windows. Thankfully, Windows 11 includes a troubleshooter that can detect and resolve any common network issue on its own. Here’s how to run it.

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type troubleshoot settings, and press Enter.

Step 2: Go to Other troubleshooters.

Step 3: Click the Run button next to Internet Connections.

Allow the troubleshooter to detect and fix any issues with your network. After that, you should be able to pair your device without issues.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

There’s a chance that one of Windows 11’s network settings is causing the “Setup incomplete because of a metered connection” error. Rather than going through all your network settings, it’d be easier to reset them and start over.

Note that this process will remove your saved networks and Bluetooth devices and reset all network settings to their default values.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings app. In the Network & internet tab, click on Advanced network settings.

Step 2: Under More settings, click on Network reset.

Step 3: Click the Reset now button next to Network reset.

Wait for the process to finish and reboot your PC. Then, see if you can pair your Bluetooth device successfully.