---
id: bridge-devices.why-did-my-bridge-device-disconnect-by-itself
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-did-my-bridge-device-disconnect-by-itself
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Troubleshooting"
question: "Why did my Bridge device disconnect by itself?"
alt_questions:
  - "Bridge keeps disconnecting"
  - "My PC dropped off Bridge"
  - "Bridge device shows Not connected"
  - "Why does Bridge disconnect after a while?"
  - "Bridge connection dropped"
short_answer: "Most often the “Keep connected for” timer ran out, the other device slept or went offline, or Storage Studio was quit. Set the timer to Always if you like, wake the device, and click Connect on its row."
tags: ["bridge", "disconnect", "troubleshooting"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-keep-connected-for-do", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-a-paired-device-is-offline", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/does-bridge-keep-running-when-i-quit-storage-studio"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why did my Bridge device disconnect by itself?

Usually for one of three reasons: the **Keep connected for** timer ran out, the other device went to sleep, lost its network or was shut down, or Storage Studio was quit on the Mac.

What to do:

1. Check **Keep connected for** in the Devices tab — choose **Always** if you want it to stay linked.
2. Make sure the other device is awake, online and has the Bridge app running.
3. Click **Connect** on the device's row.

When a device that's still paired comes back online, Bridge reconnects to it on its own.

- [Keep connected for](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-keep-connected-for-do)
- [When a device is offline](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-happens-when-a-paired-device-is-offline)