Basic Fix:
- Replug your Bluetooth adapter: This applies to those using Bluetooth adapter on Windows 11 PCs. You can also change the USB port and plug the device into another USB port to fix the issue.
Fix 1: Show Hidden Devices and Reinstall Bluetooth Driver
There is a chance that the Bluetooth option is hidden under the Device Manager menu. To make it appear, make some changes to the menu.
Step 1: Right-click the Start menu and click Device Manager.
Step 2: Click on View at the top and select Show hidden devices.
Step 3: Expand the Bluetooth category, right-click your driver, and click Uninstall device.
Step 4: Restart your computer.
Fix 2: Run Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Windows 11 offers a built-in troubleshooter to fix Bluetooth-related issues on devices. Here’s how to use it.
Step 1: Press the Windows + I keys and open the Settings menu.
Step 2: Go to System and open the Troubleshoot menu.
Step 3: Select Other troubleshooters.
Step 4: Run Bluetooth troubleshooter from the following menu and let Windows handle Bluetooth problems.
Fix 3: Restart the Bluetooth Support Service
Bluetooth Support Service starts automatically in the background when you log in to Windows 11. If the service starts to have problems, enable it manually. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys and open the Run menu.
Step 2: Type services.msc in the Run dialog box and hit Enter.
Step 3: Find Bluetooth Support Service from the list.
Step 4: Double-click on it and open the Bluetooth Support Service Properties menu.
Step 5: Check the current status. If it stops, click Start > hit Apply at the bottom.
Step 6: Reboot your PC and open the Device Manager menu to confirm Bluetooth.
Fix 4: Reinstall USB Drivers
This option applies when the Bluetooth adapter acts upon your PC due to a corrupted USB slot.
Step 1: Right-click the Start menu > click Device Manager.
Step 2: Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers > right-click on your eXtensible Host Controller > click Uninstall device.
Step 3: Right-click on your Machine hostname (your PC name at the top, above the Audio inputs and outputs option) > select Scan for hardware changes.
The move will reinstall the default hardware drivers, and you should be able to connect a wireless mouse, keyboard, webcam, and more.
Fix 5: Run System Scan
Files associated with the Bluetooth function may be corrupted during the process. The SFC and DISM scans would help.
Step 1: Press the Windows key > search for Command Prompt > hit Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type the command below and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
Open the Device Manager menu, and if Bluetooth is still missing from the list, run the following command on the Command Prompt.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
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Last updated on 23 August, 2024
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Thanks buddy, it realty helped me.
Option 3. Perfect! Why it was on manual is another MSoft mystery.
Nothing worked for me. It is hidden in the Device Manager and I have not been successful in making it work. It happened after Windows 11 did an update.
It fixed. Thanks a lot for you buddy. I used method 4 to fix it and really work.
I tried all 8 ways.But nothing worked.It seems like bluetooth is gone,not hidden,just gone
None of those work for me either…
what a debacle…how can someone design an OS like this. Windows base is full of bugs and mr bill wants to fix world hunger. fix ur bluetooth issues first.
What a useless OS. None of the steps worked.
None worked. Had 4 Best Buy technicians on it and none could figure out the problem. Had to replace my laptop only to have the same issue come up on the second computer as well.
Option 7 works for me (the DISM commands). This is my third time having to run it since installed Windows 11, but at least I know what to do now.
Nothing worked. Im going around in circles and I want to get off.
None of these worked / or option 5 is not complete as there is no action included after showing the hidden devices.
On my device Bluetooth was not showing in device manager anymore either.
So what did work for me was:
1) First connect a wired mouse and keyboard so you can logon and use a mouse.
2) Then do option 5 to show the hidden devices. This showed the bluetooth again but in a shaded color.
3) Find the bluetooth adapter in that list. On my device it was “Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)”.
4) Remove it.
5) Reboot windows, after reboot all worked fine again.
Additional information: after showing hidden devices and finding your bluetooth adapter right click it with your mouse to show its properties. Check if the device status box shows an error code 45. According to the Internet the cause of this code could be hardware or software (so basically anything although a common cause mentioned is the driver). A common solution mentioned is to remove the adapter so windows can find it again on reboot.
I’ve had this twice now in one year. Both times above solution worked.
Gonna see if installing the bluetooth driver from the motherboard company itself to replace the one provided by windows helps.