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If Bluetooth has disappeared from Windows 11, first check that your PC actually has Bluetooth and that Airplane mode is off. Then run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help and inspect Device Manager. A missing toggle does not by itself prove the driver is missing: Windows may not detect or enable the adapter, or the issue may involve firmware or hardware.

First, check whether your PC has Bluetooth

Some computers do not include Bluetooth hardware. Check the specifications for your exact PC model before trying to install a driver. If the model has no Bluetooth, a driver cannot add the missing hardware; a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter is one possible way to add the capability.

If your PC is supposed to have Bluetooth, turn Airplane mode off. If it has a physical wireless switch, make sure the switch is enabled. Microsoft also recommends a complete shutdown when the Bluetooth control has disappeared: hold Shift while selecting Shut down, wait one minute after the PC turns off, then turn it on again. Microsoft’s missing-Bluetooth guidance describes these checks.

Run the Windows 11 Bluetooth troubleshooter

Open the Get Help app and run its automated Bluetooth troubleshooter. It checks for common Bluetooth problems and attempts to fix them. If it does not restore Bluetooth, continue with Device Manager rather than assuming the adapter needs replacement. Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance covers this Windows troubleshooting path.

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Look for the adapter in Device Manager

  1. Open Device Manager. Use Windows Search to find and open Device Manager.
  2. Check the Bluetooth category. Expand it and look for the computer’s Bluetooth adapter. Its name may include “Bluetooth” or “Radio.”
  3. If it is not there, check Other devices. An adapter Windows has not identified may appear in that category.
  4. If you find the adapter, try an automatic update. Right-click it, select Update driver, then choose Search automatically for drivers.
  5. Check Windows Update. Open Settings > Windows Update and install any available driver updates. Restart if Windows asks you to.

For detailed update instructions, see Microsoft’s guide to updating Bluetooth drivers.

Reinstall the adapter or roll back a recent change

Reinstall an adapter that is listed

If the adapter appears in Device Manager but Bluetooth remains unavailable, right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device. Restart the PC so Windows can attempt to reinstall it. If Windows does not detect it again, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.

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Roll back a driver after a recent update

If Bluetooth stopped working after a driver or Windows update, open the adapter’s Properties, select the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if that option is available. The rollback control may not be available on every PC or for every driver.

Get the Windows 11 driver for your exact PC model

If Windows cannot find a suitable driver, go to the PC manufacturer’s support website and search using the computer’s exact model number. Download a Bluetooth driver intended for that model and Windows 11, install it, and restart if prompted. Driver packages can differ by model; do not assume a package for a similar computer or a generic driver-updater utility is appropriate.

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Some issues may involve manufacturer firmware rather than the Bluetooth driver alone. Microsoft notes that optional BIOS/UEFI or firmware updates may be available for some problems. Only use an update explicitly intended for your exact model, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If the adapter is still not detected, contact the PC manufacturer for model-specific driver, firmware, or hardware-diagnostic guidance. Microsoft also recommends contacting the manufacturer when Bluetooth remains missing because it may have troubleshooting steps specific to the PC.

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If the PC has no built-in Bluetooth

A USB Bluetooth adapter may add Bluetooth capability if your PC lacks built-in hardware. Check that the adapter supports your version of Windows and the devices you want to connect. An external adapter adds Bluetooth; it does not repair the driver or hardware for an existing internal adapter.

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