When Bluetooth is missing from Device Manager, Windows is not simply hiding the Settings toggle. The Bluetooth adapter may be disabled, its driver may be missing or corrupted, the hardware may be listed under Other devices, or the PC may not contain a Bluetooth adapter at all.
Work through the checks below in order. The important distinction is whether Windows detects the adapter somewhere in Device Manager. That determines whether you should repair a driver, enable hardware, or check the computer’s specifications.
1. Confirm that your PC has Bluetooth hardware
Not every Windows 11 desktop or laptop includes Bluetooth. Check the computer manufacturer’s product page, specification sheet, or manual for Bluetooth support. A desktop may need a separate USB Bluetooth adapter or a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth expansion card.
If the PC has no Bluetooth hardware, no driver reinstall or Windows setting can create a Bluetooth entry in Device Manager. Install a compatible Bluetooth adapter first, then install the driver supplied by its manufacturer.
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2. Check the less obvious Device Manager categories
Open Device Manager by selecting Search on the taskbar, typing device manager, and selecting Device Manager.
Look in these locations:
- Bluetooth — an installed adapter normally appears here. Its name may contain radio, such as a manufacturer-specific Bluetooth radio.
- Other devices — a missing or incorrectly installed driver can leave the adapter here with a yellow warning icon.
- Network adapters — some combined wireless modules expose their components in this category when the Bluetooth driver is not installed correctly.
- Universal Serial Bus controllers — this is worth checking for a USB Bluetooth dongle that Windows detects but cannot identify properly.
In Device Manager, select View > Show hidden devices. A faded Bluetooth entry indicates a previously detected device, not necessarily a currently working adapter. Right-click it and open Properties to see whether Windows reports an error code.
3. Check whether Bluetooth is disabled
If the adapter is visible in Device Manager, right-click it. If the menu contains Enable device, select it. You can also select the adapter and choose Action > Enable Device.
For example, Device Manager Code 22 means “This device is disabled.” Enabling the device should restore the Bluetooth controls if the driver is otherwise working.
Some laptops also have a physical wireless switch or an Fn-key shortcut that disables wireless radios. Check the keyboard symbols and the manufacturer’s wireless-control utility if the adapter repeatedly becomes disabled.
4. Turn off Airplane mode and restart Windows
Press Windows + A to open Quick settings, then make sure Airplane mode is turned off. Airplane mode disables Bluetooth along with other wireless connections.
Then perform a normal restart: select Start > Power > Restart. A restart can reload a wireless driver and recover an adapter that disappeared after sleep, hibernation, or a Windows update.
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5. Run Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting tools
Microsoft currently directs Windows 11 users to the automated Bluetooth diagnostic in the Get Help app. Open Start, search for Get Help, launch it, and follow the Bluetooth troubleshooting prompts.
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- Open Start > Settings.
- Select System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Bluetooth and select Run.
The troubleshooter cannot fix absent physical hardware, but it may correct service, configuration, or driver-related problems.
6. Install the Bluetooth driver from Windows Update
Some Bluetooth drivers are distributed through Windows Update. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install available updates, restart the computer, and check Device Manager again.
Also open Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates if that section is available. Driver updates are not always listed as required updates, so this extra check can matter when Bluetooth disappeared after a clean Windows installation.
7. Update the adapter in Device Manager
If the adapter is listed under Bluetooth or Other devices:
- Right-click the adapter or unidentified Bluetooth-related device.
- Select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Select Close when the process finishes.
Windows may report that the best driver is already installed even when the manufacturer has a newer version. Device Manager does not always find the newest available package. If the automatic search does not help, download the Bluetooth driver from the support page for the exact laptop, motherboard, or USB adapter model. Avoid generic driver-download sites.
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8. Install a downloaded driver manually
Manufacturer driver packages may arrive as an installer or as a folder containing .inf and .sys files. For a folder-based package, use this procedure:
- In Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth device under Bluetooth or Other devices.
- Select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Browse, choose the folder containing the driver files, and select OK.
- Select Next, then Close.
- Restart Windows and check whether the Bluetooth category has returned.
Use the driver intended for your exact Windows edition and hardware model. A driver for a similar-looking laptop or a different wireless chipset may install incorrectly or do nothing.
9. Remove and reinstall the Bluetooth adapter
Reinstalling is useful when the adapter is present but has a corrupt driver. In Device Manager, right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device, then select Uninstall to confirm.
Next, shut the PC down completely using Start > Power > Shut down. Power it back on rather than selecting Restart. Windows should attempt to detect the adapter and reinstall its driver during startup.
If it does not return, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes. If Windows still finds no adapter, install the manufacturer’s driver manually. Uninstalling the device does not normally remove the physical Bluetooth hardware; the procedure is intended to force a fresh driver installation.
10. Restart the Bluetooth service
The Bluetooth service is unlikely to make a completely absent adapter appear, but restarting it can restore Bluetooth after a service failure or a disrupted update.
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- Press Windows + R.
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services.mscand press Enter. - Find Bluetooth Support Service.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
If the service is stopped, open Properties, set Startup type to Automatic if appropriate for your system, and select Start. Restart Windows afterward.
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11. Use the Device Manager error code to choose the fix
Open the device’s Properties window and read the message in Device status. These common codes point to different actions:
| Code | What it means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | The device is disabled. | Select Action > Enable Device. |
| 28 | The driver is not installed. | Uninstall the device, select Action > Scan for hardware changes, then provide the manufacturer’s driver if Windows asks for it. |
| 29 | Firmware did not provide the required resources. | Enable the device in the computer’s BIOS or UEFI. The exact menu depends on the manufacturer. |
| 31 | Windows cannot load the required driver. | Reinstall the Bluetooth driver. |
| 39 | The driver may be corrupted or missing. | Uninstall the device, then use Action > Scan for hardware changes or install a fresh driver. |
| 41 | Windows loaded the driver but cannot find the hardware. | Reinstall the driver and check for a disabled wireless radio, loose hardware, or a BIOS setting. |
| 43 | The device reported a problem and Windows stopped it. | Reinstall the driver. If the error returns, consult the adapter or computer manufacturer’s hardware documentation. |
12. Check BIOS or UEFI settings
If Device Manager shows Code 29, or the adapter vanished after changing firmware settings, enter the computer’s BIOS or UEFI setup during startup. Common keys include F2, Delete, F10, or Esc, but the correct key depends on the manufacturer.
Look for settings named Bluetooth, Wireless, Internal WLAN, or Wireless Device Control. Enable the relevant option, save the changes, and boot into Windows. Do not change unrelated BIOS settings.
13. When the problem is probably hardware
Hardware becomes the likely cause when all of these are true:
- The PC’s specifications confirm that it has Bluetooth.
- No adapter appears under Bluetooth, Other devices, or hidden devices.
- The correct manufacturer driver does not restore it.
- BIOS or UEFI does not disable the wireless hardware.
- The adapter also fails after a complete shutdown and hardware scan.
For a laptop, contact the manufacturer or have the internal wireless card inspected. For a desktop, reseat or replace the wireless card if you are comfortable working inside the computer. A USB Bluetooth adapter is often the simplest workaround, provided its driver supports your Windows version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if “More Bluetooth settings” is missing?
In Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Related settings. The link is called More Bluetooth settings. If it is absent, Microsoft says the PC may not have a Bluetooth adapter or its driver may not be installed.
Do not use the older Windows 10 paths such as Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices or More Bluetooth options; those labels do not describe the current Windows 11 interface.
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- Plug & Play: USB wireless Bluetooth is not limited by network and location, no need to install drivers, just plug the USB wireless adapter into your computer, you can use it directly. You can use the Bluetooth function at any time. Greatly improve your work efficiency and save your time.
- Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: The USB Bluetooth 5.4 dongle uses Class 1 radio technology, equipped with extra long antenna, and the transmission range in the open area can reach 500ft/150m, Bluetooth connections are no longer affected by distance. Note: The actual transmission range will be affected by physical obstructions and wireless interference.
- Fast Transmission Rate: This upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 adapter features EDR technology and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration up to 3Mbps, which greatly improves transmission rates and reduces the loss of transmission efficiency due to interference in the 2.4GHz band. Enables fast, no delay wireless data connections between your computer and Bluetooth devices.
- System Support: The upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 dongle has a wide range of applications. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time using Bluetooth wireless. Such as Bluetooth speakers,keyboards,headsets,mice, and Bluetooth printers,etc. Only supports Windows 11/10/8.1, Not compatible with Mac OS, Linux,car stereo systems,XBOX,ps4 or TVs.
FAQ
Why is Bluetooth not listed anywhere in Device Manager?
The PC may not include Bluetooth, the adapter may be disabled in BIOS or UEFI, or Windows may not be detecting the hardware because its driver is missing or the device has failed. Check Other devices, show hidden devices, confirm the PC specifications, and install the manufacturer’s driver.
Can I reinstall Bluetooth if the Bluetooth category is missing?
Yes, if the adapter appears under Other devices or as a hidden device. Uninstall that entry, shut down the PC, power it on, and select Action > Scan for hardware changes if Windows does not reinstall it. If no related device appears, download the correct driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer.
Will Windows Update automatically install the Bluetooth driver?
It may. Check Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, and review Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. Windows Update does not always provide the newest or correct driver, so use the manufacturer’s support page if Bluetooth remains missing.
Does a Bluetooth USB dongle need a separate driver?
Some USB dongles work with an existing Windows driver, while others need the manufacturer’s package. If the dongle appears under Other devices with a warning icon, install the driver intended for that exact model.
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Yes. Microsoft lists recent Windows updates as one possible cause of Bluetooth problems. Install current updates, reinstall the manufacturer’s Bluetooth driver, and use the Get Help Bluetooth diagnostic. If the issue began immediately after a specific update, check the computer manufacturer’s support guidance before removing updates.
The Bottom Line
Start by checking Bluetooth and Other devices in Device Manager, then confirm the PC actually includes Bluetooth. Enable the adapter if necessary, install the manufacturer’s driver, and use Uninstall device followed by a full shutdown and hardware scan when the existing installation is damaged. If Windows never detects an adapter after those steps, investigate BIOS settings or a hardware fault rather than repeatedly changing Windows Bluetooth settings.
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