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Bluetooth stopped working on Windows 11

Charles S 65 Reputation points
2026-01-09T16:03:15.7333333+00:00

My Bluetooth suddenly stopped appearing on the taskbar, both as a standalone widget and in the quick settings area alongside Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode. When I open Settings, the Bluetooth driver is listed, but the on/off toggle is missing. Additionally, the driver repeatedly disappears and reappears every few seconds.

I have already tried running the Windows troubleshooter and reinstalling the Bluetooth driver, but neither resolved the issue. I also spent about an hour troubleshooting with ChatGPT and reached the step where I attempted to change the Bluetooth User Support Service to Automatic in the Services menu. However, when I try to apply the change, I receive an error stating “The parameter is incorrect.”

At this point, I am unsure whether that step would resolve the issue, but I am looking for any guidance to restore Bluetooth functionality, as I currently cannot connect headphones or any other Bluetooth devices. Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Moved from: Windows for business | Windows 365 Business

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. David-M 110.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-01-09T16:46:23.98+00:00

    Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

    Please clarify the following:

    • When you reinstalled the driver, did you let Windows reinstall it automatically, or did you use an installer? If you used an installer, where did you download it from?
    • What is the name of the Bluetooth adapter you are checking in Device Manager?

    (It's very easy to accidentally check the wrong Bluetooth device in Device Manager. I just want to make sure you're checking the correct one.)

    Also, share a screenshot of your system information.

    • Press "Windows + R", type msinfo32 and press Enter.

    Maximize the window and use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool. Or take a picture of the screen using a camera or smartphone and share it.

    I await your reply.

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-01-09T16:03:32.8733333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your Bluetooth functionality on Windows 11. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

    1. Check Bluetooth Settings: Since the toggle is missing, ensure that your Bluetooth radio is enabled in the Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start button, selecting Device Manager, and expanding the Bluetooth section. If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to your Bluetooth device, it may indicate a driver issue.
    2. Update Bluetooth Drivers: Even though you've reinstalled the driver, it might be worth checking for updates again. Right-click on your Bluetooth device in Device Manager and select "Update driver". You can choose to search automatically for updated driver software.
    3. Ensure Bluetooth Support Service is Running: You mentioned trying to set the Bluetooth User Support Service to Automatic. Make sure that this service is running. You can check this by typing services.msc in the Run dialog (Win + R), finding the service, and ensuring it is set to Automatic and started. If you encounter an error when trying to change it, you may need to check your system permissions or run the Services app as an administrator.
    4. Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, Windows updates can resolve underlying issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
    5. Reset Network Settings: If the above steps do not work, you can try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, and scroll down to "Network reset". This will remove and reinstall all your network adapters and set other networking components back to their original settings.
    6. Hardware Issues: If none of the software solutions work, it might be a hardware issue. Check if the Bluetooth radio is functioning properly, and consider testing with another Bluetooth device to rule out compatibility issues.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, further investigation may be needed to determine if there is a deeper system problem or hardware malfunction.

    References:

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