[Article] Windows 10 Bluetooth fixes (2023)

Question

📌 Note: This article was originally created by Greg Carmack Windows MVP 2010-20 (ret'd), a valued member on Answers Support Community. It provided meaningful insights and proved helpful to many. We're recreating it here on their behalf to preserve its value and ensure continued access for others.

Here are the fixes that work most for Bluetooth. Even if you've tried a step please try it again in this sequence:

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-restore-windows-10

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-show-windows-updates-windows-10-a.htmld in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button.

2. Try Updating the Bluetooth driver from the PC maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. Install it even if it's the same or newer than the one in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. While there check that you also have the latest chipset, BIOS, display, network, USB and all other drivers, compared to the ones presently installe
3. Right click Start button to access Device Manager, locate Bluetooth device (if necessary from View tab Show Hidden Devices), on Driver tab see if Roll Back is available, if not try Update Driver, first automatically, then Browse, then Let Me Pick to try all previously installed Drivers. If these fail Uninstall the Driver, restart PC to reinstall. If the BT driver is not there, access the View tab in Device Manager to "Show Hidden Devices."
4. Make sure you're pairing correctly as shown here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15290/windows-connect-bluetooth-device
5. Try Fixes here which are all working:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows-10-723e092f-03fa-858b-5c80-131ec3fba75c

https://thegeekpage.com/bluetooth-not-working-on-windows-10-solved/

https://www.howtogeek.com/508895/how-to-troubleshoot-bluetooth-issues-on-windows/

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-windows-10-bluetooth-not-working-4587254

https://net2.com/how-to-fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows-10/

https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/how-to-fix-bluetooth-problems-on-windows-10

https://superuser.com/questions/1017867/make-windows-10-recognize-bluetooth-dongle-as-bluetooth

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/bluetooth-not-working-windows-10/ Try these additional fixes for Bluetooth adapter disappears after Windows 10 Update:

https://howtofixwindows.com/bluetooth-disappeared-windows-10/

https://www.guidingtech.com/fix-bluetooth-missing-from-device-manager-windows-10/

6. Try the Bluetooth troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
7. Try turning off Fast Startup at Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do > Change settings that are unavailable > uncheck Fast Startup.
8. If this was caused by a Version Update then for 10 days you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool which is explained more here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-show-windows-updates-windows-10-a.html

If that doesn't work you can also Go Back in Repair Mode as shown here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanced-startup-options-boot-windows-10-a.html

You can also let the Updates install again as they may not cause the same problem, then if they do use one of the above methods to remove and block them.

9. If you think the BT adapter has failed, you can replace it easily with a USB nano adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/ZEXMTE-Bluetooth-Receiver-Transfer-Wireless/dp/B0775YF36R/ref=bmx_1/144-8846981-0178846?
10. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-performance/windows-10-performance-and-install-integrity/75529fd4-fac7-4653-893a-dd8cd4b4db00

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

11. If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1909 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install.

If you were referred here from another thread, please post back results in that thread. Otherwise you can ask questions and share information in the Comments section below, including any broken links.

---

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.