Bluetooth device connected and functional but not appearing in settings

Question

My laptop with Win 11 21H2 has some rather strange bluetooth issues. I have a bluetooth mouse that I have connected to the PC, but the mouse does not appear anywhere in my paired devices list. It is functional and I can use it to move my cursor, but nothing is shown in Windows bluetooth settings.

• It does, however, show up in Device Manager.
• If I ever wanted to unpair it, the only way I have found that works is modifying the registry as shown here.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? It is extremely frustrating.

These screenshots are with the mouse connected and functional with my PC:

Answer 1

Hello, I'm Louie, and I'm happy to help you today. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with your bluetooth devices not showing up in Device Manager.

I would recommend first you to run Bluetooth troubleshooter.

Follow the instructions below for a step-by-step guide on running the Bluetooth Troubleshooter and applying the recommended fix on Windows 11:

Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type

‘ms-settings:troubleshoot’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Troubleshooting tab of the Settings app.

Once you’re inside the Troubleshoot tab, move over to the right-hand pane and click on Other troubleshooters.

Next, scroll down to the Others tab from the Other troubleshooter menu, then click on the Run button associated with Bluetooth.

Once you open the Bluetooth troubleshooter, wait until the initial scan is complete.

If a viable repair scenario is identified, the tool will automatically apply the fix. You’ll get a brief where you can see which fix was applied.

Note: If the problem is still not fixed, click on No to prompt the tool to recommend a different device.

Reboot your PC and see if the Bluetooth component starts functioning.

Another thing you can try is to Reinstall the Bluetooth driver via Device Manager.

Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on reinstalling the Bluetooth driver via Device Manager:

Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Device Manager with admin access.

When the User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to grant admin access.

Once you’re inside Device Manager, the first thing you’d want to do is expand the drop-down menu named Bluetooth.

Next, right-click on the main Bluetooth driver and choose Properties from the context menu.

Once you’re inside the Properties screen, access the Driver tab, then click on Uninstall device from the context menu.

Reboot your PC and wait for the next startup to complete.

Note: During this next startup, your Windows 11 installation that the Bluetooth driver is missing and automatically install a compatible equivalent.

Attempt to connect a device to your Bluetooth once again and see if the problem is now fixed.

If the Bluetooth issue is not fixed on Windows 11, Follow the instructions below for specific instructions on how to enable and re-configure the Bluetooth Support Service:

Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘services.msc’ inside the text box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Services screen with admin access.

When the User Account Control prompts you, click Yes to grant administrative access.

Once you’re inside the Services screen, move over to the right-hand section, scroll down through the list of services and locate the Bluetooth Support Service.

After identifying the correct entry, right-click on Bluetooth Support Service and choose Properties from the context menu that just appeared.

Once you’re inside the Properties screen, click on General from the menu at the top, then change the Startup type to Manual if it’s currently set to Disabled.

Next, click on the Start button to ensure that the Bluetooth Support service runs before clicking on Apply to save the changes.

Now that the Bluetooth Support service has been enabled and re-configured, repeat the Bluetooth action that was previously failing.

Hope this helps and looking forward for good results.

Sincerely,

Louie

Answer 2

I'm sorry if the steps didn't work. It seems that the issue is complex than what I expected.

It may be best if I release your question to other advisors so they can take a look at it and let them share some other ways that can fix the issue.

You take care and keep safe always.

Sincerely,

Louie

Answer 3

Good Day 9s2j6,

My name is Carlo, I am also using Windows 11 pc and community member like you.

Let us work together to sort this out.

First, try to connect the Bluetooth mouse using a different computer for us to check if the issue is with your computer or the mouse itself.

If it does the same using a different device means that the mouse is faulty.

If the mouse works using a different device proceed with the steps below.

What is the exact model of your computer?

To check the system model proceed with these steps.

-Press Windows key + R

-Type msinfo32 and hit enter.

-Look for the System Model and Manufacturer and post it here.

If you are using a custom built pc look for Baseboard version and Baseboard product and post it here.

I'll look forward for your response so that I can provide an accurate recommendation.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carlo T.

Answer 4

Hi Carlo, thanks for the reply!

The mouse works perfectly with other devices, and I have had the same issue on my PC with headphones in the past.

Here is the info you requested:

Answer 5

Good Day 9s2j6,

I appreciate your time getting back to this thread, you can proceed with the steps below.

Here are the steps you can try.

-Go to Settings

-Click System

-Click Troubleshoot then “additional troubleshooter

-Look for Bluetooth , click it and run the troubleshooter.

Once done proceed with these steps.

-Press Windows Key + R

-Type Services.msc and hit enter

-Look for "Bluetooth Support Service"

-Set it to start then Automatic.

-Go to Device Manager

-Expand the Bluetooth

-Look for Bluetooth driver that was installed

-Right click and Update

-Look for "Browse my computer for driver

-Let me pick drivers available drivers

-Choose an old driver and use it.

Restart your device, then check the Bluetooth

if issue persist, proceed with these steps .

-Go to Device Manager

-Expand the Bluetooth

-Look for Bluetooth driver that was installed

-Right click and Uninstall

Once uninstalled, go this link and click Let HP detect your product.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact/laptop-ser...

Once detected, download and install the updated Bluetooth driver, once installed restart and check the Bluetooth.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carlo T.