Bluetooth stopped working

Question

While playing a game, my controller stopped working. I closed the game, and Bluetooth is no longer available. It does not appear in Settings or Device Manager. It is just not there anymore. Can the Bluetooth module on my network card fail while the WiFi is working fine?

Answer 1

Welcome Lee Hepler,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I am sorry to hear about your issue with your Bluetooth after your controller stopped working.  

Base on my knowledge, Driver conflicts or corruption frequently cause Bluetooth to vanish from Device Manager and Settings, even if WiFi persists, especially after gaming or updates. Hardware issues like poor antenna connections or partial module failure also occur without affecting WiFi radios. 

To assist you better, I need to clarify a few things:  

• Have you had a chance to review the responses from Q&A Quick Assist and DaveM121 yet? 

You may also try following some additional steps below to achieve better results:

Option 1: View Hidden Devices 

• Open Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices, and expand Bluetooth or Network adapters sections. Right-click any grayed-out Bluetooth entries, select Uninstall device (check "Delete the driver software"), then Action > Scan for hardware changes to force redetection 

Option 2: Quick troubleshoot 

• Open Device Manager > Find “Bluetooth” in the list (Your Bluetooth device may still appear even if it’s not working) > Right‑click the Bluetooth device → select “Disable device.” 

Important: Do NOT enable it again yet. 

• Restart your computer 
• After the restart: Return to Device Manager > Bluetooth > Right‑click the Bluetooth device → select “Enable device.” 

I really hope that the information I gave above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have further concern on this matter.    

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Answer 2

1

Open the Settings App (gear icon on your Start Menu)

Go to System - Troubleshoot

Click 'Other Troubleshooters'

Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter from the resulting page

Check if Bluetooth is then working

2

If not, open Device Manager (accessible by right clicking your Start Button)

At the top of Device Manager, choose View - Show Hidden Devices

Does that show hidden Bluetooth device(s)

If so, right click and uninstall that

Restart your PC

Check if Bluetooth is then working

3

If Bluetooth is still not working, go to the support page for your PC on the manufacturers website, then from there, download and install the Bluetooth device drivers they recommend.

If you have any difficulty locating that support page, click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

Answer 3

Yes, it is possible for the Bluetooth module on your network card to fail while the WiFi continues to work fine. Bluetooth and WiFi can operate independently on the same network card, and issues can arise with one without affecting the other. If your Bluetooth is not appearing in Settings or Device Manager, it may indicate a hardware issue or a driver problem.

Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Restart your computer: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve hardware detection issues.
2. Check Device Manager: If Bluetooth is not listed, it may be disabled or there could be a driver issue. You can try to update the driver or check for any hidden devices.
3. Use the Bluetooth troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Bluetooth to run the troubleshooter, which may help identify and fix the problem.
4. Check for hardware issues: If the Bluetooth module has failed, you may need to consider using an external Bluetooth adapter as a workaround.

If the problem persists after these steps, it may be necessary to consult with a technician or consider replacing the network card if it is determined to be faulty.