bluetooth driver not there

Question

no Bluetooth on CPU whatsoever

no option to update driver, for driver doesn't seem to exist

Answer 1

Hi samuel amore,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that Bluetooth is completely missing on your Windows 11 PC, with no driver available and no Bluetooth option visible anywhere in the system.

Before we proceed, I’d like to narrow this down a bit:

1, Is this a laptop or a desktop PC, and does it have built‑in Bluetooth or a USB Bluetooth adapter?

2, Did this issue start after a recent Windows update, BIOS update, or hardware change?

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

1, Check if Bluetooth is disabled in BIOS/UEFI

• Restart the PC and enter BIOS/UEFI setup
• Look for settings related to Onboard Devices, Wireless, or Bluetooth
• Make sure Bluetooth or Wireless is enabled
• Save changes and restart Windows

2, Verify Bluetooth services

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
• Locate Bluetooth Support Service
• Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic
• If the service is stopped, select Start

3, Check for optional driver updates

• Open Settings
• Go to Windows Update
• Select Advanced options
• Select Optional updates
• Install any available Bluetooth or chipset drivers

4, Perform a full power reset

• Shut down the PC completely
• Unplug the power cable
• If it is a laptop, also disconnect the battery if possible
• Wait at least 30 seconds, reconnect power, and start the PC

5, Reset network components

• Open Settings
• Go to Network and Internet
• Select Advanced network settings
• Select Network reset
• Restart the PC when prompted

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.  

Answer 2

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

---

It is necessary to investigate this issue to understand the reason for it.

---

Please do the following:

(Maybe you didn't find the Bluetooth adapter because it might be hidden.)

1. Press "Windows + X" and select "Device Manager";
2. Click on the "View" menu and select "Show hidden devices";
3. Expand "Bluetooth";

(If you don't have the Bluetooth category, let me know.)

4. If the Bluetooth adapter is listed, right-click and select "Properties". Check if there is an error in "Device Status". If you see an error under Device Status, please share a screenshot.

• If you can't identify the Bluetooth adapter, please share a screenshot of the devices under the Bluetooth category.
• Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

---

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.

---

I await your reply.

Answer 3

When Bluetooth does not appear anywhere in Windows 11 (no icon, no toggle, and no device in Device Manager), use these steps to restore it:

1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
   • Open the Get Help app using this link: Run the troubleshooter in Get Help.
   • Let it run diagnostics and apply any fixes it suggests.
2. Check for the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager
   1. Select Start > Device Manager.
   2. In Device Manager, look for Bluetooth.
      • If Bluetooth is present, expand it and check for your Bluetooth adapter.
      • If it is missing, also check under Other devices for any unknown devices.
3. Install or update Bluetooth drivers
   • If the Bluetooth adapter is visible:
     1. In Device Manager, under Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter (may include the word "radio").
     2. Select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
     3. Follow the steps, then select Close.
     4. Restart: Start > Power > Restart, then check if Bluetooth appears.
   • If Windows reports the best driver is already installed or finds nothing new, or if the adapter is missing:
     1. Go to the PC/computer manufacturer’s website.
     2. Download the latest Bluetooth driver for the exact PC model and Windows 11.
     3. If the download is an .exe file, run it to install.
     4. If the download contains .inf and .sys files:
        • Open Device Manager.
        • If a Bluetooth device exists: Bluetooth > right-click the adapter > Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
        • If no Bluetooth node exists but there is an unknown device under Other devices, right-click that device instead and use Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers.
        • Browse to the folder where the driver files are stored, select OK, then Next and complete the wizard.
        • Restart the PC if prompted.
4. If Bluetooth appears but still does not work or the icon is missing
   • Uninstall and let Windows reinstall the adapter:
     1. Open Device Manager.
     2. Expand Bluetooth.
     3. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device.
     4. Confirm Uninstall.
     5. Select Start > Power > Shut down.
     6. Wait a few seconds, then power on the PC. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.
     7. If it does not reinstall automatically, open Device Manager, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
5. Make sure Windows is up to date
   • Some Bluetooth drivers are delivered via Windows Update:
     1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update.
     2. Select Check for updates and install all available updates.
6. Verify Airplane mode and restart
   • Press Windows + A and make sure Airplane mode is turned off.
   • Restart the PC: Start > Power > Restart.

If, after installing the correct manufacturer driver and scanning for hardware changes, no Bluetooth device appears in Device Manager at all, this usually indicates a hardware issue (missing/disabled Bluetooth module or motherboard problem) that requires hardware/vendor support.

---

References:

• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth disappeared in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound issue on Windows
• earbuds wont pair - Microsoft Q&A
• Cannot update drivers for a RAID card using Device Manager - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A
• Errore di installazione - 0x800f0845 - Microsoft Q&A
• device missing important security and quality issues - Microsoft Q&A