Can't find the Bluetooth in Windows

Question

I can't find Bluetooth in the laptop setting and also in the device manager. I was using the laptop as usual and was away for just under 30 mins while I put the laptop on Sleep mode. When I came back and turned the system ON, I couldn't find the Bluetooth option to connect my headset.

Answer 1

Hi Mohanakrishna J,

Since Bluetooth was working normally before the laptop entered Sleep mode, and then disappeared from both Settings and Device Manager after resuming, the issue may be related to the Bluetooth driver not recovering correctly from the sleep state. This can sometimes occur due to a temporary driver or power management problem.

As a first step, please Restart (not Sleep or Hibernate) the computer and check whether Bluetooth reappears. A restart can reload the Bluetooth driver and clear temporary issues that may have occurred after Sleep mode.

In addition, I recommend visiting your laptop manufacturer's support website to:

1. Check whether a newer Bluetooth driver is available for your model.
2. Download and install the latest Bluetooth driver.
3. Restart the device after installation.

Updating the Bluetooth driver can often resolve issues where the Bluetooth adapter is no longer detected properly after waking from Sleep.

Please let us know whether Bluetooth reappears after the restart and driver update.

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

Try these steps in order for Windows 11:

1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter first.
   • Open the Get Help app and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
   • It can automatically diagnose and fix common cases where the Bluetooth toggle or icon disappears.
2. Check whether Airplane mode is off.
   • Press Windows + A to open Quick settings.
   • Make sure Airplane mode is Off.
3. Restart the PC.
   • Select Start > Power > Restart.
   • This can clear a temporary issue that started after Sleep mode.
4. Look for Bluetooth in Device Manager.
   • Open Device Manager.
   • The device categories are listed alphabetically.
   • Look for Bluetooth next to the blue Bluetooth logo, then expand it.
5. If Bluetooth appears in Device Manager, update the driver.
   • In Device Manager, select Bluetooth.
   • Right-click the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word radio.
   • Select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
   • If prompted, restart the PC.
6. Check Windows Update.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
   • Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
   • Some Bluetooth drivers are delivered through Windows Update.
7. If Bluetooth still does not appear, install the latest driver from the PC manufacturer.
   • If Windows cannot find a newer driver automatically, download the latest Bluetooth driver from the laptop manufacturer’s support site.
   • If the adapter is not listed under Bluetooth, check Other devices in Device Manager.
   • After installing the driver, restart the PC.
8. If Bluetooth returns but the headset still does not connect, remove and pair the headset again.
   • Open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Devices.
   • Select the headset, choose More options > Remove device.
   • Pair it again.

If the laptop does not support Bluetooth, the Bluetooth option will not appear at all, so checking the laptop specifications is also relevant.

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