Bluetooth keeps disconnecting (Code 45)Need help

Question

Hi everyone

I’m having a recurring issue with my Bluetooth adapter and it’s driving me crazy. A few times a week, my Bluetooth just cuts out.

Here’s what happens: I turn on Bluetooth and pair my AirPods. It works fine for a few minutes, then it suddenly disconnects, and the Bluetooth icon completely disappears from the taskbar/quick settings.

I’ve tried the usual fixes I found online, but nothing seems to stick. When I check the Device Manager, the Bluetooth adapter is missing. I have to select “View > Show hidden devices” to see it. Under “Device Status,” it says:

“Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45). To fix this problem, reconnect this hardware device to the computer.”

Sometimes it randomly comes back, but as soon as I try to use it again, it fails and disappears.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Could it be a driver issue, or is my MediaTek Bluetooth adapter actually dying on me? Any advice would be appreciated🙏

Answer 1

Hi,

Do you use a USB Bluetooth adapter, or the built-in Bluetooth on a laptop or motherboard?

If it's a USB Bluetooth adapter, could you tell me the model?

Thanks.

Answer 2

The symptoms match the common Windows Bluetooth failure pattern where the adapter drops, disappears from Settings/taskbar, and then only reappears after Windows redetects it. The supported fixes are driver recovery, power-setting changes, restarting the Bluetooth service, and running the built-in troubleshooter.

Try these in order:

1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • Next to Bluetooth, select Run.
   • This checks for common Bluetooth problems automatically.
2. Turn off Energy Saver
   • Select the battery icon on the taskbar.
   • If Energy Saver is on, turn it off.
   • This can interfere with Bluetooth connectivity.
3. Disable Bluetooth power saving in Device Manager
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Expand Bluetooth.
   • Right-click the Bluetooth device and open Properties.
   • On the Power Management tab, clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
   • This is one of the documented causes of repeated disconnects.
4. Restart the Bluetooth Support Service
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Type services.msc and select OK.
   • Find Bluetooth Support Service.
   • Right-click it and select Restart.
5. Update the Bluetooth driver
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Expand Bluetooth.
   • Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
   • Restart if prompted.
   • If Windows does not find a newer driver, get the latest Bluetooth driver from the PC manufacturer.
6. Reinstall the Bluetooth adapter
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Expand Bluetooth.
   • Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device.
   • Then select Start > Power > Shut down.
   • Wait a few seconds and turn the PC back on.
   • Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically.
   • If it does not, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.

What this means for the Code 45 message:

• In the provided guidance, when Bluetooth disappears from the UI or Device Manager, the recommended recovery path is to reinstall/redetect the adapter and update the driver.
• If the adapter keeps vanishing even after the steps above, the next documented step is to get the latest Bluetooth driver from the computer manufacturer.

Because the issue happens repeatedly after reconnecting AirPods, the most relevant first path is:

1. Turn off Energy Saver.
2. Disable Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
3. Restart Bluetooth Support Service.
4. Reinstall the adapter and let Windows redetect it.
5. Install the latest manufacturer Bluetooth driver if Windows does not fix it.

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References:

• Bluetooth keeps disconnecting in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows