blue tooth

Question

blue tooth

why cant i connect my bluetooth and i cant see the icon and cannot turn it on

Answer 1

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 (Intl, Realtek or MediaTek).

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 2

The correct first step depends on your Windows version: fully power-cycle a Windows 11 PC, or run the Bluetooth troubleshooter first on Windows 10.

1. Start with the matching Windows version

Windows 11

1. Hold down Shift.
2. While holding it, select Start → Power → Shut down.
3. Wait one minute, then turn the PC back on.
4. Check Settings → Bluetooth & devices for the Bluetooth switch.

Use Shut down, not Restart; this completely powers off the Bluetooth hardware. ^1^

Windows 10

1. Open the Get Help app from Start.
2. Search for Bluetooth troubleshooter.
3. Run the automated diagnostics and apply any recommended repair. ^1^

Also press Windows key + A and confirm that Airplane mode is off.

2. Check the Bluetooth adapter and driver

1. Right-click Start → Device Manager.
2. Expand Bluetooth.
3. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter—its name might contain Bluetooth or Radio.
4. Select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
5. Install any available driver and restart if prompted. ^1^

If Bluetooth appears in Device Manager but updating does not help:

1. Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device → Uninstall.
2. Shut down the computer, wait several seconds, and turn it on again.
3. Windows should reinstall the adapter.
4. If it does not, open Device Manager and select Action → Scan for hardware changes. ^2^

3. If Bluetooth is absent from Device Manager

Install the driver supplied specifically for your computer model:

1. Open your PC manufacturer’s support website.
2. Search using the exact laptop or desktop model.
3. Download and install its latest Bluetooth driver.
4. On Windows 11, also check Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates for Bluetooth, BIOS, UEFI, or firmware updates.
5. Restart and check whether the Bluetooth switch has returned. ^1^

If the adapter remains completely absent after installing the manufacturer’s driver and firmware, contact the PC manufacturer. A missing toggle can indicate that Windows cannot detect or enable the Bluetooth hardware.

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References

1. Windows 11
2. Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows | Microsoft Support