Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11

• If the Bluetooth entry is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11, you wouldn't be able to connect your favorite devices and peripherals anymore.
• To start fixing the issue, you can try running the Bluetooth troubleshooter and check the drivers. 
• Some other useful troubleshooting steps include system scans, and checking your system's critical services.

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We use Bluetooth on our computers more often than we realize. Be it to connect wireless speakers, headphones, or any other device. But, what do you if Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11?

This is one of the issues that leave users perplexed. While they had it running until some time ago, it suddenly disappears and users are unable to connect any of their previous connected devices to the computer.

In the following sections, we will take up this particular issue in detail listing out its causes, and walk you through the most effective fixes if Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11.

Why is Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11?

The very first thing you have to identify is whether your computer has a built-in Bluetooth feature or if it was an external adapter that you had been using. In case it’s the latter, make sure it’s properly plugged in and the USB port works fine.

Other than that, it could also be conflicting applications, issues with the driver, misconfigured settings, amongst a bunch of other issues. But, most of them are easily fixable, given you quickly identify the underlying cause.

In case you are unable to pinpoint a particular issue, simply execute the methods listed here to fix the Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 error.

What do I do if Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11?

1. Some basic checks

As stated earlier, if you are using an external Bluetooth adapter, unplug it and then reconnect it to another USB port on the computer, since there’s a chance that the port it’s currently plugged into is malfunctioning.

Also, make sure that Airplane mode is disabled via the action center or settings. Though it shouldn’t be the reason behind the Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11, there’s no harm in checking it.

Besides, some computers have a physical button to enable/disable Bluetooth. It could be a key on the keyboard or one located separately. Look for it and make sure that it’s not disabled.

If none of these fix the problem for you, head to the methods listed next.

2. Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode and then back into normal mode

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter System Configuration in the text field, and click on the relevant search result that appears.

Navigate to the Boot tab.

Select Safe Mode, tick the checkbox for Minimal under it, and then click on OK at the bottom.

Click on Restart in the prompt that pops up.

In some cases, it’s a process or service that’s leading to problems installing the driver, but when you boot Windows into Safe Mode, the driver can be easily installed in the absence of the conflicting process.

After following these steps, check if Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 problem is resolved.

3. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and click on Troubleshoot in the System tab.

Next, click on Other troubleshooters on the right.

Locate the Bluetooth troubleshooter, and click on the Run button next to it.

4. Check if Bluetooth is listed under hidden devices and update its driver

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.

Next, click on the View menu at the top, and select Show hidden devices from the dropdown menu.

If the Bluetooth entry now appears, right-click on it, and select Update driver from the context menu.

Next, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options in the Update Drivers window.

Most often than not, it’s an outdated driver that causes issues and leads to Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11. If that’s the case, updating the driver should fix the error.

The Device Manager method listed here only scans for updates that have already been downloaded to the system. In case this doesn’t work, you can try the other methods to update the driver.

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If that sounds like too much trouble, you can use a reliable third-party app. We recommend using DriverFix, a dedicated tool that will automatically install the latest version, and keep all the drivers up-to-date.

5. Run Bluetooth Support Service

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter services.msc in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Services window.

Now, locate the Bluetooth Support Service, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can just double-click on the service.

Click on the Startup type dropdown menu, and select Automatic from the list of options.

If the service is not running, click on the Start button under Service status, wait the service to start running, and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

6. Update Windows 11

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.

Next, click on Check for updates on the right.

If any newer versions are listed after the scan, click on Download & install.

If you are running an older version of Windows, chances are that it might cause some errors. Therefore, it’s recommended that you keep up-to-date with the latest version.

After updating the OS, make sure to restart the OS for the changes to fully come into effect, and then check if the Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 error is fixed.

7. Run SFC and DISM scan

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.

Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.

Now, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab.

After running these three, execute the following command to run the SFC scan.sfc /scannow

If the methods listed above have not worked, it could be corrupt system files behind the error. And, running the DISM tool and SFC scan are the best ways to eliminate these.

An SFC (System File Checker) scan looks for corrupt system files, and if any are found, replaces them with their cached copy stored on the computer.

The DISM tool looks for problems with the Windows image and can modify the Windows installation media to fix any issues.

8. Perform a system restore

If none of the fixes listed above have worked, it could be another problem. But no matter what it is, performing a system restore should help easily eliminate it.

When you restore the system, what exactly happens is that the system is taken back to a previous point. This is achieved by reconfiguring the settings, removing the recently installed applications, and undoing certain other changes.

So, if you have a restore point created before the error was first encountered, selecting it should get the problem resolved. In case things don’t turn out as expected, you can always undo a system restore.

Besides, if performing a restore doesn’t work, you can reset Windows 11 to its factory settings. This will surely get things up and running, and the Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 error would be fixed.

How to add a Bluetooth device in Windows 11?

Before you proceed with the steps listed below, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on the device that you are connecting, and that it’s in pairing mode.

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Bluetooth & devices from the tabs listed on the left.

Now, with the Bluetooth toggle enabled, click on the Add device option.

Select the relevant category, based on the device you are connecting.

Wait for the device to appear here and then click on it. For most devices, a connection should be established within a few seconds.

In case you are connecting a phone or other similar devices, it will ask to confirm whether the code appearing on the screen of both devices is the same. If it is, confirm the same on the device, and then click on Connect.

Once done, both the devices should now be connected. Also, this is a one-time process, and the devices will automatically be connected when they are in range the next time onwards, given that Bluetooth is enabled on both.

That’s all there’s to Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 error, and the most relevant fixes for it. Also, you now know how to connect any device to your computer via Bluetooth.

Besides, remember that there are multiple ways to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11, and a proper understanding of each will help you quickly enable it, no matter the state of the system.

Tell us which fix worked and your experience of Windows 11 thus far, in the comments section below.

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