Windows 11 offers advanced ways to manage connected Bluetooth devices from the Device Manager menu. But what if the Bluetooth option disappears from the menu? You cannot update Bluetooth drivers or check device properties in detail. Here’s how to fix Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11.
Device Manager lists devices in alphabetical order. Normally, you will find the Bluetooth option at the top. Device Manager looks like this without the Bluetooth option. Let’s go ahead and fix the Bluetooth issue in Windows 11.
1. Enable and Disable Airplane Mode
Before we move on to any advanced solutions to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 11, let’s go through a few basic tricks.
Click on the sound icon in the Windows 11 taskbar and open the quickswitch menu. Activate airplane mode and keep it on for about 10 seconds. Disable it and open the Device Manager menu. Check if the Bluetooth option appears.
2. Re-plug the Bluetooth Adapter
This applies to those using a Bluetooth adapter on a Windows 11 PC. You may be using a Bluetooth adapter to enable Bluetooth functionality on your PC.
Unplug the adapter from the computer and reconnect it. You can also change the USB port and plug the device into another USB port to fix the problem.
3. Restart the Bluetooth Support Service
Bluetooth Support Service starts automatically in the background when you log on to Windows 11. If the service is having problems starting up, you need to enable it manually. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Press Windows + R keys and open the Run menu.
Step 2: Medicine services.msc In the Run dialog and press Enter.
Stage 3: Find the Bluetooth Support Service from the list.
Step 4: Double-click on it and open the Bluetooth Support Service Properties menu.
Step 5: Check the current status. If it has stopped, click on Start and hit Apply at the bottom.
You can enable the service automatically by going to Startup type from the same menu.
Restart your computer and open the Device Manager menu to confirm the Bluetooth option.
4. Reinstall USB Drivers
This option is valid when the Bluetooth adapter affects your PC due to a bad USB port.
Stage 1: Open the Device Manager menu and go to Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Step 2: Expand the menu and right click on USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
Stage 3: Select Remove device and confirm your decision.
Step 4: Right-click on your machine hostname (Your computer’s name is at the top, above Audio inputs and outputs) and select Scan for hardware changes.
The migration reinstalls the default hardware drivers and you should be able to connect a wireless mouse, keyboard, webcam, and more.
5. Show Hidden Devices
Maybe the Bluetooth option is hidden under the Device Manager menu. You need to make some changes in the Device Manager menu for it to appear.
Stage 1: Press the Windows key and search for Device Manager.
Step 2: Press enter and open the menu.
Stage 3: Click View at the top and select Show hidden devices.
Check if the Bluetooth option appears in the list.
6. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Windows 11 offers a built-in troubleshooter to fix Bluetooth-related issues on devices. Here’s how you can use it.
Stage 1: Press Windows + I keys and open the Settings menu.
Step 2: Go to System and open the Troubleshoot menu.
Stage 3: Select Other troubleshooters.
Step 4: Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter from the menu below and let Windows handle the Bluetooth issues.
7. Run System Scan
If you are in the habit of downloading files from the web from unknown sources, you may have installed corrupted files on your computer. There is a possibility that the files associated with the Bluetooth function may be corrupted in the process.
Run the ‘scannow’ command in the Command Prompt menu and clean up any such files.
Stage 1: Press the Windows key and search for Command Prompt.
Step 2: Press enter and open the menu. Medicine sfc /scannow Enter the command and press Enter.
Open the Device Manager menu and if Bluetooth is still not listed, try the DISM (Deployment Image Service Management) commands listed below.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Here’s what each command should do on the system.
- ControlHealth: Check for device corruption
- ScanHealth: Useful when CheckHealth cannot find errors
- fix your health: Restore corrupted files
8. Update Windows 11
Microsoft is still trying to find early glitches from the Windows 11 operating system. Missing Bluetooth in Device Manager could be due to an old build of Windows 11 on your PC.
Open Settings and go to the Windows Update menu. Download the latest OS build.
stay connected
Bluetooth connectivity is a vital part of everyone’s workflow. Missing functionality in Device Manager can frustrate you.
Which trick worked for you? Share your experience with our readers in the comments below.
