Fix missing Bluetooth Device Manager issue in Windows 11

We use Bluetooth on our computers more often than we realize. Whether connecting wireless speakers, headphones or any other device. But what if Bluetooth is missing from Windows 11’s Device Manager?

This is one of the questions that confuses users. Although they had been running it, it suddenly disappeared and the user was unable to connect any of their previously connected devices to the computer.

In the following sections, we will discuss this specific issue in detail, list its causes, and walk you through the most effective fixes when Bluetooth is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11.

Why is Bluetooth missing from Device Manager in Windows 11?

The first thing you want to determine is whether your computer has built-in Bluetooth functionality, or if it's an external adapter you've been using. If it's the latter, make sure it's plugged in correctly and the USB port is working properly.

Beyond that, it could be application conflicts, driver issues, configuration errors, and many other issues. However, most of them are easy to fix as long as you quickly identify the root cause.

If you are unable to pinpoint the specific issue, just follow the methods listed here to fix Bluetooth missing in Device Manager in Windows 11 error.

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

1. Some basic checks

As mentioned before, if you are using an external Bluetooth adapter, unplug it and reconnect it to another USB port on your computer , because the port it is currently plugged into may be faulty.

USB Bluetooth Adapter

Also, make sure to disable Airplane Mode through Action Center or Settings. While this shouldn't be the reason for the lack of Bluetooth in Windows 11's Device Manager, it doesn't hurt to check for it.

Also, some computers have a physical button to enable/disable Bluetooth. It can be a key on the keyboard or a separate key. Look for it and make sure it's not disabled.

If none of these solve the problem for you, please move on to the methods listed below.

2. Boot Windows 11 to safe mode and then back to normal mode

1. Press Windows S to launch the search menu, Enter System Configuration in the text field and click on the relevant search results that appear.
2. Navigate to the Bootstrap tab.
3. Select Safe Mode, check the Minimal checkbox below it, and click OK at the bottom.
4. Click to restart in the pop-up prompt.
5. After the system restarts, wait a few minutes, then start System Configuration again, uncheck the Safe Mode option, and then restart the computer.

In some cases it is the process or service that causes problems installing the driver, but when you boot Windows into Safe Mode, you can easily install the driver without the conflicting process program.

After performing these steps, check if the missing Bluetooth issue in Windows 11 Device Manager has been resolved.

3. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

1. Press Windows I to launch Settings, then click Troubleshooter in the System tab.
2. Next, click Other troubleshooters on the right.
3. Find the Bluetoothtroubleshooter and click the "Run" button next to it.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the relevant responses when prompted to complete the troubleshooting process.

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

1. Press Windows S to launch the search menu , enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search results that appear.
2. Next, click the View menu at the top and select Show hidden devices from the drop-down menu.
3. If the Bluetooth entry now appears, right-click on it and select Update Driver from the context menu.
4. Next, select Automatically search for drivers from the two options in the Update Driver window.
5. The operating system will now automatically search for the best driver available and install it for the Bluetooth device.

Most of the time it is an outdated driver that causes issues and causes Bluetooth to be missing from the Device Manager in Windows 11. If this is the case, updating the driver should fix the error.

The Device Manager methods listed here only scan for updates that have been downloaded to the system. If this doesn't work, you can try other methods to update the driver.

5. Run the Bluetooth support service

1. Press Windows R to start the "Run" command and enter in the text field services.msc, and then click "OK" or click Enter to start the "Services" window.
2. Now, find Bluetooth Support Service, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can double-click the service.
3. Click the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic from the list of options.
4. If the service is not running, click the Start button under the service status, wait for the service to start running, and then click OK at the bottom to save the changes.
5. Once completed, restart your computer for these changes to take full effect.

6. Update Windows 11

1. Press Windows I to launch the “Settings” app and then click on the left navigation window Select Windows Update from the list of tabs in the grid.
2. Next, click on the right to check for updates.
3. If any newer versions are listed after the scan, click Download and Install.

If you are running an older version of Windows, this may cause some errors. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay up to date with the latest versions.

After updating the operating system, make sure to restart the operating system for the changes to fully take effect, and then check if the Bluetooth missing error in Device Manager in Windows 11 has been fixed.

7. Run SFC and DISM scan

1. Press Windows S to launch the search menu and enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top , right-click the relevant search result and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
2. Click Yes on the pop-up UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
3. Now, click on the down arrow at the top and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can click Ctrl in a new tab Shift2 to launch the Command Prompt.
4. Type/paste the following three commands individually and Enterclick after each command to run the DISM tool. <strong>DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth</strong><strong>DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth</strong>##DISM / Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth<strong></strong>
After running these three, execute the following command to run the
5. SFC scan. sfc /scannow<strong></strong>

If the methods listed above don’t work, there could be a corrupted system file behind the error. Also, running the DISM tool and SFC scan is the best way to eliminate these issues.

SFC (System File Checker) scans look for corrupted system files and, if found, replace them with cached copies stored on your computer.

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

8. Perform a System Restore

If none of the fixes listed above work, another problem may be the problem. But whatever it is, performing a system restore should help eliminate it easily.

When you restore a system, what exactly happens is that the system is brought back to a previous point. This is accomplished by reconfiguring settings, deleting recently installed apps, and undoing certain other changes.

So if you created a restore point before you first encountered the error, selecting it should resolve the issue. If things don't go as expected, you can undo System Restore at any time.

Also, if performing a restore doesn't work, you can reset Windows 11 to factory settings. This will definitely be up and running and the Bluetooth missing from Device Manager in Windows 11 error will be fixed.

How to add a Bluetooth device in Windows 11?

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

Press
1. Windows I to launch the Settings app and select Bluetooth & Devices from the tabs listed on the left.
Now, after enabling the Bluetooth toggle, click on the
2. Add Device option.
Select the relevant category based on the device you want to connect.
3. 
Wait for the device to appear here, then click on it. For most devices, the connection should be established within a few seconds.
4. 
If you are connecting a mobile phone or other similar device, it will ask to confirm that the code displayed on the screen of both devices is the same. If so, confirm on your device and click
5. Connect.

Once completed, both devices should now be connected. Additionally, this is a one-time process and the device will automatically connect the next time it comes within range, provided both have Bluetooth enabled.

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

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