Bluetooth missing in Windows: how to get it back

The Bluetooth switch is gone from Settings, or the Bluetooth tile has disappeared from quick settings, so you cannot connect any Bluetooth device. Check the simple causes first and then the driver.

Before you start

Windows needs a Bluetooth adapter (the small radio chip or USB stick) and a working driver (software that lets Windows use it). When Bluetooth vanishes, the cause is usually Airplane mode, a driver or firmware problem, or a glitch that a full shutdown clears. Microsoft says Bluetooth hardware errors are typically caused by problems with the drivers or firmware supplied by the PC maker.

A desktop PC may have no Bluetooth adapter at all. If it never had Bluetooth, see adding Bluetooth to a desktop PC. Otherwise the checks take about 15 minutes. Nothing here deletes your files.

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Turn off Airplane mode

This takes 1 minute.

1. Press Windows + A to open quick settings.
2. If the Airplane mode tile is on, select it to turn it off.
3. Open Settings then Bluetooth & devices on Windows 11, or Settings then Devices then Bluetooth & other devices on Windows 10. The Bluetooth switch should be back.

On a laptop, some models also have a keyboard key or a hardware switch for wireless. Check the key row and the sides of the laptop.

Fix 2: Shut down fully and start again

Microsoft lists a full power-off as a fix on Windows 11, because it powers off the Bluetooth hardware as well. On Windows 10, a restart is the step Microsoft lists. This takes about 3 minutes.

1. Save your work.
2. On Windows 11, hold Shift while you select Start, then Power, then Shut down. Choose Shut down, not Restart. Wait one minute, then turn the PC on.
3. On Windows 10, select Start, then Power, then Restart.
4. Check for the Bluetooth switch.

Fix 3: Look in Device Manager

Device Manager lists the hardware Windows can see. This takes about 2 minutes.

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager. On Windows 10, you can also select Start, type Device Manager and open it.
2. Look for a section called Bluetooth. Select the arrow to expand it.
3. If the section is there, go to Fix 4. If a section is missing, Windows may not see the adapter at all. Go to Fix 5 and then see "If it still does not work".

Fix 4: Update the Bluetooth driver

Get drivers only from Windows Update or from your PC maker's own support page. Never use a driver-updater tool or a download site. This takes about 5 minutes.

1. In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth.
2. Right-click the adapter and select Update driver.
3. Select Search automatically for drivers (on Windows 10 it may read Search automatically for updated driver software).
4. Follow the prompts, select Close, and restart if asked.

For general driver advice, see fixing driver problems in Device Manager.

Fix 5: Install Windows updates

Updates can include Bluetooth drivers and firmware. This takes 5 to 20 minutes.

On Windows 11

1. Open Settings then Windows Update and select Check for updates.
2. Open Settings then Windows Update then Advanced options then Optional updates.
3. Tick the updates offered for your PC, select Download & install, then select Restart now.

On Windows 10

1. Open Settings then Update & Security then Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates and install anything offered.
3. Restart the PC.

If no optional update appears, look on your PC maker's support site for BIOS, UEFI or firmware updates for your exact model. Follow the maker's instructions closely, and keep a laptop plugged in during a firmware update. If updates stall, see Windows Update stuck or failing.

Fix 6: Restart the Bluetooth service and run the troubleshooter

This takes about 5 minutes.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and select OK.
2. Scroll to Bluetooth Support Service, right-click it, and select Restart. If Restart is gray, select Start.
3. Open the Get Help app from the search box and run its Bluetooth troubleshooter. Microsoft also links to it from its Bluetooth help pages.

If it still does not work

• If Device Manager shows no Bluetooth section and no unknown device, the adapter may be switched off in the BIOS or UEFI, or may have failed. Changing BIOS settings is risky, so use your PC maker's support page for your model rather than guessing.
• On a desktop PC, a USB Bluetooth adapter may be loose. Unplug it, try another USB port, and see USB device not recognized.
• Once the switch is back, see pairing Bluetooth on Windows or Bluetooth won't pair or connect.

Frequently asked questions