Fix: Bluetooth Missing and Disappeared on Windows 10

Bluetooth goes missing in your system’s Settings mainly because of issues in the integration of the Bluetooth software/frameworks or due to an issue with the hardware itself. There can also be other situations where Bluetooth disappears from the Settings because of bad drivers, conflicting applications etc.

First of all, you should check if Bluetooth hardware is indeed present on your device (or your system supports Bluetooth). If it is, it means that there isn’t a proper configuration because of which you are facing this difficulty. Take a look at the solutions listed down below.

Boot into Safe Mode and then Back to Normal Mode

1. Hold the Windows Key and Press R. Type msconfig and click OK
2. Go to the Boot tab and put a check on Safe Boot. Check Safe Mode in Boot Tab
3. Reboot the PC and it should boot into Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, the drivers should be installed automatically.
4. Repeat Step 1 and 2 to uncheck Safe Boot and boot back into Normal mode and check to see if the issue is resolved.

Checking the Bluetooth Service

The most common reason why Bluetooth doesn’t show in Settings is that its service isn’t enabled. By default, the service startup type is set as Manual instead of Automatic. We can try starting the service again, changing it to automatic and check if this solves the problem.

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run application. Type “services.msc” in the dialogue box and press Enter. Type “services.msc” into the Run dialog and press Enter
2. Once in Services, navigate through all the entries until you find “Bluetooth Support Service”. Double-click the service to launch its properties.

Do note that in some devices, there may be other services as well such as ‘Bluetooth Driver Management System, etc.”. Make sure that you perform these changes to all of them.

Bluetooth Support Service

1. Start the service first by clicking the “Start” button and set the startup type as “Automatic”. Press Apply to save changes and exit.

Set Bluetooth Support Service Startup Type as Automatic

1. Go to settings by pressing Windows + I and then navigate to “Devices” and check if the problem is resolved.

Installing the Default Drivers

Another workaround to solve this problem is to install the default drivers for the hardware. We can do this by uninstalling the device and then checking for hardware using the device manager.

1. Press Windows + R, type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialogue box and press Enter. Run devmgmt.msc
2. Once in the device manager, expand the category of “Bluetooth”. Your Bluetooth hardware will be listed here. Right-click on it and select “Uninstall”.

Uninstall Device in Device Manager

1. The Bluetooth category will completely vanish from the device manager. This means that the device was successfully uninstalled.

Bluetooth Category Disappeared From Device Manager

1. If you cannot see Bluetooth devices there, click on View menu, then click on Show Hidden Devices. Clicking on the “Show Hidden Devices” option
2. Right-click on any space and select “Scan for hardware changes”. Your computer will now scan all the hardware connected. After it comes across the Bluetooth hardware, it will automatically install the default drivers.

Scan for Hardware Changes in Device Manager

1. Open the Bluetooth category again and check if the driver was successfully installed.

Check Bluetooth Category

1. Now you can check if the option is back in the settings. If it isn’t, restart your computer and check again. Do note that you might have to scan for hardware changes more than once if it doesn’t detect it on the first try.

Note: You should also check if the device is enabled. Right-click on the device and select “Enable device”.

In rare cases, the driver for your hardware is corrupt or isn’t compatible. In that case, right-click on the device, and select “Update driver”. There will be two options available (Automatic and Manual). Opt for automatic and make sure that you have an active internet connection. Windows will now search for drivers online and update them.

If you can’t find any drivers automatically, try using the manual method and install the drivers after downloading them from the manufacturer’s website.

Enabling Bluetooth using the Physical Key

On many laptops, there is a separate key present for enabling/disabling the Bluetooth device. Make sure that the Bluetooth is indeed enabled using that physical key on your laptop.

Many laptops have a shortcut of Bluetooth on their keyboard. These keys are usually Fn + F12 etc. Check your keyboard thoroughly and make sure that Bluetooth is indeed enabled. It seems that the physical keys always override the software so software alone cannot start/initiate your Bluetooth.

Enabling Bluetooth on the Taskbar

If you want to add Bluetooth to your notification area, you can do so easily by changing the settings. By having it on your Taskbar, you can perform actions but just right-clicking the icon instead of navigating to settings and performing them there.

Add Bluetooth to the Notification Area

1. Press Windows + S to launch the search bar. Type “Bluetooth” in the dialogue box and open the most relevant application which comes forth.

Open Bluetooth from Windows Start Menu

1. On the left side of the screen, there will be additional options. Select “More Bluetooth options”.

Open More Bluetooth Options

1. Once in Bluetooth settings, check the box which says “Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area”. Press Apply to save changes and exit. The Bluetooth icon will automatically be present on your taskbar.

If you can’t see it, press the arrow on the taskbar to show hidden icons. It will most probably be present there.

Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area

Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has many built-in troubleshooters to help users in solving many Windows 10 problems. It has a dedicated Bluetooth Troubleshooter as well. This troubleshooter automatically checks your existing Bluetooth hardware and makes sure that it is integrated with the OS properly. If it isn’t, it will try to reinitialize everything again from scratch and reconfigure the hardware. This may take some time so make sure you let the process complete.

1. Press Windows key, type Troubleshoot and then click on Troubleshoot Settings. Open Troubleshoot Settings
2. In the right pane of the window, scroll down and Find Bluetooth.
3. Now click on Bluetooth and then click on Run This Troubleshooter. Run The Bluetooth Troubleshooter
4. Now follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
5. Once the troubleshooter has completed its process, restart the system and check if the Bluetooth icon is back.

Hopefully, your system is clear of the Bluetooth problem. If not, then try to reset your BIOS to “Factory Settings“.

Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10

If you run into problems trying to connect to a Bluetooth device, here are some troubleshooting steps to try.

Note: For general info about how to connect a Bluetooth device to your PC, see Connect a Bluetooth device in Windows.

Before you start

Check these things before you start troubleshooting Bluetooth on your device:

Check your product information

If you’re setting up a new device and Bluetooth is missing, check the product specifications to make sure it has Bluetooth capabilities. Some devices don’t have Bluetooth.

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on

If you’re using a laptop with a physical Bluetooth switch on the body, make sure it’s switched on.

In Windows 10, there are two ways to check if Bluetooth is turned on. Here’s how:

Check in the taskbar. Select action center ( or ). If you don’t see Bluetooth, select Expand to reveal Bluetooth , then select Bluetooth to turn it on. You’ll see “Not connected” if your Windows 10 device isn’t paired to any Bluetooth accessories.

Check in Settings. Select Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

When you turn Bluetooth on in Settings, the following message appears immediately:

«Now discoverable as computer_name>«

Check your Bluetooth device

Make sure your device is turned on, is charged or has fresh batteries, and is in range of the PC you want to connect to. Then, try the following:

Turn off your Bluetooth device, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

Make sure your Bluetooth device is in range. If your Bluetooth device is unresponsive or sluggish, check to make sure it’s not too close to any other USB device that’s plugged into a USB 3.0 port. Unshielded USB devices can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connections.

Check your PC

On the PC you want to pair to:

Make sure airplane mode is off: Select Start , then select Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode . Make sure Airplane mode is turned off.

Turn Bluetooth on and off: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . Turn off Bluetooth, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

Remove the Bluetooth device, then add it again: Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices .. In Bluetooth, select the device you’re having problems connecting to, and then select Remove device > Yes. To learn more about pairing your Bluetooth device again, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

When Bluetooth doesn’t work or the Bluetooth icon is missing

Try these steps if your Bluetooth isn’t working. Here are some other common problems:

The Bluetooth icon is missing or Bluetooth can’t be turned on or off.

Bluetooth doesn’t work after a Windows 10 update is installed.

Bluetooth doesn’t work after you upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

Bluetooth doesn’t appear in Device Manager, and there are no unknown devices listed.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

Select Start , then select Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot . In Find and fix other problems, select Bluetooth, and then select Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.

If you recently upgraded to Windows 10 or installed Windows 10 updates, the current driver may have been designed for an earlier version of Windows. To automatically check for driver updates:

In the search box on the taskbar, search for Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.

In Device Manager, select Bluetooth, and then select the Bluetooth adapter name, which may include the word “radio.”

Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter, and then select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software. Follow the steps, then select Close.

After installing the updated driver, select the Start button, select Power > Restart if you’re prompted to restart, and then check whether that fixes the connection issue.

If Windows can’t find a new Bluetooth driver, visit the PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest Bluetooth driver from there.

Important: An outdated or incompatible driver is one of the most common causes of Bluetooth connection problems.

To manually install the Bluetooth driver:

Go to your PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver. Then do one of the following:

If you downloaded an executable (.exe) file, just double-click the file to run it and install the drivers. That should be all you need to do.

If you downloaded individual files, and at least one file has an .inf file name extension and another has a .sys extension, do the following:

In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.

In Device Manager, select Bluetooth > the Bluetooth adapter name. (If it’s not listed there, check in Other devices.)

Press and hold (or right-click) the network adapter, and then select Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software.

Select Browse, select the location where the driver files are stored, and then select OK.

Select Next, and follow the steps to install the driver. When the installation is finished, select Close.

After you’ve updated the driver, select the Start button, select Power > Restart if you’re prompted to restart, and check whether that fixes the connection issue.

If you don’t see the Bluetooth icon, but Bluetooth does appear in Device Manager, try to uninstall the Bluetooth adapter and trigger an automatic reinstall. Here’s how:

In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager from the results.

In Device Manager, select Bluetooth. Press and hold (or right-click) the Bluetooth adapter name (which may include the word “radio”), and select Uninstall device.

Select Start , then select Power > Shut down .

After your device shuts down, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Windows will try to reinstall the driver.

If Windows doesn’t reinstall the driver automatically, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.

Note: You may need to contact your PC or other hardware manufacturer to obtain the latest drivers for your Bluetooth adapter.

If these methods don’t fix your Bluetooth problem, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft determine the root cause of this issue.

Include details about what you were doing or specific steps you were taking when the bug occurred. For example, if you started having Bluetooth problems after updating Windows or changing Windows versions, include this information.

Note: If your school or workplace manages your device and you don’t see the Bluetooth icon, it may be disabled by your organization. Check with your system administrator.

Troubleshoot problems with Bluetooth accessories

If you can turn on Bluetooth but are having problems pairing or using a Bluetooth accessory, use the following methods for troubleshooting common problems with Bluetooth accessories.

You should also check your device manufacturer’s website, especially if you have other Bluetooth devices that are working. The device manufacturer will probably have more detailed, product-specific information and troubleshooting steps.

To get started, select a heading to see more info.

If you’re prompted to enter a PIN to use your device, but you don’t know the PIN:

Check the device’s documentation for a pin, or look for one on the device itself.

Try 0000 or 1234.

If you’re prompted to enter a PIN, but you don’t see a place to enter one on your PC’s screen, type 0000 on your Bluetooth keyboard and press Enter.

Try to remove the device, then pair it again. Your device might be paired, but not connected—Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and pens connect only when necessary.
To remove a Bluetooth device, select Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . Select the Bluetooth device that’s paired but not working, then select Remove device > Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If you’re having problems connecting a Bluetooth audio device or hearing sound:

Make sure the audio device is within range of your PC.

Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. Select Start , then select Settings > System > Sound . In Choose your output device, select the Bluetooth device.

If your device displays as Paired but you can’t hear audio, make sure it’s connected. Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . In Bluetooth, select the device, and then select Connect.

Try unpairing, then re-pairing, the device. To unpair a device, select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices . Select the Bluetooth device that’s paired but not working, then select Remove device > Yes. After that, pair the device again. For more info on pairing devices, see Connect a Bluetooth device.

If your device is connected, but the audio quality is poor:

Make sure the audio is playing through the Bluetooth device. Select Start , then select Settings > System > Sound . In Choose your output device, select the Bluetooth audio device.

Pause other things that might be using Bluetooth, such as file-sharing over Bluetooth. For more info, see Fix sound problems in Windows 10.

Verify that stereo is selected for the Bluetooth device in order to ensure the best quality audio. To do this:

On the right side of the taskbar, click Volume and then select the chevron icon to choose a playback device.

Select the Bluetooth device, and make sure the Stereo option is selected. (The lower-audio quality option is Hands-Free.)

If stereo is not available as an option, remove the device in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and then re-add the device. Then, check the Volume panel again to make sure that stereo is selected.

If your Bluetooth volume controls no longer work after you install a Windows update, follow these steps.

Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For added protection, back up the registry before attempting to modify it.

Make sure you’ve installed the latest updates from Windows Update. (A solution for this issue was included in the October 24, 2018—KB4462933 (OS Build 17134.376) update for Windows 10 version 1803.)

To check for updates, select Start , and then go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Manually disable the Absolute Volume feature by making a change in the registry. To do this, select Start and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt in the Search results and select Run as administrator.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

You may need to restart Windows for the registry change to take effect.

To re-enable the Absolute Volume feature, type the following command in the Command Prompt window:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f