The most common reason is that the Bluetooth service is turned off, or the driver is broken or does not match, often after a big update or resetting the BIOS. Other reasons include Bluetooth being turned off in the BIOS, hidden devices in Device Manager, or power settings that turn off Bluetooth.
1. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Windows provides several troubleshooters designed to fix common issues—including a Bluetooth Troubleshooter. This tool checks if your Bluetooth hardware is working with Windows and tries to reset and fix any problems it finds.
2. Boot into Safe Mode and Then Back to Normal Mode
Starting your computer in Safe Mode is like giving it a quick refresh. Windows checks devices again, which can help Bluetooth show up by making Windows find the drivers and fix any small problems that hide the Bluetooth option in normal mode.
3. Check the Bluetooth Service Configuration
If Bluetooth is missing from the Settings menu or the taskbar, the Bluetooth service might be turned off. By default, the service’s startup type is set to Manual. We can set it to Automatic and start it again to see if this fixes the issue. Note: Some devices may also have other related services, such as Bluetooth Driver Management System. Adjust these as needed.
4. Install the Default Bluetooth Drivers
Another common fix is to reinstall your Bluetooth drivers. You can uninstall the device and then let Windows search for the right drivers using Device Manager. Note: Make sure the device is enabled. If it is not, right-click the Bluetooth entry and choose Enable device. If the driver is damaged or out-of-date, right-click the device and select Update driver. Pick the automatic option and make sure you’re connected to the internet. Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it. If you still don’t get results, download the latest Bluetooth drivers from your computer or Bluetooth adapter manufacturer’s website and install them manually.
5. Enable Bluetooth on the Taskbar
To easily control Bluetooth from your taskbar, you can add the Bluetooth icon to the notification area.
If you don’t see the icon right away, click the upwards arrow on your taskbar to show hidden icons.
Hopefully, these steps will help you fix your Bluetooth issues. If you’re still having trouble, you might want to consider resetting your BIOS to the default factory settings.
