Windows 10 Bluetooth Missing? Here are the Easy Fixes

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Windows 10 Bluetooth Driver Missing
Windows 10 Bluetooth Driver Missing

Windows 10 Bluetooth missing? Try out our solutions to get rid from these issues. Bluetooth goes missing in your system’s Settings mainly because of issues in integrating the Bluetooth software/frameworks or a problem with the hardware itself. There can also be other situations where Bluetooth escapes from the Settings because of bad drivers, conflicting applications, etc.

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

Windows 10 Bluetooth Missing
Windows 10 Bluetooth Missing

Windows 10 Bluetooth Missing? Try These Solutions 

Boot into Safe Mode and then Back to Normal Mode 

  1. Hold the Windows Key and Press R. Type MSConfig and click OK.
  2. Enter to the Boot tab and put a check on Safe Boot.
  3. Reboot the PC, and it should boot into Safe Mode. Once in the Safe Mode, the drivers should be installed automatically.
  4. Repeat Steps 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 obvious 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 rather than Automatic. We can try starting the service again, changing it to automatic, and verify if this solves the problem.

  • Hit Windows + R to launch the Run app. Enter services.msc in the dialogue box and press Enter.
  •  Enter services.msc into the Run dialog and press Enter.
  • 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 additional services as well such as Bluetooth Driver Management System, etc.. Make sure that you achieve these changes to all of them.

  • Start the service first by hitting the Start button and set the startup type as Automatic. Hit Apply to save changes and exit.
  • Enter 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 difficulty is to install the default drivers for the hardware. We can do this by uninstalling the device and then monitoring for hardware using the device manager.

  • Hit Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc in the dialogue box, and press Enter.
  • Once in the device manager, expand the category of “Bluetooth.” Your Bluetooth hardware will be listed here. Right-click on it and select “Uninstall.”
  • The Bluetooth category will totally vanish from the device manager. This implies that the device was successful y uninstalled.
  • If you cannot see Bluetooth devices there, click on the View menu, then click on Show Hidden Devices.
  • Right-click on any space and hit Scan for hardware changes. Your system will now scan all the hardware connected. After it gets across the Bluetooth hardware, it will automatically install the default drivers.
  • Enter in the Bluetooth category again and check if the driver was successfully installed.
  • Now you can monitor if the option is back in the settings. If it isn’t, restart your system and check again. Do note that you might have to scan for hardware changes more than once if it doesn’t recognize it on the first try.

Note: You should also check if the device is allowed. Right-hit on the device and select Enable device.

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

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

Enabling Bluetooth using the Physical Key

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

Various laptops have a shortcut of Bluetooth on their keyboard. These keys are normally Fn + F12 etc. Check your keyboard completely and make sure that Bluetooth is indeed enabled. It looks that the physical keys always override the software, so software alone cannot begin/initiate your Bluetooth.

Enabling Bluetooth on the Taskbar

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

  • Hit Windows + S to launch the search bar. Enter Bluetooth in the dialogue box and open the most relevant app which comes forth.
  • On the left side of the screen, there will be further options. Select “More Bluetooth options.”
  • 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 started on your taskbar.

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

Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

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

  • Press the Windows key, type Troubleshoot and then click on Troubleshoot Settings.
  • In the right pane of the window, scroll down and See Bluetooth.
  • Now click on Bluetooth and then hit on Run This Troubleshooter.
  • Now follow the directions displayed on the screen.
  • Once the troubleshooter has finished its process, restart the system and check if the Bluetooth icon is back.

Surely, your system is clear of the Bluetooth problem. If not, then attempt to reset your BIOS to Factory Settings.