Bluetooth disappeared (Windows 11)

Anonymous
2021-12-16T02:29:27+00:00

Update: Resolved issue by disconnecting PC from power (unplugging from wall) for 10 minutes and then restarting. Baffling.

Bluetooth services disappeared several weeks ago and I've been trying to get it back. Here's what I've found so far:

  • Bluetooth troubleshooter couldn't solve it
  • Restarting Bluetooth Services - I have done this, and have set all to start automatically however BluetoothUserService_5aacd will not allow me to move it from Manual to Automatic, I get a "The parameter is incorrect" error
  • I uninstalled and reinstalled the BT drivers, which did not fix the issue
  • I have uninstalled Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) within Device Manager, and restarted computer, which reinstalled the Intel BT but did not fix the issue (note: my Device Manager is constantly refreshing/ flashing, unsure if related)

Thank you in advance for your help!

EDIT: I was able to update BluetoothUserSErvice to start automatically at start up, correcting the "parameter is incorrect error". This did not resolve my bluetooth problem.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2022-01-08T22:04:00+00:00

Hi ADP,

Sharing my experience with the hope that it helps others resolve their bluetooth issue as well. My bluetooth had disappeared suddenly without any cause or reason and it did not come back by reinstalling the device drivers, or resetting the bluetooth services, or by trying a lot of other solutions. Bluetooth had disappeared from Device Manager and replaced with a mystery USB device. Nothing seemed to bring it back.

Eventually what worked is to shut down the laptop completely and disconnect the power cable and kept it shut for about 10 minutes before starting it up again. (make sure it is fully shut down and not sleep and not restarted)

Laptop : Asus zendesk with Windows 11 Pro 21H2 (updated to the latest fixes). Uses Intel Wireless Bluetooth drivers.

The solution is based on the following thread with similar issues for Windows 10. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/bluetooth-capability-not-detected-windows-10/0db9ce62-eba9-4b85-9e5c-15336f41bfe3?page=2

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-01-08T07:52:31+00:00

    I have a similar problem. I turned off bluetooth on the "bluetooth & other devices" settings page this morning, using the bluetooth button.

    Tonite, I come back to this page, there is no more bluetooth button.

    There is no bluetooth device in the device mgr.

    Bluetooth troubleshooting says "Device does not have Bluetooth. Please try using an external adapter...."

    The bluetooth & other devices settings page shows all the devices (headphones &c) that it's used recently, each saying bluetooth is turned off.

    The bluetooth services appear to be running eg Bluetooth Support Service

    There appear to be bluetooth drivers installed (using one of those driver survey tools) but, since the device no longer appears, I can't say any more about it.

    I then found the bluetooth device in device manager was hidden for unknown reasons, so I told it to show this device & checked a few drivers. The system says they are all the latest. Making it visible did not make the bluetooth troubleshooter any happier or bring back the bluetooth button on the bluetooth settings page.

    I tried a few of the other links above, many can't be followed easily and/or didn't help

    This is an older Windows desktop that's been upgraded about 4 days ago to Windows 10, version 21H2 from whatever the previous rev was.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-02-03T11:38:50+00:00

    I've just had this problem....twice now!! Essentially, with no warning or error, a perfectly working Bluetooth setup suddenly disappears the follow time the PC is booted up. Both occasions appear to occur after a WIndows Update.

    My system is a fairly new Dell Inspiron 3881 (10th Gen) i7 Desktop, running Windows 11.

    The 1st time this happened was after the Windows 10 > 11 upgrade via Windows Update. After the reboot..no Bluetooth. I checked the available Network Connections spotted the Bluetooth Network Connection as "Not enabled", I noticed the Device Manager had no Bluetooth hardware listed. So I simply re-download the Qualcomm Bluetooth adapter driver from the Dell website and all capability returned after a reboot.

    The 2nd time was a little more involved. A "cumulative update" was installed yesterday via Windows Update, no reboot required and no effect on Bluetooth Capabilities. But this morning, booted up PC, no Bluetooth:

    • After trying a few things suggested in this thread nothing worked.
    • Checking Network connection revealed no Bluetooth connection this time (disabled or otherwise).
    • Device Manager also showed no Bluetooth hardware. I did notice a faulty USB device down in the USB list (listed as unknown as description request failed, so no Hardware ID or any means to identify what this is). I did note the location though. Status of "disabled as Windows has found a problem with this device".
    • Device Manager showed Bluetooth hardware after unhiding. All listed Bluetooth devices were all "grayed" (this includes all the (Bluetooth) connected devices). I located the actual Bluetooth Adapter and looked up its properties; Status of "This device is not connected to this computer". I also noticed the Device Location as exactly the same as the Faulty USB device.
    • So uninstalled the Bluetooth Adapter and the faulty USB device and rebooted.
    • Bluetooth Capability Restored!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-01-08T19:38:47+00:00

    Bizarrely (but gladly) bluetooth returned.

    I did sfc /scannow &

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

    no problems found.

    I uninstalled the bluetooth main devices in the hidden device.

    I also uninstalled a mystery usb device that was failing according to device mgr

    After 2 reboots - I killed the first one because the system stalled after apparently starting up ok - my bluetooth headphones said "connected" near the end of the reboot.

    Checking, the bluetooth devices returned & no longer hidden. The mystery usb erroring device is seemingly not present.

    Bluetooth is working for the moment.

    I am not sure what is going on of course. I don't know whether the bluetooth hardware is on USB or not - if it is it has to be internal on this old desktop because there is no external dongle. I'll have to dig up the specs & see if I can find out.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-12-16T03:09:50+00:00

    Hi ADP. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

    Many Bluetooth problems right now are being solved by updating to the latest version of Windows 10 so if you want to try that first skip to Step 11. If not then even if you've tried a step please try it again in this sequence:

    1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

    https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

    System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

    If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s... in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button.

    1. Try Updating the Bluetooth driver from the PC maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. Install it even if it's the same or newer than the one in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. While there check that you also have the latest chipset, BIOS, display, network, USB and all other drivers, compared to the ones presently installe
    2. Right click Start button to access Device Manager, locate Bluetooth device (if necessary from View tab Show Hidden Devices), on Driver tab see if Roll Back is available, if not try Update Driver, first automatically, then Browse, then Let Me Pick to try all previously installed Drivers.

    If these fail Uninstall the Driver, restart PC to reinstall. If the BT driver is not there, access the View tab in Device Manager to "Show Hidden Devices."

    1. Make sure you're pairing correctly as shown here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15290/...
    2. Try Fixes here which are all working:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix...

    https://thegeekpage.com/bluetooth-not-working-o...

    https://windowsreport.com/bluetooth-not-working... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

    https://www.howtogeek.com/508895/how-to-trouble...

    https://www.lifewire.com/fix-windows-10-bluetoo...

    https://net2.com/how-to-fix-bluetooth-problems-...

    https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/how-to-fix-blueto...

    https://superuser.com/questions/1017867/make-wi...

    https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/bluetooth-not-wor...

    Try these additional fixes for Bluetooth adapter disappears after Windows 10 Update:

    https://howtofixwindows.com/bluetooth-disappear...

    https://www.guidingtech.com/fix-bluetooth-missi...

    https://windowsreport.com/bluetooth-disappeared... (Avoid ad links!)

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    1. Try the Bluetooth troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
    2. Try turning off Fast Startup at Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do > Change settings that are unavailable > uncheck Fast Startup.
    3. If this was caused by a Version Update then for 10 days you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool which is explained more here:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

    If that doesn't work you can also Go Back in Repair Mode as shown here:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

    You can also let the Updates install again as they may not cause the same problem, then if they do use one of the above methods to remove and block them.

    1. If you think the BT adapter has failed, you can replace it easily with a USB nano adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/ZEXMTE-Bluetooth-Receive...?
    2. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

    1. If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1909 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m....

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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