If Bluetooth is not working or the PC does not accept Bluetooth devices, use these steps in Windows:
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
- Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth > Run
- Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Bluetooth > Run the troubleshooter
- Update the Bluetooth driver in Device Manager.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Bluetooth
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter
- Select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software
- Restart the PC if prompted
- If Windows cannot find a driver, download the latest Bluetooth driver from the PC manufacturer’s website and install it.
- If the download is an .exe file, run it.
- If it contains .inf and .sys files:
- Open Device Manager
- Go to Bluetooth > adapter name
- Select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers
- Browse to the folder with the driver files
- Select Next to install
- If Bluetooth is missing but still appears in Device Manager, reinstall the adapter.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Bluetooth
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter
- Select Uninstall device
- Shut down the PC
- Turn it back on
- Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically
- If it does not, in Device Manager select Action > Scan for hardware changes
- If Bluetooth worked before a recent update, roll back the driver.
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Bluetooth
- Right-click the adapter > Properties
- Open the Driver tab
- Select Roll Back Driver if available
If there is no Bluetooth section in Device Manager, the PC may not have Bluetooth hardware, or the correct hardware driver is missing.
References:
- Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
- Update Bluetooth drivers in Windows
- Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
- How to install bluetooth driver on windows 11 pro - Microsoft Q&A I am trying to install bluetooth on my PC but when I attempt to install a bluetooth driver nothing seems to happen afterwards.