Fix Windows 11 Bluetooth Not Working (2026 Guide)

Bluetooth lets you connect wireless devices like headphones, mice, keyboards, and speakers to your Windows 11 PC. When Windows 11 Bluetooth stops working, you can't pair or connect any of these devices—this can severely disrupt your workflow.

This guide covers 8 proven solutions to fix Bluetooth issues in Windows 11, including Bluetooth not appearing in Settings, not detecting devices, or failing to connect.

PAGE CONTENT

• Common Windows 11 Bluetooth Problems
• Fix 1: Check if Bluetooth Is Enabled
• Fix 2: Restart the Bluetooth Service
• Fix 3: Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
• Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers
• Fix 5: Remove and Re-pair Devices
• Fix 6: Restart Bluetooth Support Service
• Fix 7: Run SFC and DISM Scans
• Fix 8: Check for Windows Updates
• FAQs About Windows 11 Bluetooth Issues
• Back Up and Restore Windows with Qiling Disk Master

Common Windows 11 Bluetooth Problems

Users report various Bluetooth issues in Windows 11:

• Bluetooth option is missing from Settings or Action Center
• Bluetooth toggle is greyed out or won't turn on
• PC can't detect or find Bluetooth devices
• Bluetooth devices won't pair or connect
• Connected Bluetooth devices keep disconnecting
• No sound from Bluetooth headphones or speakers
• Bluetooth devices connect but don't work properly
• Bluetooth disappears after a Windows update

Fix 1: Check if Bluetooth Is Enabled

First, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Go to "Bluetooth & devices".

Step 3. Make sure the "Bluetooth" toggle is turned on.

Step 4. If you don't see the Bluetooth toggle, try the other fixes below.

Step 5. You can also check in the Action Center: press Win + A and look for the Bluetooth icon. If it's not there, Bluetooth may be disabled or missing.

Fix 2: Restart the Bluetooth Service

The Bluetooth Support Service manages all Bluetooth operations. If it's not running, Bluetooth won't work.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2. Scroll down and find "Bluetooth Support Service".

Step 3. Right-click and select "Properties".

Step 4. Set "Startup type" to "Automatic".

Step 5. Under "Service status", if it shows "Stopped", click "Start". If it shows "Running", click "Stop" then "Start" to restart it.

Step 6. Click "OK" and check if Bluetooth works.

Fix 3: Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a built-in Bluetooth troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common issues.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Go to "System" > "Troubleshoot" > "Other troubleshooters".

Step 3. Find "Bluetooth" and click "Run".

Step 4. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan for issues. It will try to fix them automatically.

Step 5. After it completes, check if Bluetooth works.

Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers

Outdated or corrupted Bluetooth drivers are the most common cause of Bluetooth issues. Updating or reinstalling them usually fixes the problem.

Update Bluetooth Drivers

Step 1. Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".

Step 2. Expand "Bluetooth".

Step 3. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter (e.g., "Intel Wireless Bluetooth" or "Qualcomm Bluetooth") and select "Update driver".

Step 4. Choose "Search automatically for drivers" and follow the prompts.

Step 5. Alternatively, download the latest driver from your PC manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) or from the Bluetooth adapter manufacturer (Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom).

Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers

Step 1. In Device Manager, expand "Bluetooth".

Step 2. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter and select "Uninstall device".

Step 3. Check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" if available.

Step 4. Click "Uninstall".

Step 5. Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the Bluetooth driver.

Fix 5: Remove and Re-pair Devices

If a specific Bluetooth device won't connect, try removing and re-pairing it.

Step 1. Press Win + I > "Bluetooth & devices".

Step 2. Find the device that won't connect and click the three dots next to it.

Step 3. Click "Remove device" and confirm.

Step 4. Turn the device off and on, and put it in pairing mode (check the device's manual for instructions).

Step 5. In Settings, click "Add device" > "Bluetooth".

Step 6. Select your device from the list and follow the prompts to pair it.

Fix 6: Restart Bluetooth Support Service

Sometimes the Bluetooth Support Service gets stuck and needs a restart.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2. Find "Bluetooth Support Service".

Step 3. Right-click and select "Restart".

Step 4. Also restart "Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service" and "Bluetooth Support Service" if present.

Step 5. Close Services and check if Bluetooth works.

Fix 7: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted system files can cause Bluetooth to malfunction. Run SFC and DISM to repair them.

Step 1. Press Win + X and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)".

Step 2. Run DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 3. Run SFC:

sfc /scannow

Step 4. Wait for both scans to complete. If corrupted files are found and repaired, restart your PC.

Fix 8: Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases Bluetooth driver updates through Windows Update. Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Go to "Windows Update" > "Check for updates".

Step 3. Install any available updates, including optional driver updates.

Step 4. If a recent update caused the Bluetooth issue, uninstall it: go to "Update history" > "Uninstall updates" and remove the most recent update.

FAQs About Windows 11 Bluetooth Issues

Why is my Bluetooth not working in Windows 11?

Common causes include the Bluetooth service being disabled, outdated or corrupted drivers, or a problematic Windows update. Try restarting the Bluetooth service and updating the drivers first.

Why is Bluetooth missing from Windows 11?

If the Bluetooth option is missing from Settings, it may be due to a disabled Bluetooth adapter, missing drivers, or a hardware issue. Check Device Manager for the Bluetooth adapter, and reinstall the drivers if needed.

How do I fix Bluetooth not detecting devices?

Make sure the device is in pairing mode and within range. Also try removing and re-pairing the device. If that doesn't work, update your Bluetooth drivers from the manufacturer's website.

Why does my Bluetooth keep disconnecting?

Frequent disconnections are usually caused by driver issues, power management settings, or interference. Update your Bluetooth drivers, and in Device Manager, go to the Bluetooth adapter's Properties > Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

How do I know if my PC has Bluetooth?

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. If you see the Bluetooth toggle, your PC has Bluetooth. You can also check Device Manager for a "Bluetooth" category. If you don't see it, your PC may not have built-in Bluetooth—you can add a USB Bluetooth adapter.

Back Up and Restore Windows with Qiling Disk Master

Before you reinstall the Bluetooth driver, restart Bluetooth services, or reset the adapter, create a full system backup. Bluetooth fixes involve driver and service changes across the system, so a system image lets you undo all of them in minutes if pairing breaks completely. Qiling Disk Master handles both the backup and the restore.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Part 1: Create a Full System Backup

Step 1. Install and open Qiling Disk Master. On the home screen, open "Backup and Recovery" and choose "System Backup". This option automatically includes Windows and the hidden boot partitions, so you do not have to select them one by one.

Step 2. Check the source. The disk where Windows is installed and its system partitions are already ticked for you. If you only need your personal documents, run a separate "File Backup" task instead.

Step 3. Click the destination box and choose where the image should be saved. Use an external HDD or SSD, a NAS, or any drive other than the one you are about to repair, and make sure it has enough free space.

Step 4. Review the task summary and click "Proceed". Wait until the progress bar reaches 100%. Do not unplug the drive or turn off the PC while the backup is running.

Part 2: Restore Windows from the Backup

Step 1. Open Qiling Disk Master again, go to "Backup and Recovery", and select the recovery option. Your backup images are listed, so pick the one you created before the repair.

Step 2. Choose the target disk or partition. Normally you restore to the original system disk. If the drive was replaced, select the new disk instead, and the restore rebuilds Windows together with its boot partitions.

Step 3. Preview the restore plan, click "Proceed", and confirm the warning. The PC restarts to finish the job, and Windows comes back exactly as it was on the day the image was created.

Conclusion

Windows 11 Bluetooth not working is usually fixable by restarting the Bluetooth service, updating the drivers, or running the Bluetooth troubleshooter. If the issue persists, try removing and re-pairing your devices, running SFC and DISM scans, or checking for Windows updates. For most users, one of these fixes will resolve the issue.

For more Windows 11 troubleshooting, see our guides on Wi-Fi Not Working, Taskbar Not Working, and Windows 11 24H2 Problems.

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