Bluetooth Not Showing in Windows 11? Try These 6 Fixes

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If Bluetooth isn’t showing up on your Windows 11 PC, don’t worry, you’re not alone. This issue usually appears because of driver glitches, Fast Startup caching, disabled Bluetooth services, or BIOS settings that hide the adapter. In some cases, the built-in adapter may be faulty or too old to support modern devices. Let’s walk through the fixes that have worked for real users.

1. Perform a Full System Shutdown

One of the quickest fixes, confirmed by many users, is doing a full shutdown. Unlike a regular shutdown, this one completely powers off your PC and resets all active drivers.

Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key, click the Power icon, then hold Shift and select Shut down.
2. Don’t release the Shift key until your PC turns off completely.
3. To be safe, unplug the power cord and wait for about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Plug it back in and power on your PC.

A full shutdown forces Windows to reload every driver cleanly. If the Bluetooth option disappeared because of a driver glitch, this should bring it right back.

2. Reinstall the Bluetooth Driver

If the Bluetooth toggle is still missing, the next best step is to reinstall the driver. Sometimes, a corrupted or outdated driver prevents Bluetooth from appearing in Settings.

Here’s what to do:

1. Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
2. Click the View menu at the top and select Show hidden devices.
3. Expand the Bluetooth section.
4. If you see a greyed-out Bluetooth adapter, right-click it and choose Uninstall device.
5. Check the box that says Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then click Uninstall.
6. Restart your PC, and Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

If Windows doesn’t reinstall it, visit your manufacturer’s website or Intel’s driver support page to manually download the latest Bluetooth driver.

3. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup helps your computer boot faster, but it can also cause trouble. It doesn’t fully shut down Windows; instead, it saves parts of your system, including drivers, in a hibernated state. If your Bluetooth driver is stuck in an error, Fast Startup just keeps reloading the same broken state.

Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Go to Hardware and Sound → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
5. Click Save changes and restart your PC.

Once Fast Startup is off, Windows will perform a full shutdown each time, reloading all drivers fresh.

4. Restart Bluetooth Services

Bluetooth depends on several background services to function properly. If these services are stopped or disabled, the option might vanish from Settings.

To fix it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Find Bluetooth Support Service, right-click it, choose Properties, and set Startup type to Automatic.
3. Click Start if it’s not already running, then hit Apply and OK.

Do the same for any other Bluetooth-related services you find. Then restart your PC and check if the Bluetooth option appears.

5. Check Bluetooth in BIOS

Sometimes, Bluetooth is disabled at the hardware level inside the BIOS. If it’s turned off there, no amount of driver tweaking will make it show up in Windows.

To access the BIOS:

1. Press the Windows key, type Recovery Options, and open it.
2. Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now.
3. After the restart, select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.
4. Once you’re in the BIOS, look for a Bluetooth or Wireless option. On some systems, like Dell, you’ll find it under Connections. Others might list it in Advanced Settings.
   

If you’re unsure, check your manufacturer’s website for exact steps. And remember, don’t change anything else in the BIOS, as it could affect how your PC runs.

6. Replace the Bluetooth Adapter

If nothing else works, your current Bluetooth adapter might be faulty or outdated. Older adapters often lose compatibility with new devices or stop working after Windows updates.

The simplest fix is to get a new Bluetooth adapter. Look for one that supports Bluetooth 5.0 or newer. These offer better range, faster pairing, and improved connection stability.

Most modern adapters are plug-and-play, meaning Windows will automatically detect and install the drivers.

Here are the top-rated options for a Bluetooth adaptor on Amazon:

• TP-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter [Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐]
• TP-Link USB Bluetooth Adapter (Long Range Receiver) [Rating: ⭐⭐⭐]
• TP-Link 2-in-1 USB Bluetooth WiFi Adapter [Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐]

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A missing Bluetooth option in Windows 11 is almost always caused by a driver issue, Fast Startup, or a disabled service. Start with the simple fixes like a full shutdown, then move to driver reinstall and BIOS checks. And if your adapter is outdated, a quick replacement will solve the problem for good.

With these proven steps, you’ll have Bluetooth back up and running in no time.