How to Fix Bluetooth Not Showing in Device Manager

Learn how to fix Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager on Windows. We will cover what may be causing it and step-by-step solutions related to drivers, services, BIOS, and updates.

Many users deal with the issue of Bluetooth not showing up in Device Manager, which is very frustrating at times when you are trying to connect wireless headsets, keyboards, mice, or other Bluetooth devices. When Bluetooth doesn’t show in Device Manager, it is usually a result of the system’s failure to detect the Bluetooth hardware or the driver is missing, disabled, or corrupted. Luckily, this issue may be resolved with some of the proposed solutions.

1. Check if Bluetooth is Supported on Your PC

Before you troubleshoot, check that your computer does in fact support Bluetooth. Some desktops and old laptops may not have it built in. If Bluetooth doesn’t show in Device Manager, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices. Also, if the option is totally missing on your system, either you do not have Bluetooth support or the Bluetooth driver is not installed. In which case, use a USB Bluetooth adapter, which will solve the issue.

2. Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager

Sometimes, Bluetooth does not show up in Device Manager, which may be because the Bluetooth device is in hidden mode.

To Fix This:

Open Device Manager by pressing Windows+X.
Click View at the top.
Select Show hidden devices.

After enabling this option, check for Bluetooth in the Device Manager under Bluetooth or Network adapters. If Bluetooth still does not appear after that, proceed to the next step.

3. Restart Bluetooth Support Services

Bluetooth services play a key role in proper detection. When these services break down, it is very common for Bluetooth to not show up in Device Manager.

Steps to Restart Bluetooth Services:

Press the Windows + R button, type services.msc search and press Enter.
Find Bluetooth Support Services.
Right-click and choose to restart.
Set Startup type to Automatic.

Restart your PC and see if the issue of Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager is resolved.

4. Update or Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers

One of the issues that comes up is that of outdated or corrupted drivers, which may cause Bluetooth to not show in Device Manager.

To Update Drivers:

Open up Device Manager.
Extend Network adapters.
Look for Bluetooth-related drivers.
Right-click and select Update driver.

If repair does not help, go ahead and uninstall the Bluetooth driver, which will also cause you to reboot your PC. Windows will then put the correct driver back in. This method reports to fix the issue of Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager for the most part.

5. Install Drivers From Manufacturer Website

If still not seeing Bluetooth in Device Manager, go to your laptop or motherboard manufacturer’s site (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Intel, etc. to download the latest Bluetooth drivers. Oftentimes, installing stock drivers will fix the issue.

6. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

In certain cases, we see that Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager, which is due to Bluetooth being disabled in the BIOS.

To Check:

Restart your PC.
Enter BIOS by pressing F2, F10, Delete, or Esc (depends on manufacturer).
Check for Bluetooth, Wireless, or Onboard Devices settings.
Make sure to turn on Bluetooth.

Save changes and restart your computer.

7. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that will fix Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager for you.

Steps:

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
Choose Other Troubleshooters.
Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter.

This tool is able to find out about driver issues, service problems, and configuration errors.

8. Upgrade Windows

An out-of-date Windows version may also be the issue when Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager. Go to Settings > Windows Update, which has all the available updates. Many issues related to Bluetooth are fixed with system updates.

Conclusion

If you have issues with Bluetooth not showing in Device Manager, that is usually a result of problems with drivers, services, BIOS settings, or Windows updates. By going through the steps above, you can easily identify the cause and put the Bluetooth function back. Also, if it’s a matter of restarting Bluetooth services, reinstalling drivers, or enabling Bluetooth in BIOS, we have covered the main causes that tend to produce this issue. If that is still a problem, we have external Bluetooth adapters as a reliable option.

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How to Fix Bluetooth Not Showing in Device Manager – 8 Solutions