Bluetooth Driver Not Showing Up in Device Manager? Here’s What You Need to Do

Bluetooth is essential for connecting devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wireless headphones to each other. They make it possible to transfer files, stream audio, and use other Bluetooth-enabled features.

In this article, we will discuss the issue of Bluetooth drivers not showing up in Device Manager and provide solutions to fix the problem.

Why Bluetooth Drivers May Not Show Up in Device Manager

Bluetooth drivers may not appear in Device Manager due to a variety of reasons. Here are some of the common causes of the issue:

1. Outdated or corrupted drivers: If the driver is outdated or corrupted, it may not show up in Device Manager.
2. Missing updates: If your operating system is not updated with the latest patches, the Bluetooth driver may not appear in Device Manager.
3. Disabled Bluetooth services: If the Bluetooth services are disabled, the driver may not show up in Device Manager.
4. Hardware issues: If the Bluetooth hardware is malfunctioning, the driver may not show up in Device Manager.

It is important to troubleshoot the problem to ensure that your Bluetooth drivers are functioning properly. Failure to do so may result in connectivity issues between your devices, or worse, your Bluetooth may not work at all. In the next section, we will discuss what to do if your Bluetooth driver is not detected in Device Manager.

What to Do If Bluetooth Driver is Not Detected

If your Bluetooth driver is not detected in Device Manager, don’t worry, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Check if the Bluetooth hardware is enabled: Ensure that your device’s Bluetooth hardware is turned on and enabled. If it is disabled, the driver may not appear in Device Manager.
2. Run the troubleshooter: The first step to troubleshooting Bluetooth driver issues is to run the built-in Windows Bluetooth troubleshooter. The troubleshooter can detect and resolve issues that may prevent the driver from appearing in Device Manager.
3. Update the driver: If the driver is outdated, updating it can help resolve the issue. You can update the driver manually through Device Manager or use third-party software like Driver Booster to automatically detect and update the driver.
4. Reinstall the driver: If updating the driver does not resolve the issue, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. To do this, right-click on the Bluetooth driver in Device Manager and select “Uninstall device.” Then, restart your computer and the driver will be automatically reinstalled.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of the Bluetooth driver not appearing in Device Manager. In the next sections, we will provide step-by-step instructions for adding the Bluetooth driver to Device Manager in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How to Add Bluetooth Driver to Device Manager in Windows 11/10

If the Bluetooth driver is not showing up in Device Manager in Windows 11, you can manually add it by following these steps:

1. Enter Device Manager on Windows Search and click on Open:
   
2. Click on the Action tab at the top of the window and select Add legacy hardware.
   
   (If you can’t see the Add legacy hardware option, just click on any device in the Device Manager and then try to click on the Action tab again.)
3. In the Add Hardware Wizard, click Next and select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced).
   
4. Select Bluetooth radios from the list and click Next.
5. In the next window, select the manufacturer and model of your Bluetooth hardware and click Next.
6. If prompted to install additional software, click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

If you prefer a more automatic approach, you can use software like Driver Booster to update your Bluetooth driver. Here’s how:

1. Download and install Driver Booster on your Windows 11/10 device.
   
   (I suggest unchecking any boxes recommending additional software if you don’t need it)
2. Launch Driver Booster and click Scan to detect outdated or missing drivers:
   
3. Once the scan is complete, locate the Bluetooth driver and click Update to automatically download and install the latest driver:
   

By following these steps, you should be able to add the Bluetooth driver to Device Manager in Windows 11 and ensure that it is functioning properly.

How to Reinstall Bluetooth Drivers in Device Manager

If you’re experiencing issues with your Bluetooth driver, you may need to reinstall it. Here are the steps to do so using Device Manager:

1. Enter Device Manager on Windows Search and click on Open:
   
2. Locate the Bluetooth driver under the Bluetooth or Network Adapters section.
3. Right-click on the driver and select Uninstall device.
   
4. If prompted to confirm the action, click Uninstall.
5. Once the driver has been uninstalled, click on the Action tab at the top of the window and select Scan for hardware changes.
   
   (If you can’t see the Scan for hardware changes option, just click on any device in the Device Manager and then try to click on the Action tab again.)
6. Windows will automatically detect the missing driver and reinstall it.

Alternatively, you can download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it manually. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Go to the manufacturer’s website and locate the latest Bluetooth driver for your device.
2. Download the driver to your computer.
3. Double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

By following these steps, you should be able to reinstall the Bluetooth driver in Device Manager and resolve any issues you were experiencing.

(If your Bluetooth Power Management Tab is also missing, I’ve written an article about it.)

Conclusion

Whether you’re running Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can add the Bluetooth driver to Device Manager manually or use third-party software like Driver Booster to update it automatically. If you’re experiencing issues with your Bluetooth driver, you can also reinstall it using Device Manager or by downloading and installing the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve any issues with your Bluetooth driver and ensure that your device is functioning properly.

If your Bluetooth Turn On button is missing, make sure to check the article I`ve written on it.