How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 10 & Windows 11 (Complete Troubleshooting Guide)
Bluetooth allows you to connect your computer wirelessly to devices such as headphones, speakers, keyboards, mice, printers, smartphones, and more. If Bluetooth is missing, won't turn on, or keeps disconnecting after a Windows update, this guide will help you fix the problem.
Whether you're using Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow the solutions below to restore Bluetooth functionality.
.How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 10
Method 1: Turn On Bluetooth from Settings
If Bluetooth is already enabled, turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
Method 2: Turn On Bluetooth from the Action Center
Press Windows + A.
Click the Bluetooth tile.
If the tile is missing, click Expand to view more quick settings.
How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 11
Windows 11 offers a redesigned Settings app and Quick Settings panel.
Method 1: Using Quick Settings
Press Windows + A.
Click the Bluetooth icon.
If Bluetooth is off, click it once to enable it.
Method 2: Using Windows Settings
Click Start > Settings.
Select Bluetooth & devices. Turn the Bluetooth switch on.
You can also click Add device to pair a new Bluetooth device.
Why Bluetooth Won't Turn On
If Bluetooth is unavailable or not working after upgrading Windows, one of these issues is usually responsible:
Airplane Mode is enabled.
Bluetooth is disabled in Windows Settings.
Bluetooth Support Service is stopped.
Outdated or corrupted Bluetooth drivers.
Missing Bluetooth drivers.
Windows Update installed an incompatible driver.
Bluetooth adapter is disabled in Device Manager.
Power Management is turning off the Bluetooth adapter.
Third-party software conflicts.
Corrupted Windows system files.
BIOS/UEFI Bluetooth is disabled (on some laptops).
Hardware failure of the Bluetooth adapter.
Fix Bluetooth Not Turning On in Windows 10 & Windows 11
Method 1 – Make Sure Airplane Mode Is Disabled
Airplane Mode disables wireless communications including Bluetooth.
Windows 10
Open Settings.
Select Network & Internet.
Click Airplane Mode.
Make sure Airplane Mode is Off.
Windows 11
Open Settings.
Select Network & Internet.
Click Airplane Mode.
Turn it Off.
You can also press Windows + A and disable Airplane Mode from Quick Settings.
Method 2 – Check Bluetooth Settings
Sometimes Bluetooth is simply disabled.
Windows 10
Go to:
Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices
Turn Bluetooth On.
Windows 11
Go to:
Settings → Bluetooth & devices
Enable Bluetooth.
If it is already enabled:
Turn it off.
Wait 10 seconds.
Turn it on again.
Method 3 – Restart Bluetooth Support Service
Windows relies on the Bluetooth Support Service to detect Bluetooth devices.
Press Windows + R.
Type:
services.msc
Find Bluetooth Support Service.
Right-click it.
Select Restart.
Double-click the service.
Set Startup Type to Automatic.
Click Start if the service is stopped.
Click Apply and OK.
Restart your computer.
Method 4 – Check Power Management
Windows may turn off Bluetooth to save battery.
Right-click Start.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Bluetooth.
Double-click your Bluetooth adapter.
Open the Power Management tab.
Uncheck:
Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
Click OK.
Restart the PC.
Method 5 – Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter
Windows 10
Go to:
Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters
Select:
Bluetooth
Click:
Run the troubleshooter
Windows 11
Go to:
Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
Find Bluetooth.
Click Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Method 6 – Update Bluetooth Driver
Old drivers are one of the most common causes of Bluetooth problems.
Right-click Start.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Bluetooth.
Right-click your Bluetooth adapter.
Select Update driver.
Choose:
Search automatically for drivers
Restart Windows after installation.
Method 7 – Reinstall Bluetooth Driver
If updating doesn't work, reinstall the driver.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Bluetooth.
Right-click the Bluetooth adapter.
Choose Uninstall device.
Confirm removal.
Restart the computer.
Windows usually installs the driver automatically during startup.
If not:
Open Device Manager.
Click Action
Select Scan for hardware changes.
Method 8 – Download the Latest Driver from the Manufacturer
If Windows installs an incorrect driver, install the official driver.
Visit your computer manufacturer's support website.
Examples include:
Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
MSI
Toshiba
Download the latest Bluetooth driver for your exact computer model.
If the download includes:
Setup.exe
Simply double-click it.
If the driver contains INF files:
Open Device Manager.
Right-click the Bluetooth adapter.
Choose Update driver.
Select Browse my computer.
Browse to the downloaded driver folder.
Click Next.
Restart the PC.
Method 9 – Enable Bluetooth Adapter
Sometimes the Bluetooth device is disabled.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Bluetooth.
Right-click the adapter.
Select Enable device.
If you only see Disable device, it is already enabled.
Method 10 – Show Hidden Bluetooth Devices
If Bluetooth suddenly disappears:
Open Device Manager.
Click View.
Select Show hidden devices.
If Bluetooth appears faded:
Right-click it.
Enable or reinstall it.
Method 11 – Repair Corrupted Windows Files
Corrupted system files can prevent Bluetooth from working.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run:
sfc /scannow
Wait until it completes.
Next run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart Windows.
Method 12 – Restore Windows
If Bluetooth stopped working after an update or software installation:
Open Control Panel.
Search for Recovery.
Select Open System Restore.
Choose a restore point.
Follow the wizard.
Method 13 – Check Windows Update
Microsoft often releases Bluetooth fixes.
Windows 10
Go to:
Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
Click:
Check for updates
Windows 11
Go to:
Settings → Windows Update
Click:
Check for updates
Install all available updates.
Method 14 – Check BIOS/UEFI Settings
Some laptops allow Bluetooth to be disabled in BIOS.
Restart your computer.
Enter BIOS (usually by pressing F2, Delete, F10, or Esc during startup).
Look for Wireless, Integrated Devices, or Onboard Devices.
Ensure Bluetooth is Enabled.
Save changes and restart.
Method 15 – Edit the Registry (Advanced Users Only)
Warning: Incorrect registry changes can cause system issues. Back up the registry before proceeding.
Press Windows + R.
Type:
regedit
Press Enter.
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SOFTWARE
Microsoft
Windows NT
CurrentVersion
Before making changes, select File > Export to create a backup.Only modify registry values if instructed by your computer manufacturer or Microsoft Support. Avoid changing CurrentVersion arbitrarily, as doing so can cause system problems.
Method 16 – Check Device Manager for Unknown Devices
Sometimes Windows detects the Bluetooth hardware as an unknown device.
Open Device Manager.
Expand:
Other Devices
Unknown Devices
If you see a Bluetooth-related device with a yellow warning icon:
Right-click it.
Select Update Driver.
Or install the manufacturer’s Bluetooth driver manually.
Method 17 – Verify Bluetooth Hardware
If none of the above methods work:
Test with an external USB Bluetooth adapter.
Check whether Bluetooth works in BIOS diagnostics (if available).
Boot into Safe Mode to rule out software conflicts.
If the internal adapter is faulty, replacing it or using a USB Bluetooth dongle may be the easiest solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my Bluetooth button missing?
Possible reasons include:
Bluetooth driver is missing or corrupted.
Bluetooth adapter is disabled.
Bluetooth Support Service is stopped.
Windows Update installed an incompatible driver.
The adapter has failed.
Why won't Bluetooth detect devices?
The device is not in pairing mode.
The device is already connected elsewhere.
The device is out of range.
Bluetooth drivers are outdated.
Bluetooth needs to be restarted.
Why did Bluetooth stop working after a Windows update?
A Windows update may have installed an incompatible driver or changed Bluetooth settings. Reinstalling the latest driver from your PC manufacturer often resolves the issue.
Can I add Bluetooth to a PC that doesn't have it?
Yes. You can use a USB Bluetooth adapter (dongle), which is inexpensive and works with most Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.
Final Thoughts
Bluetooth problems in Windows 10 and Windows 11 are usually caused by disabled settings, outdated drivers, stopped services, or software conflicts. Start with the simple fixes—checking Airplane Mode, enabling Bluetooth, and restarting the Bluetooth Support Service—before moving on to driver updates or system repairs. If the built-in adapter has failed, a USB Bluetooth adapter provides a quick and reliable solution.
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