How to Reinstall Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11 and 10 (6 Methods, 2026)

To reinstall Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 or 10, open Device Manager (Win+X > Device Manager), expand Bluetooth, right-click your adapter, select Uninstall device, check Delete the driver software, click Uninstall, and restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically after restart. If Bluetooth is still missing, open Device Manager, click Action, and select Scan for hardware changes.

Bluetooth stops working on Windows PCs for three predictable reasons. A Windows Update installs an incompatible driver and the Bluetooth toggle disappears from Settings. A driver file corrupts after a crash and the adapter gets a yellow warning triangle in Device Manager. Or a fresh Windows install does not include the right driver and Bluetooth never shows up at all. In every case, reinstalling the Bluetooth driver is the fix.

This guide covers six confirmed methods for Windows 11 and Windows 10, names the exact manufacturers and their download tools, explains the one step most guides get wrong (the 60-second wait after restart), and includes a full verification section to confirm the fix actually worked.

Also Read: COM Surrogate Delete File Error

Which Method Do You Need? (Choose Your Situation)

Find your situation in the table below before reading any further. Each scenario has a different best starting point.

Your Situation	Best Starting Method	Skip To
Bluetooth worked before a Windows Update	Roll Back Driver first	Method 3
Bluetooth has a yellow triangle in Device Manager	Uninstall and reinstall via Device Manager	Method 1
Bluetooth is completely missing from Device Manager	Check hidden devices then Optional Updates	Method 4
USB Bluetooth adapter not recognized	Reconnect to a different USB port, then reinstall	Method 5
Bluetooth installed but devices keep disconnecting	Check Bluetooth services	Method 6

Warning: Windows 11 24H2 users: if Bluetooth disappeared after updating to Windows 11 version 24H2, go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates before starting any manual reinstall. Microsoft released a Bluetooth driver fix through Optional Updates specifically for 24H2 affected systems. Installing that update may resolve the issue without any manual driver changes.

Before You Start: 6 Pre-Checks

Work through these six checks before uninstalling anything. Many Bluetooth problems resolve at step 5 without touching the driver at all.

1. Save all open work. Bluetooth devices disconnect during driver removal and will not reconnect until reinstallation is complete.
2. If a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse is your only input device, connect a wired USB keyboard or mouse now. The Bluetooth adapter disconnects from all paired devices the moment the driver is uninstalled. Without a wired alternative, you may be unable to interact with the PC mid-process.
3. On laptops, check for a physical wireless switch on the side or front panel, or a keyboard shortcut such as Fn+F5 or Fn+F7 that toggles wireless hardware on and off. Confirm Bluetooth is not simply disabled at the hardware level before assuming the driver is corrupted.
4. For USB Bluetooth adapters, unplug from the current port, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect to a different USB port. Windows often reinstalls the driver automatically when it detects the adapter on a new port.
5. Restart the PC once before making any driver changes, especially after a recent Windows Update. A large number of post-update Bluetooth issues resolve with nothing more than a single clean restart.
6. Create a system restore point before proceeding: Control Panel > System and Security > System > System Protection > Create. Name it “Before Bluetooth Reinstall.” This takes under two minutes and allows a full rollback if something goes wrong.

If the above checks do not resolve the issue, the AxeeTech Windows troubleshooter guide covers the built-in Windows diagnostic tools that can identify driver and hardware problems automatically before any manual steps.

Method 1: Reinstall Bluetooth Driver via Device Manager (Recommended)

Device Manager is the correct built-in tool for removing and reinstalling a Bluetooth driver on any Windows 10 or 11 PC. This method resolves the majority of Bluetooth driver errors including yellow triangles, red X marks, and Code 10 errors.

Step 1: Identify your Bluetooth adapter

1. Press Win+X and select Device Manager from the menu. Alternatively, press Win+R, type the following, and press Enter:

devmgmt.msc

2. Click the arrow next to the Bluetooth category to expand it.
3. Note the exact adapter name shown. Common adapter names include Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R), Realtek Bluetooth Adapter, Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth, Qualcomm Bluetooth, Broadcom Bluetooth, and MediaTek Bluetooth Adapter.
4. Write down the exact name as shown. You may need it to download the manufacturer driver manually if Windows cannot reinstall automatically.

Step 2: Uninstall the driver

1. Right-click the main Bluetooth adapter entry (the one named Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Realtek Bluetooth Adapter, or similar).
2. Select Uninstall device from the context menu.
3. In the confirmation window, check the box labeled Delete the driver software for this device (some Windows builds call it Attempt to remove the driver for this device).
4. Click Uninstall.
5. The Bluetooth category disappears from Device Manager. This is completely normal and expected. Do not take further action at this point.

Warning: Only uninstall the main Bluetooth adapter entry. Do NOT uninstall Bluetooth Generic Attribute Profile, Bluetooth LE, Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator, or Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator. Uninstalling these profile entries causes additional pairing failures with modern Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, and mice that rely on Bluetooth LE technology.

Step 3: Restart the PC (mandatory, not optional)

1. Close all open applications.
2. Click Start > Power > Restart.
3. Allow Windows to fully restart without interruption.
4. After logging back in, wait a full 60 seconds before opening Device Manager.

Tip: The restart is not a formality. It is the mechanism that triggers Windows to run a Plug and Play hardware scan, check the local DriverStore cache at C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore, and install a fresh copy of the Bluetooth driver. Skipping the restart leaves the Bluetooth hardware without any driver. The 60-second wait gives Windows time to complete hardware detection after login.

Step 4: Confirm reinstallation

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand the Bluetooth category.
3. If the adapter appears without a yellow triangle or red X, Windows reinstalled the driver successfully.
4. Right-click the adapter > Properties > General tab.
5. Device status should read “This device is working properly.”

Step 5: If the adapter does not appear after restart

1. In Device Manager, click the Action menu in the top menu bar.
2. Select Scan for hardware changes.
3. Windows runs a Plug and Play scan and attempts to reinstall any detected devices.
4. Wait for the scan to complete, then expand Bluetooth and check for the adapter.

If Windows Update issues are preventing the automatic driver download during reinstallation, the AxeeTech guide on how to fix Windows Update issues easily covers every repair method for stuck or failing update processes that can block driver delivery.

Method 2: Update Driver Instead of Full Reinstall (Faster for Minor Issues)

When Bluetooth is functional but showing performance problems, audio lag, or a Code 10 error, updating the driver is faster than a full uninstall and resolves the issue in most cases.

1. Press Win+X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Bluetooth category.
3. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter.
4. Select Update driver.
5. Select Search automatically for drivers.
6. Windows searches Windows Update and the local DriverStore cache for a newer version.
7. If a newer version is found, install it and restart the PC.

Use this method when the adapter is visible and functional but producing errors. Use Method 1 if the adapter shows a persistent yellow triangle, red X, or cannot be detected at all.

Method 3: Roll Back Driver (Best When Bluetooth Stopped After a Windows Update)

If Bluetooth worked correctly before a specific Windows Update and stopped immediately after, rolling back the driver restores the previous working version without any downloads.

1. Press Win+X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Bluetooth category.
3. Right-click your Bluetooth adapter and select Properties.
4. Click the Driver tab.
5. Click Roll Back Driver.
6. Select a reason when prompted.
7. Click Yes to confirm.
8. Restart the PC when the rollback completes.

If the Roll Back Driver button is greyed out, Windows does not have a previous driver version stored on the system. Proceed to Method 1 instead.

Warning: If Windows Update keeps reinstalling the same incompatible driver after a rollback, temporarily pause Windows Updates at Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates. This prevents the update from overwriting the rolled-back driver until Microsoft releases a compatible version.

Method 4: Fix Bluetooth Missing from Device Manager

When the Bluetooth category does not appear in Device Manager at all, work through these five checks in order before attempting a manual driver reinstall.

Check 1: Show hidden devices

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Click the View menu at the top of the window.
3. Select Show hidden devices.
4. Look for a greyed-out Bluetooth category or greyed-out Bluetooth adapter entries.
5. Right-click any greyed-out Bluetooth entry and select Enable device.

Check 2: Identify Bluetooth as an Unknown device

1. In Device Manager, look under Other devices or Unknown devices.
2. If an Unknown device appears, right-click it and select Properties.
3. Click the Details tab.
4. Change the Property dropdown to Hardware IDs.
5. If the value contains VID_8087, this is an Intel Bluetooth adapter present in hardware but missing a driver.
6. Download the Intel Bluetooth driver from intel.com and install it.

Check 3: Windows Update Optional Updates

1. Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
2. Click Advanced options.
3. Click Optional updates.
4. Install any pending driver updates listed for Bluetooth or wireless hardware.

Check 4: Check BIOS/UEFI setting

1. Restart the PC and press the BIOS key during boot. Common keys are F2, F10, Delete, or Esc and they appear briefly on the boot screen.
2. Navigate to the Advanced, Wireless, or System Configuration section.
3. Find the Bluetooth or WLAN setting and confirm it is set to Enabled.
4. Save changes and exit BIOS.

Some laptops disable Bluetooth at the hardware level through BIOS. No driver reinstall resolves this until the BIOS setting is changed to Enabled.

Check 5: Internal USB cable on combo wireless cards

Some Intel combo cards such as the Intel Wireless-AC 9260 use the Wi-Fi chip for network connectivity and a separate internal USB connection to handle Bluetooth. If Device Manager shows the Wi-Fi adapter working under Network Adapters but Bluetooth does not appear anywhere, the internal USB cable connecting the wireless card to the motherboard may be disconnected or loose. This is a hardware issue, not a driver problem. Resolving it requires opening the PC case and reseating the cable. Driver reinstallation will not detect Bluetooth until the physical connection is restored.

Method 5: Reinstall USB Bluetooth Adapter Driver

For external USB Bluetooth dongles such as the TP-Link UB500 and ASUS USB-BT500, the reinstall process differs from built-in adapters.

Quick reconnect test (try this first):

1. Unplug the USB Bluetooth adapter from its current port.
2. Wait a full 10 seconds.
3. Plug it into a different USB port on the same PC.
4. Windows detects the adapter on the new port and attempts automatic driver reinstallation.
5. If Device Manager shows the adapter without errors, the reconnect resolved it.

Manual reinstall for USB adapters:

1. Plug the USB adapter into a USB port.
2. Open Device Manager and find the adapter in the Bluetooth or Other devices category.
3. Right-click it and select Uninstall device.
4. Unplug the adapter, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.
5. Windows reinstalls the driver from the local DriverStore cache or Windows Update.

Manual driver download for USB adapters:

• TP-Link Bluetooth adapters: tp-link.com/us/support/download (search by model number on the dongle housing)
• ASUS Bluetooth adapters: asus.com/support (search by model number)
• Check the exact model number printed on the USB adapter housing before searching

Method 6: Fix Bluetooth Services (Driver Installed But Bluetooth Not Working)

After a driver reinstall, Bluetooth sometimes does not function because the required Windows services stopped running. The driver can be installed correctly while the services remain in a stopped state.

1. Press Win+R, type the following, and press Enter:

services.msc

2. Scroll through the services list and find each of these three services:

Bluetooth Support Service:

1. Double-click Bluetooth Support Service.
2. Set Startup type to Automatic.
3. Click Start if the service shows a Stopped status.
4. Click OK.

Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service:

1. Double-click Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service.
2. Set Startup type to Automatic or Manual.
3. Click Start if the service shows Stopped.
4. Click OK.

Bluetooth User Support Service:

1. Double-click Bluetooth User Support Service.
2. Set Startup type to Automatic or Manual.
3. Click Start if the service shows Stopped.
4. Click OK.
5. After setting all three services, restart the PC to apply the changes.

If Bluetooth audio still crackles or lags after confirming the services are running, the AxeeTech guide on configuring your default playback device in Windows covers the audio output configuration settings that sometimes need adjustment after a Bluetooth driver reinstall changes how Windows recognizes the audio device.

Manufacturer Bluetooth Driver Downloads (Where to Get the Right Driver)

When Windows cannot automatically reinstall the Bluetooth driver, download it directly from the manufacturer. Use the exact adapter name noted in Method 1 Step 1 to identify your brand.

Brand	Name in Device Manager	Where to Download	OEM Auto-Detect Tool
Intel	Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)	intel.com/support	Intel Driver and Support Assistant
Realtek	Realtek Bluetooth Adapter	Your PC manufacturer’s support page	None (use PC manufacturer page)
Qualcomm	Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth, Qualcomm Bluetooth	Your PC manufacturer’s support page only	None (use PC manufacturer page)
Broadcom	Broadcom Bluetooth	Your PC manufacturer’s support page only	None (use PC manufacturer page)
MediaTek	MediaTek Bluetooth Adapter	Your PC manufacturer’s support page	None (use PC manufacturer page)

PC manufacturer support pages and OEM tools:

• HP: support.hp.com (HP Support Assistant auto-detects correct drivers)
• Dell: dell.com/support (Dell Command Update auto-detects for all Dell PCs)
• Lenovo: support.lenovo.com (Lenovo System Update auto-detects for all Lenovo PCs)
• ASUS: asus.com/support (MyASUS app or ASUS Live Update)
• Acer: acer.com/support (Acer Care Center)
• Microsoft Surface: microsoft.com/en-us/surface/support

Tip: Qualcomm and Broadcom Bluetooth drivers are bundled inside the Wireless LAN driver package on your PC manufacturer’s support page. When you download and install the Wi-Fi driver or Wireless LAN driver for your HP, Dell, Lenovo, or ASUS model, the installer deploys both the Wi-Fi driver and the Bluetooth driver simultaneously. Do not search for a separate Bluetooth-only download for these brands. The Bluetooth section of Device Manager updates at the same time as the Wi-Fi section because they share one installer.

For a comprehensive walkthrough on finding, downloading, and installing manufacturer drivers beyond Bluetooth, the AxeeTech guide on how to manually update drivers in Windows covers the full manual driver update process for all hardware types.

How to Verify the Reinstall Worked

After completing any reinstall method, work through all four checks below before concluding the fix was successful.

Check 1: Device Manager status

1. Open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth.
2. The adapter should appear without a yellow exclamation mark or red X.
3. Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
4. On the General tab, Device status should read “This device is working properly.”

Check 2: System tray icon

1. Look at the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.
2. The Bluetooth icon should appear there.
3. If it is not visible, click the up arrow at the edge of the system tray to see hidden icons.
4. Bluetooth should appear in the hidden icons list.

Check 3: Settings toggle test

1. Open Settings and go to Bluetooth and devices.
2. Toggle Bluetooth on if it is not already enabled.
3. The toggle should respond immediately and Windows should begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Check 4: Practical pairing test

1. Turn on a Bluetooth device such as headphones, a keyboard, or a phone and put it in pairing mode.
2. Windows should detect and list the device in the Bluetooth and devices page.
3. Complete the pairing process and confirm the device connects successfully.
4. For Bluetooth headphones: play audio and confirm it plays without crackling, popping, or lag.

If Bluetooth audio devices pass the pairing test but audio quality is degraded, checking microphone and audio device permissions through the AxeeTech guide on troubleshooting microphone privacy settings confirms that Windows audio permissions for the reinstalled device are correctly configured.

If Windows enters a self-repair cycle after a driver update or reinstall, the AxeeTech guide on what to do when your system is repairing itself covers each phase of the Windows repair sequence safely.

Symptoms That Indicate a Bluetooth Driver Reinstall Will Help

Use this table to confirm that a driver reinstall is the right fix for your specific symptom before starting.

Symptom	What It Means
Bluetooth toggle missing from Windows Settings	Driver corruption or Bluetooth service failure
Yellow exclamation mark (!) on adapter in Device Manager	Driver error that a reinstall can fix
Red X on adapter in Device Manager	Driver disabled or failed to load
“This device cannot start (Code 10)” in Properties	Driver corruption; reinstall is the recommended fix
Bluetooth audio crackling, popping, or lagging	Driver corruption affecting audio-specific components
Devices fail to pair or constantly re-pair	Corrupted Bluetooth stack that a reinstall resets
“Device driver software was not successfully installed” notification	Auto-install failed; manual download needed
Bluetooth stopped working immediately after a Windows Update	Update installed an incompatible or broken driver

When a driver reinstall will NOT fix the issue:

Bluetooth hardware disabled in BIOS requires a BIOS setting change, not a driver reinstall. A disconnected internal USB cable on a combo wireless card is a physical hardware issue that software cannot resolve. Genuinely failed hardware that shows no detection after multiple correct reinstall attempts indicates a faulty adapter. An issue affecting only one specific paired device is a pairing record problem, not a driver problem. Deleting and re-pairing that one device usually resolves it.

Warning: Do not run third-party driver scanner tools immediately after uninstalling a Bluetooth driver. These tools can install incorrect or mismatched drivers before Windows completes its own Plug and Play hardware detection. Finish the restart, wait the 60 seconds, run Action > Scan for hardware changes, and let Windows attempt automatic reinstallation before using any external tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reinstall the Bluetooth driver in Windows 11?

Press Win+X, select Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click the main adapter entry, and select Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software and click Uninstall. Restart the PC. Windows reinstalls the Bluetooth driver automatically during restart. If the adapter does not reappear after 60 seconds, open Device Manager, click the Action menu, and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows 11 24H2 users should check Optional Updates in Windows Update settings first before any manual steps.

Why is Bluetooth missing from Device Manager in Windows 11?

The four most common reasons are that the Bluetooth driver was removed by a Windows Update, the adapter is greyed out and needs to be enabled via View > Show hidden devices, the Bluetooth hardware is disabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings, or a hardware connection issue exists on combo wireless cards. Work through Method 4 in order: show hidden devices, check Hardware IDs for an Unknown device (VID_8087 confirms Intel), check Optional Updates in Windows Update, verify the BIOS Bluetooth setting, and check for a disconnected internal USB cable on combo cards.

Will reinstalling the Bluetooth driver delete my paired devices?

Yes, in most cases. Uninstalling the Bluetooth driver removes the pairing data stored for all Bluetooth devices. After reinstalling the driver, previously paired devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, and phones will need to be paired again. Put each device into pairing mode, go to Settings > Bluetooth and devices, and complete the pairing process fresh. Some devices retain pairing memory on the device side and reconnect more quickly.

How do I reinstall the Bluetooth driver without internet?

Windows stores downloaded drivers in a local DriverStore cache at C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore. After uninstalling the driver and restarting, Windows checks this local cache first before checking the internet. If the driver was installed previously and the DriverStore cache still contains it, Windows reinstalls the driver without internet. If the driver is not in the cache, you need internet access or a USB drive containing the driver package downloaded from the manufacturer’s site on another device.

What should I not uninstall when removing the Bluetooth driver?

Only uninstall the main Bluetooth adapter entry such as Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Realtek Bluetooth Adapter, or Qualcomm Bluetooth. Do NOT uninstall Bluetooth Generic Attribute Profile, Bluetooth LE (Low Energy), Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator, or Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator. These profile entries govern how Windows communicates with modern Bluetooth devices that use the Bluetooth LE protocol. Removing them causes pairing failures with most current Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, and mice.

How do I download the Intel Bluetooth driver for Windows 11?

Go to intel.com/support and download the Intel Driver and Support Assistant. Run it and the tool automatically detects your Intel wireless hardware and downloads the correct Bluetooth driver for your exact model and Windows version. Alternatively, search for your specific adapter model (such as Intel Wireless-AC 9260 or Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201) on the Intel support site and download the Bluetooth driver package directly. The Intel DSA tool is the easier option for most users.

Why does Bluetooth keep disappearing after Windows Update?

Major Windows Updates sometimes replace manufacturer Bluetooth drivers with generic Windows drivers that are incompatible with specific hardware. If this happens consistently, use Method 3 (Roll Back Driver) immediately after the update reinstalls the wrong driver. To prevent recurring overrides, temporarily pause Windows Updates at Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates after rolling back. Check your PC manufacturer’s support page for an update-compatible driver and install it manually before unpausing Windows Update.

How do I know if my Bluetooth driver reinstall worked?

Confirm success through four checks: Device Manager shows the adapter without a yellow triangle or red X and the Device status reads “This device is working properly.” The Bluetooth icon appears in the system tray or in the hidden icons panel. Settings > Bluetooth and devices shows the toggle working and begins scanning for nearby devices. A real Bluetooth device pairs successfully and operates without audio lag or connection drops. All four checks passing together confirm a fully successful reinstall.

What is the Bluetooth Generic Attribute Profile in Device Manager?

The Bluetooth Generic Attribute Profile (also shown as GATT) is a Windows component that manages communication between Windows and Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) devices. It handles the protocol layer that modern Bluetooth accessories use for initial discovery, pairing, and data exchange. It is not the main adapter driver and should not be uninstalled during a Bluetooth driver reinstall. Uninstalling it breaks Bluetooth LE functionality and prevents modern headphones, keyboards, and mice from pairing correctly.

Can I reinstall the Bluetooth driver without uninstalling it first?

Yes, using Method 2 (Update driver > Search automatically). This instructs Windows to search for and install a newer or replacement driver over the existing one without uninstalling first. This works for performance issues, minor errors, and connectivity problems. For persistent yellow triangle errors, red X marks, Code 10 errors, or corrupted driver files, a full uninstall via Method 1 is more reliable because it removes the corrupted files before installing a clean replacement.