How to Reinstall the Bluetooth Driver on Windows 10

When Bluetooth on Windows 10 stops working, disappears from Settings, or won’t pair with devices, reinstalling the Bluetooth driver often fixes it. Windows can reinstall the driver automatically after you remove it, or you can install a fresh driver from your PC or adapter maker. This guide walks through both, plus what to check if the Bluetooth adapter is missing entirely.

Quick Answer

Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand Bluetooth, right-click your Bluetooth adapter, and choose Uninstall device. Confirm, then restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically when it starts.

Method 1: Uninstall and Let Windows Reinstall

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Bluetooth. Look for the adapter, usually named with the chip maker plus “Wireless Bluetooth” or “Bluetooth Adapter.” (Ignore entries like “Bluetooth Device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI)”; those are software components.)
3. Right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device.
4. Leave Delete the driver software for this device unchecked for a simple reinstall. Check it if you suspect the driver itself is corrupted (you’ll then install a fresh one).
5. Click Uninstall, then restart the PC.
6. After restarting, Windows detects the adapter and installs a driver. If it doesn’t, open Device Manager and click Action > Scan for hardware changes.

Method 2: Install the Latest Driver from the Manufacturer

1. Find your PC’s model number (on a label or in System Information) or your USB Bluetooth adapter’s model.
2. Go to the PC maker’s support site (or the chip maker’s site) and download the latest Bluetooth driver for Windows 10.
3. Uninstall the current driver as in Method 1, checking Delete the driver software.
4. Run the downloaded installer and restart.

On many laptops, the Bluetooth driver comes bundled with the Wi-Fi driver package because both run on the same chip.

Method 3: Update the Driver Through Windows

• In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
• Also check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates > Driver updates.

If Bluetooth Is Missing from Device Manager

• Show hidden devices: click View > Show hidden devices and look again.
• Check other categories: the adapter may appear under Other devices (with a yellow warning) or Network adapters.
• Turn off airplane mode and make sure Bluetooth isn’t disabled with a keyboard shortcut or switch.
• Full shutdown: hold Shift and click Shut down, or turn off Fast startup in Power Options, then power on again.
• Check BIOS/UEFI: some laptops can disable wireless or Bluetooth in firmware settings.
• USB adapters: try a different USB port, and avoid unpowered hubs.

After Reinstalling

1. Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and turn Bluetooth on.
2. Remove old pairings that don’t work (click the device > Remove device) and pair again.
3. If problems continue, run Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Bluetooth.
4. Make sure the Bluetooth Support Service is running: press Windows + R, type services.msc, and set it to Automatic.

Icon missing? See how to show the Bluetooth icon in Windows 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reinstalling the driver remove my paired devices?

It can. You may need to pair headphones, mice, and keyboards again.

Is it safe to uninstall the Bluetooth driver?

Yes. Windows reinstalls a working driver on restart. If you use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, have a wired one available just in case.

Summary

1. Open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth.
2. Right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device.
3. Restart so Windows reinstalls the driver, or install the latest one from the manufacturer.
4. Re-pair your devices and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter if needed.