Windows 10: Bluetooth Broken, Only Shows Under Hidden Devices

Late yesterday night, I started having problems with my Bluetooth. For some reason even though it was on and my headphones had long since been paired with the laptop, it wasn't actually connecting; it would just say "Connected" in the menu for a few moments, then revert without actually having connected. I turned the Bluetooth on and off again a few times, then unpaired and re-paired my headphones, and finally decided to restart my laptop. When I did, I could no longer turn Bluetooth on, and it had disappeared from my sidebar settings. I was told to try and see if Bluetooth would show up in my

:)

 

Bluetooth Driver Disappears from Device Manager and Settings/Devices

Hi,



Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern regarding the issue that you are facing.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps

Method 1: Troubleshoot

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter to check and fix issues with hardware and devices. I would suggest you to run this troubleshooter to check if the issue is with your Drive. Refer these steps:

• Press Windows key +X, select Control panel
• Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons
• Click on troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel
• Run the Hardware and devices troubleshooter

You may follow the steps and check if it helps in resolving the issue, as the device might be hidden.

• Press Windows key + X.
• Click on Device Manager.
• Click on View.
• Click on Show Hidden Devices.
• Search for the Bluetooth device.
• Right click on the Bluetooth device and click
  uninstall.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist

 

Device Manager Un-Hiding Hidden Devices

When you connect a plug and play device, Windows Plug and Play manager detects it, finds and installs the driver. Device Manager lists the device with a solid icon.

The driver is only removed when you uninstall the device, not simply by disconnecting the device. When the device is disconnected, its driver is still installed. By default, Device Manager only displays connected devices. When you show hidden devices, note the Bluetooth icon you see is semi-transparent (not opaque). That indicates a "non-present" device. Sometimes also called a "ghost" device. The driver is still installed but the device is not currently detected (i.e. not connected).

Device can be disconnected when

• Device unplugged (e.g. removing a USB device)
• Turning a device OFF
• Disabling the device in BIOS (then windows won't detect it) or
• Device failure

So

• Check BIOS as suggested
• Check board connections
• Can b/t be turned off by a switch? or keyboard combination?

Also possible the b/t h/w failed

 

WiFi and Bluetooth Options Disappeared from Device management

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

Step 1: Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter.

• 
  Press Windows key +X, select
  Control panel.
  
• 
  Change the view by option on the top right to
  Large icons.
  
• 
  Click on troubleshooting and click on the
  view all option on the left panel.
  
• 
  Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter.
  

Step 2: You may follow the steps and check if it helps in resolving the issue, as the device might be hidden.

• • 
    Press Windows key + X.
    
  • 
    Click on Device Manager.
    
  • 
    Click on View.
    
  • 
    Click on Show
    Hidden Devices.
    
  • 
    Search for the Bluetooth device.
    

Keep us posted on this issue so that we can assist you better.