Bluetooth & Network Adapters Disappeared


rdntgdds

Member
Local time
5:57 PM
Posts
1
OS
Windows 11
Will do my best to keep it brief, but: Have been running on Ethernet for a good while, installed Windows 11 about a month ago after the announcement that security updates for 10 would be phased out, have kept up with regular updates up to 24H2. Recently acquired a printer for personal use, and realized I had to connect to it via the local network. Started digging through basic system settings and soon realized that Wi-Fi options had disappeared entirely, Bluetooth going along with them. They were functioning up to about five days ago on 11 perfectly fine, but now aren't showing at all in Start bar options, system settings, or even Device Manager. I've taken all the typically suggested routes up to this point including but not limited to updating my motherboard/system drivers, setting WWAN and WLAN config to Automatic, enabling hidden drivers to make sure they aren't just displayed elsewhere, using the onboard troubleshooting, but despite all efforts, the system isn't even giving me the option to browse typical system settings for Bluetooth or wireless networks. Is there anything I can do at this point short of waiting for a possible future update to fix this? System specs are on profile, happy to provide any other information necessary.
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 24H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Raphael Am5 4.2GHz 8-Core
    Motherboard
    MSI B650M-P
    Memory
    Teamgroup T-Create DDR5-6000 16GB x2
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
    PSU
    G.Skill 850W 80 Plus Gold
The Bluetooth function is usually included on the Wireless/Wi-Fi adapter. If not showing in Device Manager there may be a hardware issue. Notebooks have the Wireless and Desktops usually have it as an Option, my ASUS M52 about 8 years ago came that way. I now have a Dell Vostro Desktop with it as well as an HP Desktop I was given for parts but fixed.

When I've had adapter issues usually rebooting fixed them, Desktops may work better after disconnecting the power cable for a minute. Same for older Notebooks with the removable battery but newer ones use a gel-pac and not as easy.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
In powershell, this should give you the device status of your bluetooth hardware device
Powershell:
Get-PnpDevice -Class Bluetooth | ? { $_.InstanceID -notlike "BTH*" } | fl *

If nothing is returned I would echo and expand on Berton's point.
You might have either
  • I hardware issue/bad device
  • Device is hard disabled (this can be done via firmware (BIOS/UEFI), a hardware switch on the device, or a function key
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

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