How to Reinstall Bluetooth Driver on Windows 11

If Bluetooth is acting up on your Windows 11 PC, reinstalling the driver might help. Whether you are fixing connection issues, updating to the latest version, or trying to roll back, a fresh install can make a difference.

Most of the time, Windows handles drivers automatically, but sometimes it is better to install one manually for smoother performance. Find below a few different methods to reinstall BT drivers:

How to reinstall the Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11

Before you start, make sure your Bluetooth adapter is plugged in if you use an external one, Windows is updated, and your internet connection is stable. Also, it is a good idea to disconnect any Bluetooth devices to avoid problems. Once that is done, you can go ahead and reinstall the driver.

1. Uninstall the Bluetooth driver

1. Press Win + R on the keyboard to open Run.
2. Type the following command and click on OK: devmgmt.msc
3. Expand Bluetooth on the Windows Device Manager.
4. Right-click on the Bluetooth driver, for example, Realtek Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter, and choose Uninstall device.
5. Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click on Uninstall.

Now, you will lose Bluetooth ability on your PC or laptop. To get it back, you will need to install the necessary things again. See the next section for details.

2. Install it again

NOTE

After uninstalling, a simple restart can automatically install the BT driver again. If not, you can update Windows. It should automatically install the driver. However, it only happens in some cases. So, you should follow the methods mentioned below.

2.1 Use Device Manager

1. Open the Device Manager like before.
2. Select Bluetooth.
3. Click on Action from the menu and choose Scan for hardware changes.
4. If it doesn’t automatically install the driver, you may see a driver with a yellow explanatory sign.
5. Right-click on it and choose Update driver.
6. Then, choose your preferred way to install the driver.

If you want the latest driver, you should choose the automatic method. If the latest driver has some issues, download or collect the older version of the driver manually and choose that file from the device manager to install.

2.2 From the manufacturer’s website

1. Go to your motherboard or Bluetooth manufacturer’s website.
2. Find and go to its download center.
3. Look for the Bluetooth driver and download it.
4. Install it on your PC.

2.3 Use a third-party driver updater

We recommend you use a specialized driver updating tool to update or install any drivers on Windows 11 and 10. It is because this tool can download the latest drivers when the Device Manager often fails to detect the latest one.

Otherwise, these driver updaters can scan and update any outdated drivers automatically according to your own schedule.

Why has my Bluetooth disappeared from Windows?

If you notice that the Bluetooth icon or option has simply disappeared, it means there is something wrong. It can be with your Bluetooth adapter or the driver. In most cases, updating or re-installation of the driver should fix the issue. Otherwise, changing the BT adapter is the only option.

If you are interested, learn how to solve Bluetooth not detecting devices on Windows. If you’re using Windows 10 instead, here’s how to install a Bluetooth driver on Windows 10. And if you run into problems like error code 28, or you’re dealing with Intel hardware, check out the latest Intel Bluetooth driver update or read more about Intel’s recent driver improvements for better compatibility.

This article has shown you how to reinstall the Bluetooth driver on Windows 11 computers. If you have any suggestions or questions, write them down in the comment box.