Windows 11 · Windows
Update or Reinstall a Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Use Windows Update first, update the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager, then uninstall and restart only if Microsoft’s Bluetooth troubleshooting calls for a reinstall.
Prepare the task and protect the current state
Protect irreplaceable files first: stop writing to affected storage, preserve existing backups and cloud copies, record file locations, and recover to a different destination whenever the supported tool requires it. Begin by confirming this task-specific prerequisite: Open Settings > Windows Update, check for updates and review relevant Optional updates.
Install Windows driver updates
Open Settings > Windows Update, check for updates and review relevant Optional updates.
Update the Bluetooth adapter
In Device Manager expand Bluetooth, right-click the adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically.
Use the PC manufacturer's driver
If Windows finds nothing and Bluetooth still fails, download the exact driver for the PC model from its official support site.
Reinstall only when needed
Right-click the adapter > Uninstall device, restart Windows and let it reinstall. Keep the manufacturer's installer available before removal.
Verify the complete result
Repeat the intended action with a harmless test and confirm this final condition: Right-click the adapter > Uninstall device, restart Windows and let it reinstall. Keep the manufacturer's installer available before removal. Reopen the relevant settings, destination, account, device, or application and compare it with the recorded starting state before deleting data, removing a recovery path, or relying on the change.
Use a reversible recovery path
If the result differs, undo only the latest change when possible, keep the original data, account, device configuration, driver, or installer intact, and compare the exact symptom with the linked Microsoft Support guidance. Record the version, time, error, and completed checks before contacting official support.
Optional sponsored tool
The supported procedure above does not require this third-party product. This optional link is retained from the original tutorial; Tech How may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Update or Reinstall a Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, log, file, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, driver, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Microsoft Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.