Solved Bluetooth has disappeared

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dolthos

dolthos

PCHF Member
Sep 30, 2022
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I can't say how it happened as I regularly used my air-pods to enjoy music via the Bluetooth connection, and then one time I could no longer connect. The Bluetooth switch had disappeared, along with the icons etc. I checked in the Device manager and it was nowhere to be seen except under the "hidden devices" within the "View" heading. This happened once a few years ago and I do not remember how I retreived it, but it was done through the "Hidden Devices" tab.I have tried to use the Bluetooth troubleshooter, but it has not been of any help. Any ideas out there?
 
Have you restarted the pc to see if this reinstalls the driver?
Have you manually reinstalled the driver from the pc manufacturer’s website?
You might have to reinstall an older driver via the device’s entry within device manager if it doesn’t show then check under show hidden devices.
Right click device.
Choose update driver.
Choose ‘browse my computer for drivers’.
Choose ‘let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer’.
Choose the compatible hardware from the list, then choose next.
Choose one of the drivers from the list shown, then click next.
This will then reinstall the driver.
 
V/B
I had forgotten that my pc is not Bluetooth compliant, and I have to use a USB-type dongle to obtain Bluetooth. Do you think that could be where the problem lies?
I have only had the computer for 2-3 years and It previously belonged to my son, but I fitted the external dongle when I took over it. I don't know what kind of life expectancy these things have, but I think I shall go out tomorrow and purchase a new one.
I did follow your advice by going into the hidden devices and updating the driver on the item "Generic Bluetooth Radio". This appeared at the first attempt to work, but then I did it again several times and saw the same result each time, "Driver updated", unlike trying other items under the Bluetooth banner, and receiving the message - "best drivers are fitted"!
Thanks for your help.
 
V/B
Yes. Initially, it was connected to a hub extension, but then I used 3 different direct-to-PC ports. All unsuccessful!
Thank You
 
What is the make and model of the bluetooth dongle. Is it lighting up at all? If it is, does it show any different lights than usual?
 
More to try:
Uninstall the device from device manager and restart Bluetooth service.
Start > services.msc
Right-click "Bluetooth Support Service."
Choose Automatic.
Go to device manager and right-click on your computer name and click "Scan for hardware changes"
Install the Bluetooth device drivers from the manufacturer's website, if any.

If the device isn’t showing under device manager or under show hidden devices then shutdown the pc, unplug the power cable & then reconnect, then go to device manager & see if there’s any unknown devices showing, if so uninstall this & then scan for hardware changes & hopefully Bluetooth will reappear.
 
D
Thank you for the reply. There are no lights showing and I can't remember if there ever were, my memory is not all that it should be!
It is a tp-link and model no. is - UB4A
 
V/B
I have tried to follow your instructions, But now there is no trace of B'tooth in dev.mgr.
When I clicked on the "B'tooth Support Service" there was no option "automatic", so I tried "Refresh", but that didn't get me anywhere that I needed to be.
Within the services, "Bluetooth support services" remain "running"
Today I called in at the only PC repair shop hoping to buy a new Bluetooth dongle, but he didn't have any and didn't expect to have any in the future!
I appreciate your advice.
Thanks
 
You can see about ordering on online through Amazon.

No drives are needed for Windows 8 or 10
If you were running Windows XP to 7 then there you would need to.

www.tp-link.com

Download for UB4A | TP-Link United Kingdom

TP Link - Download Center Detail
www.tp-link.com www.tp-link.com

Have you checked to make sure that the Bluetooth is not disabled in settings?

Have you connected the TP-Link to another computer to see if it recognizes it and works?

From what has been stated here there is a chance that is has gone out.
 
Thank you, Rusty, that is just what I was about to do. Buy through Amazon.
I hadn't checked it out on another pc.
 
What is BT support services set at currently? If you click on this it should open the settings in order to change it to automatic.
Did you restart the PC afterwards to reinstall the driver?
 
Within the last 5 minutes, I have received and installed a new USB Dongle courtesy of Amazon, and all is well once again seeing the Bluetooth icon on my taskbar!
Many thanks to all of you responders. Each response gave me further knowledge of all that makes my PC function.
dolthos
 
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