Lost Bluetooth from my PC

[MJ224]

Lost it. Its not in the Settings/Devices, and not in the Device manager.

I have an Anker Speaker and some earbuds, unsure when I last used them though. I have several restore points, but wary about going too far back. I did restore the last but one point, but no joy with Bluetooth.

Any ideas on how to reinstall Bluetooth from scratch?

TIA

[Ian]

It's probably a driver issue. Try to reinstall the Bluetooth driver. This can be done in various ways according to your laptop (some manufacturers include a utility for managing drivers and updates) or you can do it via the Windows Device Manager. Delete the driver, rescan your hardware and the device should be rediscovered and the appropriate driver found and reinstalled.

Ian

[rsh1960]

Just search blue tooth wireless driver and you will get a list of options, but try doing a search on your PC press windows key there should be a search option near the top.

[MJ224]

Just no sign of Bluetooth at all. I have done a search on C: drive, there are references to it at Windows/SxS, but it looks gobledy gook to me. I would not know how to use any of the files, they are all number and letters etc.

[Jax]

Mark, If the advice aready posted doesn't help, just type "bluetooth missing on PC" or "restore bluetooth on pc" into your address bar. It brings up numerous suggestions why it could have vanished and even more suggestions and options to restore it.

Good luck,

Jax

[MJ224]

Thanks for that. I followed one commentary, and so far no joy. Jeff might have a point. But when I was in Hawaii, the sister in law's Mac book might have come from outer space, as it was not all intuitive, following the use of a PC for the last 42 years or so...

[jima]

Lol! Sorry for your problems but just for balance after using PC's since even before there were PC's (44+ years or so) I find Mac's incredibly intuitive, what PC's could have been if M$ had got their act together and not been so complacent. Anyhoo, off topic, will see if I can contribute anything helpful. It looks like it is all there but Win just thinks it is turned off. Any system events of significance recently such as a Win update or a heavy duty installation of anything?

[MJ224]

Thanks Jima, yes recently I have had to reset passwords etc, so something occurred unexpectedly. In Device Manager, the Bluetooth icon is hidden. I can unhide it, but there is not body to it. It does not have the usual dll controls...

I am impressed by the M1 chip, and now an M2 I gather. Might just have a look at one. I think we have an Apple shop in Carmarthen, But after years pf PC's it will take a big shove to make me brave enough to learn new ways...

Might just buy an old Mac, and see how I get on with the system...

[blackfox]

the easiest way is to scrap it and buy a i.MAC get into the real world

[Jax]

You have a great sense of humour. I really needed a laugh this morning. 😁😁😁

Jax

[MikeOxon]

If all else fails, you can buy a tiny Bluetooth dongle that plugs into a USB port, for less than £10, which provides the capability to any PC. i used to use one on an old laptop that didn't have Bluetooth built in.

I have always found Bluetooth to be temperamental. Connecting my computer audio output to my Amazon Echo speaker is always hit and miss, and sometimes drops out for no apparent reason, even though the devices are in short line of sight. Similarly, my headphones seem to want to pair with anything except the device I actually want to use!

[OM USer]

I don't know if this is a laptop or desktop machine. If a laptop there might be a function key to turn bluetooth on or off in the same way that wi-fi can usually be turned on and off (I have also come across laptops with small switches on the side to do the same job). You could also boot into the BIOS to see if there are any setting there of any use.

[MJ224]

Laptop....no external buttons for Bluetooth. One narrative says boot up the laptop in safe mode and see what you get and might be able to switch on/off...

Unsure how to boot up in safe mode, i the old days I pressed f5 I think when switching on...

[OM USer]

I think nowdays you do it from within windows. Google says:

How to boot in Safe Mode in Windows 10
Hold down the Shift button as you click "Restart." ...
Choose "Troubleshoot" on the Choose an option screen. ...
Choose "Startup Settings" and then click Restart to get to the final selection menu for Safe Mode. ...
Enable Safe Mode with or without internet access.

[OM USer]

I know my bluetooth is working (well, actually I don't as I don't use it) but here is my device manager:


Right clicking gives you some options and I have selected "properties" and shown the "driver" tab.

Scanning for a hardware change (as suggested) is a good idea.

[jima]

"MJ224 commented
56 minutes ago


Thanks Jima, yes recently I have had to reset passwords etc, so something occurred unexpectedly. In Device Manager, the Bluetooth icon is hidden. I can unhide it, but there is not body to it. It does not have the usual dll controls...
I am impressed by the M1 chip, and now an M2 I gather. Might just have a look at one. I think we have an Apple shop in Carmarthen, But after years pf PC's it will take a big shove to make me brave enough to learn new ways...
Might just buy an old Mac, and see how I get on with the system..."

So as not to hijack Jax's post...

Just resurrected a dusty Win 10 PC only to find I took the Bluetooth out a while back - but a scan for changes as suggested is a good idea after checking that the device is not disabled in the BIOS. Re Macs, be ye not afeared, I finally managed it about four years ago (after wanting to for many more but unable to for work reasons) - I promise you wouldn't regret it. But first, the Bluetooth...

[MJ224]

Long story here, I lost my Bluetooth capability on the Dell Vostro laptop.

I reset Windows hoping it would re-install BT, which it did not! So having worked hard at getting all my programmes back, I was not a lot better off.

I have downloaded BT drivers, but the computer reports that it can't fing the BT device. That makes me think the BT chip/board had failed.

On start up, I now get a message reporting that it could not connect to All Network Drivers...it does though.

Beginning to wonder whether its time to replace the Dell with something perhaps faster and more reliable.....

Looked at Apple, but I think there are too many hurdles to cross, connectivity is the main one I think.

Have to add the Dell works OK despite the above, so maybe I don't need a change yet....

[Jax]

I can't speak for Mark but for me, the main connectivity problem would be between the Apple OS and my brain. I used to love a challenge in my younger days but now find the learnig curve on some items of technology both tedious and unwelcome. The thought of spending hours, maybe months, learning a new system would not be very attractive. I have just purchased a Laser Engraver Router. My main hobby is "Making Stuff" but having read and viewed many articles on the subject of laser engravers thought it would be relatively easy to master the use of one. I was wrong ! I didn't take into account the fact my brain, and memory were as old as I am so I am so now wondering if I should have bothered buying one.

[jima]

Sorry, I can no longer keep silent. The popular myth that Apple MacOS needs 'hours, maybe months' learning to master it is is just that. It is an untruth propagated and replicated by those who just do not know of what they speak. Are there differences? Yes, of course. Are they major? No, they are not. Are there benefits? Yes, absolutely. I speak as one who along the way has used Cromemco CDOS, North Star DOS, CP/M, MP/M, Cromix, Unix, MS-DOS, WFWG (Windows for Workgroups) , Windows (gladly ceased at Windows 8.1 Pro), Windows Server 20xx, OSX/MacOS (since Lion) and one or two others along the way. I still use MacOS (SIerra, High Sierra and Big Sur) alongside WIndows Server 2012 R2 every day. Is it an issue? No. Of course, you might reasonably say well, you have experience so of course it isn't an issue for you. A not unreasonable comment. I present to the Jury the High Commander (SWMBO) who struggled mightily with Windows 7 until I changed her laptop out for a Mac Mini and she took to it like a duck to water. At 60+ years of age (exact age a state secret) she uses it along with her iPad Mini every day and snarls at me if I try to take the iPad from her. So, a plea to the uninformed, stop perpetuating the myth that changing from Windows to MacOS is like an Englishman having to learn Mandarin. It simply isn't, so stop trying to say it is unless you have actually tried and failed. End of.

[Jax]

Jima you are correct, I probably am uninformed. However, you know nothing about me or my capabilities. When it comes to anything with the Apple logo on it, I intend to stay uninformed and would never purchase anything Apple. My reasons are my own business and I have no intention of sharing them. Everyone has differing opinions when it involves anything technical and we are all entitled to them. The fact that you happen to prefer Apple is your choice, and you have made that very clear. The manner in which you have made it clear is however rather un-necessary. End Of

[Jax]

Mark, why not simply get a USB Bluetooth Dongle ? They start at around £2.00 on Ebay. Much cheaper option than a new puter, although when we want something new, there are always plenty of reasons to justify the purchase

Jax

[MJ224]

Yes that's a possibility, if I can find a spare USB port. I only use BT as I have a nice quality speaker for music. The onboard speakers sound as if I am in a tin can..:-)

Dave, I want to use a monitor for size and convenience. Chappie in Curry's did not know how it could be connected...Possibility to have an Apple desktop, and keep the Dell for portability...Be good to hear your opinion. I also have a couple out SSD's attached to the Dell, as it only has 512Gb memory.......

[wornish]

You can connect most modern monitors to an Apple Laptop or a Mac Mini Desktop if they have a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. Curry's do sell Macs so the salesperson should know how to connect monitors, sounds like he needs to brush up his knowledge.

Have a look at the posts on here Paul. pdk42 made when he made the transition.
https://www.e-group.uk.net/forum/for...477#post855477

You can also simply plug in your SSDs if they have USB-C cables as well. If they have earlier versions of USB then a simple adapter fixes that. Macs can read and write to windows disks.

Yes the OS is different but it's pretty obvious what does what. The performance difference will be an eye-opener.

If you want a desktop then the M1 Mac Mini is more than capable of processing images. Don't touch the last Intel mac mini version Apple is still selling but it is about to be replaced by a new M2 version next month (I think) which is even more powerful.

[jima]

Agreed. Curry's chap is an IQ0. There is no monitor on the planet you can't connect to a Mac. Conversely, I have recent;y tried and failed to get a Dell 27" monitor correctly connected to a Windows 10 PC so after three video cards and 5 hours of my life I have given up on it. It will only run at 1920 x 1080 max whereas connect it to my MacBook Pro and bingo! 2560 x 1440 resolution instantly without a blink. Just goes to show...

[jima]

Long story here, I lost my Bluetooth capability on the Dell Vostro laptop.

I reset Windows hoping it would re-install BT, which it did not! So having worked hard at getting all my programmes back, I was not a lot better off.

I have downloaded BT drivers, but the computer reports that it can't fing the BT device. That makes me think the BT chip/board had failed.

On start up, I now get a message reporting that it could not connect to All Network Drivers...it does though.

Beginning to wonder whether its time to replace the Dell with something perhaps faster and more reliable.....

Looked at Apple, but I think there are too many hurdles to cross, connectivity is the main one I think.

Have to add the Dell works OK despite the above, so maybe I don't need a change yet....

Are there any onboard (or online perhaps) diagnostics for your Dell model which you can run which might confirm if there is a hardware issue with the BT interface or if it is perhaps disabled in the BIOS settings? If you have done a complete re-install of Windows including an install of Dell's own drivers for that model it would suggest an actual hardware issue, unusual though that would be unusual for a BT interface which has no hard connections to any peripherals.

Re Apple and connectivity, I have a MacBook Pro (several years old now) but with four Thunderbolt/USB-C ports. I regularly use it with two external monitors, two external USB drives and a MIDI interface. Connectivity issues? What connectivity issues? I was issued a a late model HP ProBook ilate 2021 during my last recent contract with far less connectivity. Need HDMI etc? The Apple interfaces aren't that expensive but if you balk at them there are shedloads of cheap but good quality multi-port USB-C adapters out there or hubs if you prefer (I use a CalDigit USB-C/Thunderbolt hub which has good support for both MacOS and Windows and have used it with both a Dell laptop and my MacBook Pro without issues).

Of course, your best option at this moment is to get your Dell working then you can consider options at leisure. Let us know if any diagnostics you can run provide any additional information.

[MJ224]

Thanks Dave and James...food for thought....

I have ordered a BT dongle, £2.99. So should not break the bank....

Interested in Apple, as long as I can use the monitor,, I have a dell one at the mo, presumably I can get a relevant cable..