Bluetooth woes after system update

OS: Windows 11 Pro

So, I think Microsoft hates bluetooth.

About 2 weeks ago my system updated and all of the sudden my MB's onboard BT adapter stopped working. Device manager sees the adapter, but says there was an error starting the device.

I must have read 15 different articles and watched at least 5 videos all giving the same steps to take to fix the issue:
Nothing worked.

Yesterday I remembered I had an ASUS USB BT adapter in another PC that I'm no longer using. So I plugged it in and BAM! I had bluetooth again.

Today I got home from work and saw that windows had updated again, and now the adapter that was working yesterday also has a problem starting.

Any ideas as to what else I can try?

HI AcesDnied, welcome to the ElevenForums

Not sure what good it will do but you didn’t mention:


You could also try removing the drivers alltogether and rebooting, let Windows have a go

Also, please, this can help other members help you:

Please type “Winver” into search on your PC and open it. Please type the version and build that it reports, into your “System Specs” OS section (first on the list where you have placed “Windows 11 Pro”)

Like this for example: Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.3296

This link will open your System Specs.
https://www.elevenforum.com/account/system-specs

Thank you

If nothing else has helped, have you considered an in-place repair upgrade? NOTE: Option Two is the only option left unless you are on an Insiders Preview. (Option One)


Whatever you do, backup Windows first.

I tried the DISM command and the operation completed successfully. Rebooted and still no change.

I did select the option to remove the drivers from the system and let windows auto install the device. Same problem. I downloaded the latest (and a couple of older versions) drivers directly from Intel in an attempt to overwrite whatever driver windows had, but that didin't solve the issue either.

The fact that two adapters by a different manufacturers both stopped working in the exact same scenario leads me to believe its a Windows issue, but what the actual cause is has me baffled.

I did look at the in place upgrade but I was hoping to exhaust all other avenues before trying that.

I'll probably give that a try when I head to bed and see what things look like in the morning.

AcesDnied said:

I would go out and buy a new adapter specifically stated to be Windows 11 compatabile

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I agree that the same issue would probably arise.

In my opinion you have tried most things, but I don’t speak for every member here. I would seriously consider an In-Place Upgrade.

Do you remember which update this problem followed? You could try removing it to see if the issue disappears.

Also, have you considered updateing Windows to 23H2?

You can do so with this:


Install, then run Windows Update again to make sure you have everything.

Thanks for the info. I'm currently doing the in-place upgrade and I'll try your other tips as well if this doesn't resolve the issue.

Yes, I did try rolling back the update (2024-02 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5034765), and that did temporarily fix the issue, but the next time Windows updated I could not undo it, and Windows removed any previous restore points, and created my first one after the update was installed.

The update installed today was: 2024-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5035853)

I think my last resort will be transfering whatever I need to my external drive and simply reinstalling the OS, and at that point I'll probably end up doing what I used to do years ago, turn off windows update. I've had no end of problems with the service. I worked at a repair shop about 10 years ago, and even then we had people come in every few months with problems related to Windows Update. I was hoping they had worked out most of the kinks by now.

AcesDnied said:

KB5035853

Click to expand...

There have been other complaints, apparently.

AcesDnied said:

I'll probably end up doing what I used to do years ago, turn off windows update. I've had no end of problems with the service

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It’s a pain in the rear, and confusing as some of us fair well where others don’t.

Make sure that only ONE BT adapter is installed.... Internal one first!! keep usb BT unplugged.

PenPusher said:

Make sure that only ONE BT adapter is installed.... Internal one first!! keep usb BT unplugged.

Click to expand...

I have a Notebook with Wireless 802.11n and Bluetooth that works except at my daughter's house, her Router is mostly for streaming and hir ISP set it for 5G only. My Notebook has only 2G so I use a USB Dongle that gives me both 802.11ax with 5G and latest Bluetooth but I have to turn off both internals in Device Manager to use it.

AcesDnied said:

About 2 weeks ago my system updated and all of the sudden my MB's onboard BT adapter stopped working. Device manager sees the adapter, but says there was an error starting the device.

Click to expand...

what was the error code?

What is the device hardware ID? You can find this by opening the item in device manager and go under details > hardware ID

AcesDnied said:

that point I'll probably end up doing what I used to do years ago, turn off windows update.

Click to expand...

Please don't do this. For every person that disables updates, is potentially another malware spreader.