bluetooth not found in Win 11 reinstall

[Henrythe8th]

@ChatGPT
Hello again, it looks like there is no bluetooth in my PC:

AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with Radeon Graphics 3.90 GHz
16.0 GB (13.9 GB usable)
00326-10000-00000-AA176
64-bit operating system, x64-based processo
Windows 11 Home
24H2
5/‎15/‎2025
26100.4061

Can you help me get it back please?

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Henry! If you’re not seeing any Bluetooth options on your PC—especially after a Windows 11 reinstall or update—there are a few things to check before assuming it’s a software glitch.

1. Does Your Hardware Support Bluetooth?​

Your AMD Ryzen 5 5600G does not include built-in Bluetooth. Bluetooth support depends on your motherboard; many desktop boards do not include it unless it's specified. Some pre-built PCs or laptops have it, but most custom desktops require a separate card or USB dongle for Bluetooth.
First, verify:

• Did you have a Bluetooth option before the reinstall?
• Is there any Bluetooth device listed in Device Manager now (under “Bluetooth” or “Other Devices”)?

2. Common Reasons for Missing Bluetooth​

• No physical Bluetooth adapter: If your PC never had Bluetooth hardware, you won’t see Bluetooth options.
• Drivers not installed: Windows might not have picked up the driver after reinstall. But if there’s no adapter, no driver will help!
• BIOS setting: Rare, but some BIOS versions can enable/disable Bluetooth modules.

3. How to Check for Bluetooth Hardware​

• Open Device Manager:
  Press Win + X → Device Manager → Look for “Bluetooth” category or any “Unknown device.”
  • If nothing, AND you’re on a desktop, you likely don’t have Bluetooth hardware.
• Check Motherboard Specs:
  Google your motherboard model (it should be on the board or box) with the word “Bluetooth.” Most desktop boards don’t have it.

4. How to Add Bluetooth (if you don’t have it)​

• Buy a USB Bluetooth dongle (they are inexpensive, plug-and-play on Windows 11).
• Plug it in—Windows should detect and set up Bluetooth right away, and “Bluetooth” will appear in Settings.

---

If You’re Sure You Had Bluetooth Before:​

• Double-check Device Manager for any disabled/blind drivers.
• Right-click and “Show hidden devices.”
• Go to BIOS (usually F2 or Del at startup) and look for “Onboard Bluetooth,” make sure it’s enabled.
• Check for Windows Updates or run the motherboard maker’s driver utility.

---

Summary Table​

Scenario	Action
No Bluetooth hardware ever	Buy & plug in a USB Bluetooth dongle
Had Bluetooth before, now missing	Check Device Manager drivers, BIOS, run Windows Update
Still missing after all steps	It’s almost certainly missing hardware; USB dongle is fastest fix

---

Let me know:

• Did your PC have Bluetooth before?
• What’s your exact motherboard model?
• Do you see “Bluetooth” at all in Device Manager?

If you want to troubleshoot further, I can walk you through steps for adding an adapter, or troubleshooting drivers if you find hardware is present but undetected!

 

[datawizard0103]

Your PC likely doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, which is common for desktop systems using the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G. To confirm, open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager. If you don’t see “Bluetooth” listed, it means the feature isn’t available.
You can also check your motherboard model by typing msinfo32 into the Start menu and looking at the BaseBoard Product entry. Search that model online to see if it includes Bluetooth support—most don’t.
The simplest solution is to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, which is small, inexpensive, and easy to set up.

 

[ChatGPT]

Your explanation is accurate and practical. Here’s a summary (and expansion for clarity):
Why Bluetooth Is Missing:

• Most desktop motherboards—including those paired with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G—do not include built-in Bluetooth features.
• To confirm, open Device Manager (Windows + X > Device Manager). If “Bluetooth” doesn’t appear, there’s no native Bluetooth adapter detected.

Double-Checking Your Hardware:

• Run msinfo32 from the Start menu. Check the BaseBoard Product entry, and search for your motherboard’s specs online. If Bluetooth isn’t mentioned, it’s not included (this is normal for most desktops).

Solution:

• The quickest fix is a USB Bluetooth adapter/dongle. These are inexpensive, plug-and-play, and will instantly add Bluetooth connectivity.

Bonus Tip:
If you’re building a PC in the future and want Wi-Fi/Bluetooth onboard, look for a motherboard that explicitly advertises “Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Combo.” Otherwise, USB adapters work flawlessly.
Let me know if you need adapter recommendations or setup steps!

 

[Henrythe8th]

@ChatGPT
I found my PC order and:

It has the Gigabyte 1733MBps Internal Wifi + Bluetooth Card +£21.6 ...
I have an external Wifi antenna on top of the PC.

There's no Bluetooth listed in Device Manager
It was working before, the Bluetooth symbol appeared in pop up window from the lower right hand corner of the display. And now there is not one.

 

[ChatGPT]

That’s excellent info! Since your PC has a Gigabyte WiFi + Bluetooth internal card, you absolutely should have Bluetooth capability.
If Bluetooth is still missing in Windows, here’s how to get it back on track:

---

1. Check Device Manager for Bluetooth​

• Press Win + X → choose Device Manager
• Look for “Bluetooth” in the list. If it’s missing, expand “Network adapters” and “Other devices” for anything unidentified or marked with a yellow triangle.
• If present but disabled, right-click and choose Enable.

---

2. Update or Reinstall the Bluetooth Driver​

1. Visit the Gigabyte Support Website:
   • Go to the Gigabyte Support page.
   • Enter your WiFi/Bluetooth card model number (from your order invoice or the card itself).
   • Download and install the latest Bluetooth driver (not just WiFi).
2. Alternatively, use Windows Update:
   • Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

---

3. Power Off, Reseat Card​

• Power off PC fully
• Unplug and replug the WiFi/Bluetooth card (if comfortable opening your PC)—sometimes cards become unseated during install or a move.

---

4. BIOS/UEFI Settings​

• Some motherboards let you enable/disable onboard Bluetooth. Double-check that it’s enabled (if there’s an option).

---

5. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter​

• Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Bluetooth → Run

---

Still Not Working?​

• If you see a device in Device Manager with a yellow warning or “Unknown device,” right-click → Update driver → Search automatically.
• Let me know the model number of your card if you need a specific driver link.
• If you want to share a screenshot of Device Manager, I can help spot any issues.

---

Summary:
With a Gigabyte WiFi + Bluetooth card, you should see Bluetooth in Device Manager. If you don’t, it’s almost always a driver install, Windows update, or a connection issue with the card itself.
Let me know what you find, or if you want step-by-step walkthroughs for any of the above!

 

[Henrythe8th]

-Blootooth not found in Device Manager
-Windows Update ran
-Ha! Gigabyte "The website is currently under maintenance. "

I'll be baaaaack!

 

[ChatGPT]

No worries, Henry! It sounds like you’re thorough—great job checking Device Manager and running Windows update. If the Gigabyte site is temporarily down, don’t let that slow you down.
Here’s a plan for when you’re back:

1. Check for “Unknown devices” in Device Manager—these sometimes appear if the Bluetooth/WiFi card is missing drivers.
2. Make a note of any hardware IDs for unknown devices (right-click, Properties → Details tab → Hardware Ids)—those can help me find the exact driver, even if Gigabyte’s site is having a meltdown.
3. I’m ready to help search through the files you just uploaded if you think they might include your card’s documentation or any drivers you have!

Just post here when you’re back—or upload a screenshot or hardware ID info—and we’ll get your Bluetooth sorted!

 

[Henrythe8th]

@ChatGPT
Searching the actual part no. Maybe GC-WB1733D-I
I found a Reddit response:
"That card is just a rebranded Intel AC9260. Gigabyte's website typically lags way way behind on driver releases. Grab the newest version straight from Intel and try it: Intel® Wireless-AC 9260 Downloads, Drivers and Software | Intel"

What do ya think Mr. Chat?

 

[ChatGPT]

That’s a spot-on Reddit find, Henry! The Gigabyte GC-WB1733D-I is indeed essentially an Intel AC9260 under the hood. Using the latest drivers directly from Intel is both smart and usually more reliable than waiting for a branded (and often outdated) Gigabyte package.

Here’s what you should do:​

1. Go to the Intel® Wireless-AC 9260 Drivers page.
2. Download BOTH:
   • The latest Bluetooth driver
   • The latest Wi-Fi driver (optional, but often good to update both)
3. Install the Bluetooth driver first.
   (Run the installer and reboot if prompted.)
4. Check Device Manager after install.
   • You should now see “Bluetooth” as a category.
   • If you still see “Unknown device,” repeat the install, or try manually updating the driver by pointing Device Manager to the extracted driver folder.

---

Mr. Chat verdict:
You’ve got excellent advice—follow it! Intel’s drivers are current and well-supported, and this should restore your Bluetooth functionality unless there’s a deeper hardware issue.
Let me know if you hit any issues with the install or if Device Manager still doesn’t show Bluetooth afterward. I can walk you through troubleshooting from there!

 

[Henrythe8th]

Ok, after rebooting is see this, but not this.

I checked for updates again and nothing.

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks, Henry! Here’s what I see from your screenshots:

• Device Manager Screenshot shows your Intel® Wireless-AC 9260 Wi-Fi adapter installed and working under Network Adapters.
• Bluetooth Category is Missing from Device Manager.
• Bluetooth Connect Error prompts you to "turn on Bluetooth," but you have no hardware listed, confirming it’s not detected by Windows.

---

What This Means​

Your card’s Wi-Fi part is recognized and works. However, Windows still does not detect the Bluetooth part of your card—which is pretty common with these combo modules if the Bluetooth “USB” connection isn’t present, or if the Bluetooth driver didn't install correctly.

---

What to Try Next​

1. Make Sure the Bluetooth Header Cable is Connected​

• The GC-WB1733D-I card needs a small internal USB cable (often a white 4- or 5-pin cable) plugged from the card to your motherboard’s USB 2.0 header.
  • If this cable isn’t connected, the Bluetooth radio will NEVER show up, no matter how many drivers you try.
  • If you built the PC or can open it, check for this physical connection. You should see:
    • Wi-Fi antenna cables at the back.
    • A thin cable running from the card to your motherboard USB pins (usually labeled USB1, USB2…).
  • If you didn’t build it yourself, ask your PC seller or techy friend to confirm this connection is made.

2. Install/Update the Bluetooth Driver (If the Cable is Connected)​

• Download the latest Bluetooth driver from the Intel® Wireless-AC 9260 page.
  • Run the installer.
  • Reboot, and check Device Manager again for a Bluetooth category.

3. More Troubleshooting​

• In Device Manager: View → Show hidden devices. See if Bluetooth appears greyed out.
• If you see any “Unknown device,” right-click → Update driver → Browse to the downloaded Intel Bluetooth driver.

---

Summary Table​

Step	What to Check	Why
1	Internal USB header cable from card to motherboard	Needed for Bluetooth!
2	Bluetooth driver install from Intel	Enables Bluetooth stack
3	Device Manager (Show Hidden Devices)	Hidden/ghost devices

---

This is almost always the missing-cable issue with these cards, since Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use different hardware connections.
If you’re OK opening your case, check for that USB cable—it’s likely the fix!
Let me know if you need a photo or diagram of what to look for, or want a more detailed walk-through!

 

[Henrythe8th]

Just a quesstion in trying the driver again, I two options, but don't know what they mean.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great question! Here’s what the options mean on the Intel Bluetooth driver installer:

• USB:
  This is the part you need for your Bluetooth functionality! The Bluetooth side of your Gigabyte/Intel-ac9260 card connects to your PC via an internal USB header, so installing the USB driver is essential for Bluetooth to work.
• PCI:
  This typically refers to drivers/services related to the PCI interface, which is usually tied to the Wi-Fi portion of your card. Sometimes the Bluetooth function isn't tied to PCI directly, but it's fine to leave this checked as well.

Recommendation:

• Leave both USB and PCI checked (selected to install), unless you have a reason not to. If you’re only after Bluetooth, the most essential is the USB driver.

Summary:

• USB = Bluetooth
• PCI = (possibly) secondary Wi-Fi-related driver coverage

Go ahead and proceed with both selected. If that still doesn’t bring up Bluetooth in Device Manager, remember to check the internal USB cable connection on your card.
Let me know what happens after installation!

 

[Henrythe8th]

Ok GP,
Well what do ya know, I unplugged and replugged the card USB cable and it worked!
One bennefit was I blew out all the dust, first time ever! LOL
thanks again for a great trouble shooting experience.

 

[ChatGPT]

That’s fantastic news, Henry! Sometimes good old-fashioned unplug-and-replug (with a side of dust busting) does the trick—and now you’ve got both a working Bluetooth and a fresher, cleaner PC. Call it bonus maintenance!
If you ever run into funkier issues or just want another troubleshooting adventure, you know where to find me. Enjoy your fully functional PC and those now-reliable wireless connections!
If there’s anything else you want to tune up, just shout.