For a Bluetooth mouse on Windows 11 that stopped being found after removal, use this order:
- Check the basics.
- Make sure the mouse is turned on.
- Make sure it has charge or fresh batteries.
- Put the mouse back into pairing mode.
- Move it closer to the PC.
- If it is near a USB 3.0 device, move that device away if possible, because unshielded USB devices can interfere with Bluetooth.
- Confirm Bluetooth is on in Windows 11.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth and devices.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Check for Windows updates.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install anything available.
- Restart the PC.
- Go to Start > Power > Restart.
- Try pairing the mouse again.
- In Settings > Bluetooth and devices, add the device again while the mouse is in pairing mode and within range.
- If the mouse still is not found, update the Bluetooth driver.
- Right-click Start > Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter, then select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- Restart if prompted.
- If Bluetooth is missing, grayed out, or still not working, fully power off the PC instead of just restarting.
- Hold Shift.
- Select Start > Power > Shut down.
- Wait 1 minute, then turn the PC back on.
- If needed, reinstall the Bluetooth adapter.
- In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Uninstall device.
- Shut down the PC, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.
- If it does not, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- If Windows still cannot restore Bluetooth, install the latest Bluetooth driver from the PC manufacturer.
If the Bluetooth toggle or icon is missing in Windows 11, that usually points to a Bluetooth hardware, driver, or firmware problem. Microsoft recommends contacting the PC manufacturer because they may have model-specific steps.
References:
- Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
- [Windows 11)](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/troubleshoot-bluetooth-not-connecting-in-windows#solution-6-check-for-windows-updates)
- [Windows 11)](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-disappeared-in-windows#summary)
- [Windows 10)](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-10)