In Windows 10, you can use Bluetooth to connect to headphones, webcams, and speakers or send files and folders to other local devices. So, it's definitely inconvenient when the Bluetooth button disappears from the Action Center.

Even if Bluetooth is functioning normally, it could be missing from the Action Center due to incorrect settings. Another reason for Bluetooth not showing up in the Action Center is that your system doesn’t recognize your Bluetooth devices.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to restore the Bluetooth button to the Windows 10 Action Center when it goes missing or breaks.

1. Restart and Update Windows

The missing Bluetooth button in Windows Action Center might be a temporary glitch. A third-party app might interfere with its functionality, which is why it’s temporarily missing.

Now, instead of going through every process that’s running on your device, you should restart your computer.

Additionally, an outdated operating system might cause the same issue. To update Windows to the latest version, right-click the Start button and select Settings. Then, go to Update & security > Windows update, and click the Check for updates button.

Check for updates on Windows 10

If there’s an update available but you don’t have the time to install it right now, there are a few ways you can manage Windows updates.

2. Edit the Quick Actions Menu

The Action Center menu is made of two parts. At the top, it displays notifications from your installed apps and system.

At the bottom is the Quick Actions menu, which contains the shortcuts to key settings. When there are multiple notifications that Windows 10 needs to display, it will collapse the Quick Actions menu to save space. To check all the shortcuts included in the Action Center menu, click Expand.

Bluetooth might be missing from Action Center because not all shortcuts are enabled by default, or you might’ve disabled the Bluetooth shortcut by mistake. No matter the cause, here is how you fix it:

  1. Press Win + A to open Action Center and select Manage notifications from the top-right corner.
  2. Click Edit your quick actions. This will open the Action Center menu.
  3. Select Add > Bluetooth > Done.
Quick action settings in Windows 10.

When editing mode is enabled, you can move the tiles around as you want. If you want the Bluetooth tile to be part of the collapsed menu, move it to the top row.

3. Check if Your Device Supports Bluetooth

If you don’t have the option of adding Bluetooth to the Action Center quick list, there is a chance your Bluetooth drivers are missing, or your device doesn’t support Bluetooth. Here is how you can check if Bluetooth is supported and configured properly on your device:

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings panel, then head to Devices.
  2. If the Bluetooth & other devices menu is visible, your device supports Bluetooth technology.
  3. If the menu is not visible, search for device manager in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.
  4. Check if there is a Bluetooth menu inside the available devices list.
    Device Manager menu in Windows 10.

Bluetooth might be inside the Hidden devices list, so click View > Show hidden devices and check if Bluetooth is listed.

If Bluetooth is missing from the list, you can add Bluetooth to your computer by using a Bluetooth adapter. When deciding which adapter you should get, check its compatibility properties.

4. Search for Hardware Changes

Besides providing an organized view of all installed hardware, you can also use the Device Manager as a troubleshooting tool.

  1. In the Start menu search bar, search for device manager and select the Best match.
  2. Your device should be first on the list. Right-click it and select Scan for hardware changes.
Scanning for hardware changes in Windows 10.

5. Update the Bluetooth Driver

If your Windows device supports Bluetooth, you should take a look at Bluetooth drivers. If the Bluetooth button went missing after a Windows update, the old Bluetooth drivers may not be fully compatible with the latest Windows version. In this case, updating the Bluetooth drivers should fix the issue.

Launch Device Manager and expand the Bluetooth list. Then, right-click the Bluetooth driver and select Update driver. In the pop up window, choose Search automatically for drivers > Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.

Update the Bluetooth driver in Windows 10

6. Check Bluetooth Settings

Even if the Notifications & actions settings are set the right way, you still need to check Bluetooth Settings.

  1. Click Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
  2. Under Related settings, click More Bluetooth Options.
  3. Select the Options tab and check Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area.
  4. Click Apply > OK.
    Bluetooth settings in Windows 10.

7. Turn Off Fast Startup

Fast startup helps speed up slow boot times on Windows, so it's usually a good idea to turn it on. However, it can interfere with programs set to run at startup, so it might be better to turn it off.

  1. Click Start > Settings > System.
  2. From the left-hand menu, select Power & sleep.
  3. Click Additional power settings > Choose what the power button does.
  4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
  6. Hit the Save changes button.
    Power settings in WIndows 10.

8. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Running the Bluetooth troubleshooter might be enough to fix most issues that interfere with Bluetooth functionality.

  1. Head to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
  2. Click Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
  3. From the Find and fix other problems menu, press Bluetooth > Run the troubleshooter.
Running Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 10.

The Bluetooth troubleshooter will fix any detected issues automatically. Once the process is complete, restart your PC or laptop and check if Bluetooth is now available within the Action Center menu.

9. Use the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

The Hardware and Device troubleshooter is now “hidden” in Windows 10. However, you can still access it using Command Prompt. Here is how you can do it:

  1. In the Start menu search bar, search for command prompt and select Run as administrator.
  2. Input msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic. This will open the troubleshooter.
  3. Click Next to launch the scan.
Hardware and devices troubleshooter in Windows 10.

The troubleshooter will find and fix problems with your Bluetooth devices. If it displays the Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem message, you have to try another solution.

10. Check the Bluetooth Support Service

A third-party app or a manual user action might’ve disabled the Bluetooth Support Service, removing the Bluetooth icon from the Action Center. Here is how you can check Bluetooth Support service settings:

  1. In the Start menu search bar, search for services and select the Best match.
  2. Double-click Bluetooth Support Service to open the Properties window.
  3. Check Service status at the bottom of the window. It should be Running.
  4. If the status is Running, click Stop and Start for a quick restart.
  5. If the status is not Running, use the drop-down menu next to Startup Type and select Automatic.
  6. Click the Apply button to save the new settings.
    Bluetooth service in Windows 10.

11. Use Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a handy tool you can find in the "Advanced options" menu. If you are experiencing issues that indicate system corruption, you can fix it using Windows Startup Repair.

  1. Press and hold Shift at the Windows sign-in screen.
  2. Click Power > Restart. Now you should view the boot screen.
  3. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
  4. Choose an administrator account and enter the password, if required.
  5. Click Continue.
  6. Restart your PC after the Startup Repair tool has run.
    Startup repair in Windows 10.

Bring Back Bluetooth to the Windows 10 Action Center

Nowadays, most gadgets support Bluetooth connectivity, so you don’t need a drawer full of wires to connect a microphone or a headphone set. Add to the comfort level by having Bluetooth settings a few clicks away using the troubleshooting tips listed within this article.