Bluetooth on my Windows 11 Pro system randomly disappears while I'm using the PC. It may work for hours, then Windows can no longer detect or use the onboard adapter. Device Manager has shown Code 45, and previously Code 43. A normal restart or shutdown does not restore it, but completely powering down the PC, switching off or unplugging the PSU, waiting briefly, and then starting it again reliably brings Bluetooth back.
The system uses a Ryzen 7 7700, MSI B650M GAMING WIFI (MS-7E30), 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 memory, a Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB, an MSI MAG A850GL PSU, Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview build 26200, and BIOS 1.F2 from July 3, 2026. The wireless module is the onboard AMD/MediaTek RZ616.
I have already reinstalled the Bluetooth and chipset drivers, tried MSI's drivers, updated the BIOS, removed and reinstalled the device in Device Manager, changed power-management settings, restarted Windows, and performed regular shutdowns. None of these has permanently solved the problem.
Because a full PSU power cycle always restores Bluetooth, I'm wondering whether this is related to a power state, firmware issue, driver problem, overheating, or a motherboard fault. Has anyone experienced this with the RZ616, particularly on an MSI B650M board? Is there a BIOS setting, driver version, Windows configuration, or reliable long-term fix that might stop this from happening?
3 Answers
The RZ616 and similar MediaTek wireless modules have a reputation for being unreliable in some systems. Since a complete power removal revives the adapter while a normal restart does not, this may be a hardware or firmware lockup rather than a simple driver installation problem. If troubleshooting does not help, replacing the wireless module with an Intel AX210 add-in card—or using a dedicated USB Bluetooth adapter if you only need Bluetooth—would likely be the most dependable workaround.
A failing or overheating wireless module, or a motherboard power-delivery issue affecting it, could also explain why removing standby power clears the problem. The fact that this has reportedly happened on another MSI B850M system suggests the board or module combination may be worth suspecting. Check temperatures and event logs if possible, but if the adapter continues disappearing after BIOS and driver updates, an RMA or motherboard replacement may be more appropriate than repeatedly power-cycling the PSU.
Make sure the external Wi-Fi antenna is connected correctly, since the onboard wireless hardware uses that antenna for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. However, an antenna issue would normally cause weak or unstable connections, not make the adapter vanish from Device Manager, so it probably does not explain Code 45 by itself.
That makes sense. I was hoping there was a permanent software fix, but replacing the wireless hardware may be the practical option if the adapter keeps locking up.