Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disappeared after a system crash—how can I restore them?
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MellowQuasar47
My PC suffered a serious crash, and after restarting, the Bluetooth toggle, Wi-Fi option, and related wireless settings were completely gone. Ethernet still works, so I can connect to the internet with a cable. What should I check to get the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth working again?
Answers
Start with Device Manager and look for missing or errored network devices. Then visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support page, download the correct Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and chipset drivers, and reinstall them. Since Ethernet works, you can download everything directly; otherwise, transfer the installers with a USB drive.
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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are often provided by the same internal card, so if both vanished at once, Windows may no longer be detecting that hardware. Check whether the card appears in Device Manager at all. If it is missing even after reinstalling the drivers, the card may need to be reseated or replaced, and a USB Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter is a practical fallback.
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If driver installation does not help, identify the exact motherboard model and try clearing the CMOS, following the board’s manual. This can sometimes recover an internal WLAN/Bluetooth module that stopped initializing after a crash. Make sure the PC is fully powered off and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions before doing it.
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MellowQuasar47: Ethernet is currently the only connection that still works, so I can use that to download the motherboard and wireless drivers.