Device Manager Un-Hiding Hidden Devices

Hello; Pictures are enclosed and marked accordingly on the bottom

Working with Windows 10 Pro Version 1703 OS Build 15063.483 64 Bit x64-Based Processor

I have a unique pain in the butt.I built this PC in 2011, and have had no problems with it until April.

2 Reinstalls of Windows later I have come across a problem.

My motherboard has Bluetooth built in and before my April incident it always showed in the "Device Manager", it also showed in the "Action Center" on desktop.

I always shut it off or just shut off the display of it, I had no use for it.

Now 3 weeks ago I finally came into the 21st century when I got a cell phone.

The cell phone has Bluetooth and playing around with it I got it working on the phone, when I went to Settings in Windows to "display" the Bluetooth in the "Action Center" I can not find the switch for it.

The only thing that looks like it is a "Connect Button" (see picture)

When I open "Device Manager" the "Bluetooth" icon was not visible.


Now I looked at my "Device Manager" during the week of March 13 - 18 a couple of times and the "Bluetooth" was there.

When I click on the "View Button" and scroll to "Show Hidden Items" the "Bluetooth" comes to view and has the drivers installed.

When I check the "Properties" General Tab I get this;

Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer.

(Code 45)To fix this problem, reconnect this hardware device to the computer.

I have never had to connect it before, it was installed by ASUS as part of the board and the software has always installed.

I do not understand why it is hidden?

I do not understand how to connect something that is already connected?

Help please somebody?

Fix through the registry?

More info needed please ask.

When you connect a plug and play device, Windows Plug and Play manager detects it, finds and installs the driver. Device Manager lists the device with a solid icon.

The driver is only removed when you uninstall the device, not simply by disconnecting the device. When the device is disconnected, its driver is still installed. By default, Device Manager only displays connected devices. When you show hidden devices, note the Bluetooth icon you see is semi-transparent (not opaque). That indicates a "non-present" device. Sometimes also called a "ghost" device. The driver is still installed but the device is not currently detected (i.e. not connected).

Device can be disconnected when

• Device unplugged (e.g. removing a USB device)
• Turning a device OFF
• Disabling the device in BIOS (then windows won't detect it) or
• Device failure

So

• Check BIOS as suggested
• Check board connections
• Can b/t be turned off by a switch? or keyboard combination?

Also possible the b/t h/w failed

CountMike & ComputerGeek thank you both for your responses.

I did some digging around today and I found a Diagnostic Software for my motherboard.

It's been a long day, and my mind is getting foggy, so I will run the Diagnostics tomorrow and post results.