Bluetooth problems windows 11

[ebenknot]

Hi everyone,

I’m having intermittent Bluetooth problems on my HP OMEN 16. After an unexpected restart during a driver change, the Bluetooth adapter disappeared from Device Manager.

- **Exact model / product number:** [add model or product number]
- **Windows version:** Windows 11 26H2, as shown in `winver`
- **Bluetooth adapter:** Realtek Wireless Bluetooth Adapter (`USB\VID_0BDA&PID_2852`)
- **Driver version before the restart:** `1.10.1061.3021`, dated April 29, 2024

My Sony WH‑XB910N headphones sometimes disconnect and sometimes stay listed as connected but stop playing audio. During one of those silent periods, the Windows test tone didn’t play through the headphones, while the laptop speakers worked. I’ve also had Bluetooth disconnects with an Xbox controller. The Sony headphones work normally with my phone.

I went almost two weeks without using Bluetooth on the laptop. When I connected the Sony headphones again, the audio cut out within about a minute.

I ran HP’s `sp136892.exe` installer for Realtek Bluetooth driver `1.9.1038.3008`, but Device Manager still showed the 2024 driver afterward. When I tried selecting a driver manually in Device Manager, the laptop shut off abruptly and restarted. After that, the Bluetooth category was missing from Device Manager, while Wi‑Fi still worked.

Reliability Monitor reports an unexpected shutdown. Earlier, around one of the audio cuts, Event Viewer logged **Kernel-PnP event 225**, saying that `audiodg.exe` blocked removal of the Realtek device.

What’s the safest way to get Windows to detect the Bluetooth adapter again? Is there a recommended HP driver or diagnostic for this exact model and Windows version? I’d like to check whether this is a driver issue or a problem with the wireless card before attempting a clean installation of Windows.

Thanks!