BadSmurf

Thank you hazelnut for the help with the clarification. (apologies for the cantankerous post style, haven't posted in forums for a while) CCleaners automatic update feature (specifically regarding Bluetooth drivers) was the method I used to install the 'updated' bluetooth driver'. There was no warning that this function could lead to such a fail in the system. To clarify, I was referring to the Driver Updater (which I inferred was pretty automatic in itself). Also, the content is how to fix the problem, and I cite where I found the solution(s) so that other people could check my work in case it didn't work for them, as the solutions presented within the CCleaner forums will not work.

Here is the problem: The issue with the update is that it alters the code in a way that causes the system to fail to recognize the Bluetooth chip. Instead, the system sees an unknown device that is not communicating properly, resulting in a message indicating an error code 43. This error is typically encountered when Device Manager disables a hardware device due to an unspecified problem that it has reported to Windows. Why none of the solutions work: In a nutshell, your computer thinks you have no more Bluetooth chip so changing drivers, turning services or anything short of a complete reinstall works. Here is the solution: A simplified version is as follows (I found that it was not necessary to drain the laptop battery completely): 1) Perform a hard shut-down by holding the shift key is held down whilst selecting Windows Shut Down 2) Ensure your computer is unplugged 3) Hold down the power key for 93 seconds. That's 90, which is the maximum recommended elsewhere plus 3 to make sure it is over 90! 4) Press the power key briefly to start your computer 5) Allow it to start fully. If you open Device Manager (e.g. right click Windows Key -> Device Manager or from the Control Panel), you should now see that the Bluetooth section has reappeared and there are no Unknown USB devices in the USB section. This means that your Bluetooth is now working again. This apparently works by disconnecting the power (even residual power) from relevant chips which mean that they re-establish communications from scratch when you restart. Sources: "According to a thread on the Microsoft Community forum (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/bluetooth-not-working-usb-device-descriptor/2af8f09f-ce33-47f8-a42a-1b55e8cf60fd), some users have reported issues with their Bluetooth not working and receiving an error message regarding a USB device descriptor. The thread includes several suggestions for resolving the issue, including updating drivers and resetting the Bluetooth adapter." "According to a thread on the Microsoft Community forum (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/bluetooth-disappered-from-device-manager-with/fd246f79-c31c-40a2-a0a1-5660e0e07cfc), some users have reported that the Bluetooth device has disappeared from their Device Manager after a Windows update. The thread includes several suggestions for resolving the issue, including running the hardware troubleshooter and reinstalling the Bluetooth driver."