Bluetooth Support Service (bthserv) Defaults in Windows 11

The Bluetooth service supports discovery and association of remote Bluetooth devices. Stopping or disabling this service may cause already installed Bluetooth devices to fail to operate properly and prevent new devices from being discovered or associated.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Bluetooth Support Service
Service name:bthserv
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService -p
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\bthserv.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bthserv
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege

Default Behavior

Bluetooth Support Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Bluetooth Support Service is started, it logs on as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Bluetooth Support Service fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the bthserv service startup failure.

Dependencies

If Bluetooth Support Service doesn't work properly, the Bluetooth User Support Service cannot start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Bluetooth Support Service

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config bthserv start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The bthserv service is using the bthserv.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.