Bluetooth adapter update driver: how to do it
Update Bluetooth by identifying the adapter model, then install the newest driver from the PC maker or adapter maker to avoid pairing errors.
Update the Bluetooth driver by first checking whether Windows sees an Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, MediaTek, or USB dongle adapter, then install the newest driver from the PC maker or adapter maker; use Windows Update only if that source is missing. An incorrect package can leave Bluetooth unavailable, interfere with pairing, or sometimes cause a Code 10 or Code 43 in Device Manager.
What you'll need before you update
- A PC running a supported version of Windows.
- Device Manager open, or the steps to open it quickly.
- The PC model number or the USB adapter model number.
- An internet connection for Windows Update or a driver download.
- The adapter maker’s documentation if you are using a USB Bluetooth dongle.
📊 Bluetooth technology operates in the 2.402 GHz to 2.48 GHz ISM band. Source: Bluetooth.
How do you tell which Bluetooth adapter you have?
Open Device Manager and check the Bluetooth category first. If you see Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, or MediaTek, you likely have a built-in adapter. If you see a USB Bluetooth device name, or the adapter appears only when the dongle is plugged in, treat it as a USB adapter and use the dongle maker’s package if available.
Check Device Manager for the adapter name
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Note the exact adapter name and any warning icon.
- If Bluetooth is missing, expand Network adapters and Universal Serial Bus controllers for a dongle name.
Use the PC or adapter documentation if the name is unclear
If the model label is not obvious, check the PC support page or the dongle packaging. A common mistake is treating a generic USB dongle like a laptop’s built-in chip; the update source is often different, and the wrong package may install without fixing the error.
Bluetooth adapter update decision table
This is the quickest way to choose the right source, avoid the wrong package, and decide what to do if the update breaks the adapter. For built-in adapters, Windows Update is the safest first stop. For USB dongles, the adapter maker’s package is usually the better match.
| Adapter type | Best update source | Device Manager signs | If installation fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Intel, Realtek, MediaTek, or Broadcom | Windows Update first, then the PC maker’s support package | Bluetooth category shows the adapter name, often with no warning icon | Rollback driver, then uninstall device and scan for hardware changes |
| USB Bluetooth dongle | Adapter maker’s driver package first if one exists | Device appears when the dongle is plugged into a USB port | Unplug the dongle, remove the device, then reinstall the vendor package |
| Bluetooth missing from Device Manager | Confirm hardware, then install the correct package or plug in a USB Bluetooth adapter | No Bluetooth category, or an unknown device with a yellow warning icon | Rescan hardware after reinstalling the right driver |
| Driver installs but an error remains | Rollback to the previous driver, then try the maker package that matches the exact model | Adapter name shows, but Code 10 or Code 43 remains | Rollback, uninstall device, rescan, reinstall |
How do you update a Bluetooth driver on Windows 11?
On Windows 11, start in Settings > Bluetooth & devices and confirm Bluetooth is on. Then use Device Manager to update the adapter, and check Windows Update for optional driver delivery. If the adapter is built in, the driver often comes through Windows Update; if it is a dongle, the maker’s package may be better.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Use the Quick Settings Bluetooth tile to confirm the tile shows an on state such as Connected or Not connected.
- Open Device Manager > Bluetooth.
- Right-click the adapter name and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers, then open Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates to check for hardware drivers.
Microsoft places Bluetooth controls under Bluetooth & devices in Windows 11, and that is also where you can turn Bluetooth off and on to reset it when connections behave badly. Bluetooth generally needs to be on before devices can pair.
How do you update a Bluetooth driver on Windows 10?
On Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices and make sure Bluetooth is on. Use the Action Center tile if it is available, then update the adapter from Device Manager or check Windows Update for recommended hardware drivers. Older Windows 10 systems may not receive every vendor feature through Windows Update.
- Open Settings > Devices.
- Use the Action Center Bluetooth tile, or the taskbar tile if present, to turn Bluetooth on.
- Open Device Manager > Bluetooth.
- Right-click the adapter and choose Update driver.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for recommended hardware drivers.
Windows 10 still uses the legacy path in Settings > Devices. If the Bluetooth switch is missing there, Microsoft notes that the device may lack Bluetooth hardware or the adapter drivers may not be installed.
What if Bluetooth is missing from Settings or Device Manager?
If Bluetooth is missing, the adapter may not be present, the drivers may not be installed, or the device may not support the Windows version you are running. Start with a toggle or restart if the Bluetooth option exists, then confirm hardware in Device Manager before downloading anything. A USB Bluetooth adapter can add Bluetooth to a PC that has none built in.
Restart and reset Bluetooth first
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
- Restart the PC if the switch stays missing.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices on Windows 11 or Settings > Devices on Windows 10 and recheck the switch.
Confirm whether the PC has built-in Bluetooth
- Open Device Manager.
- Look for Bluetooth or an unknown device with a warning icon.
- If nothing appears, check the PC model support page.
- If the PC lacks Bluetooth, plug in a USB Bluetooth adapter to add it through a USB port.
Suppose a 3-year-old desktop shows no Bluetooth toggle in Windows 11, but a small USB dongle is listed in Device Manager only after it is inserted. That points to a USB adapter, not a built-in chip, so the dongle maker’s package is the right place to start.
Common mistakes and recovery steps
The most common failure is installing the wrong chipset family package. Another is stopping after the install succeeds even though Device Manager still shows an error. If the adapter is still not working, a common recovery order is to roll back, uninstall the device, rescan, and then reinstall the correct package.
- Open Device Manager > Bluetooth and confirm the exact adapter name.
- Right-click the adapter, choose Properties, then open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver if available.
- If rollback is unavailable or fails, choose Uninstall device.
- In Device Manager, click Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Install the correct PC-maker or adapter-maker package again.
Device Manager > Bluetooth > (adapter) > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver
Device Manager > Bluetooth > (adapter) > Uninstall device
Device Manager > Action > Scan for hardware changes
Bluetooth version matters too. Features, range, and device compatibility vary by version, and Bluetooth devices typically work at less than 10 m, with Bluetooth 5.0 cited at 40–400 m. If a headset or keyboard still refuses to pair after the driver update, the limit may be version, codec, or device support rather than the driver itself. (en.wikipedia.org)
Prevention: use the PC maker’s support page or the dongle maker’s package when you know the exact model. That lowers the chance of a mismatch after a future Windows update.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Bluetooth adapter driver is missing?
Open Device Manager. If Bluetooth is missing, or an Unknown device appears with a warning icon, the driver may not be installed. Microsoft also notes that a missing Bluetooth setting can mean the device has no adapter at all.
Should I use Windows Update or the manufacturer driver for Bluetooth?
Start with Windows Update for built-in adapters because it can deliver recommended hardware drivers automatically. Use the PC maker or adapter maker when you need vendor-specific features, a known fix, or a USB dongle package. They are not interchangeable in every case.
How do I reset Bluetooth before updating the driver?
Use Settings > Bluetooth & devices on Windows 11 or Settings > Devices on Windows 10, then turn Bluetooth off and back on. If the control disappears, restart the PC and check Device Manager before trying another install.
How can I tell whether my PC has a built-in Bluetooth adapter or USB dongle?
Look in Device Manager > Bluetooth for Intel, Realtek, or MediaTek names. If the device appears only when a USB accessory is plugged in, it is a dongle. Check the PC documentation if the model name is not listed clearly.
How to update wifi adapter drivers
Use the same basic path: open Device Manager, identify the adapter name, then choose Update driver or install the maker’s package. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth packages separate unless the PC maker says they are bundled for that exact model.