Windows 11 normally installs a Bluetooth driver through Windows Update, but it may need help when Bluetooth is missing, appears as an unknown device, or stops working after an update. The safest order is to identify the adapter, try Windows Update, then install the driver supplied for your exact laptop, motherboard, or USB dongle.
These instructions apply to 64-bit Windows 11 systems, including Windows 11 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi may use the same physical wireless card but normally have separate driver components.
Before installing a Bluetooth driver
Confirm that your PC has Bluetooth hardware
Not every desktop includes Bluetooth. The adapter may be built into the motherboard, included with a PCIe Wi-Fi card, or supplied by a USB Bluetooth dongle. A laptop can also have Bluetooth disabled in firmware or by a physical wireless switch.
Check the exact computer or motherboard specifications before downloading anything. If Windows 11 has no Bluetooth switch, Microsoft says the computer may not have a Bluetooth adapter, or its driver may be missing.
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Identify the adapter
For a laptop or prebuilt PC, the manufacturer and exact model are usually enough to find the correct driver. For a separately installed adapter, use its hardware ID:
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth. If that category is missing, check Other devices.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter or an unknown device and select Properties.
- Open the Details tab.
- Set Property to Hardware Ids.
- Record the first value, such as a USBVID and PID or a PCIVEN and DEV value.
The first hardware ID is normally the most specific match. Use it to distinguish between Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm, MediaTek, Broadcom, and other adapters when the computer manufacturer lists more than one driver.
Method 1: Install the driver through Windows Update
Windows Update can install a recommended Bluetooth driver automatically. Optional driver updates, however, require a separate check.
Install normal updates
- Open Start > Settings, or press Windows key + I.
- Select Windows Update in the left pane.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install available updates.
- Restart the computer if Windows requests it.
Check optional driver updates
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Advanced options.
- Under Additional options, select Optional updates.
- Expand Driver updates.
- Select a Bluetooth, wireless, Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm, or similarly identified driver.
- Select Download & install.
- Restart Windows.
The Optional updates page does not always appear. Its absence does not mean that the manufacturer’s website has no newer driver.
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Use this method when Windows detects the adapter.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the physical Bluetooth radio. It usually contains a manufacturer name such as Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Realtek Bluetooth Adapter, or Qualcomm Bluetooth.
- Select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers.
- Install the result and restart the PC.
Do not normally choose entries such as Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator or Bluetooth Device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI) as the main radio. Those are Windows components associated with Bluetooth operation, not usually the adapter’s primary driver.
If Windows says, “The best drivers for your device are already installed,” it only means that Windows did not find a higher-ranked compatible driver through that search. It does not prove that the computer manufacturer’s website has no newer package.
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- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth adapter is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Win 7, Linux and MacOS System are NOT supported.
- Mini Size: An extremely compact Bluetooth stick that you can leave on your laptop or PC without removing it.The compact size does not interfere with other USB ports. Convenient to carry, no space occupation.
- What Can I do if the Bluetooth adapter can not work?: Ensure there are no other Bluetooth devices installed on the computer. If there are, disable all existing Bluetooth devices in "Device Manager", then insert the adapter and try again. (For detailed information please read the user manual)
Method 3: Install the manufacturer’s driver package
The manufacturer’s support page is usually the best source for a laptop, prebuilt desktop, motherboard, PCIe card, or USB dongle. Avoid third-party driver download sites and driver-update utilities.
- Open the manufacturer’s support page.
- Search using the exact PC, motherboard, or adapter model.
- Choose Windows 11 64-bit if the operating-system list is provided.
- Download the Bluetooth driver. On a combined wireless card, download the matching Wi-Fi and chipset packages as well if the manufacturer recommends them.
- Open the downloaded
.exefile. - Approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Complete the installation wizard.
- Restart Windows, even if the installer does not require it.
A driver for a similarly named laptop or motherboard may be wrong. The same product family can ship with different wireless modules, so match the exact model and hardware ID.
Method 4: Install an INF driver manually
Some manufacturers provide a ZIP archive instead of an executable installer. The useful package contains an .inf file and normally one or more .sys files.
- Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All.
- Choose a short, permanent folder such as
C:DriversBluetooth. - Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth, or open Other devices if the adapter is listed as unknown.
- Right-click the adapter and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Browse and choose the extracted folder.
- Leave Include subfolders enabled if the driver files are organized into subfolders.
- Select Next.
- Restart the PC after the installation completes.
Copying a .sys file into C:WindowsSystem32drivers is not a valid installation method. The INF file tells Windows which hardware the package supports and how to register its files and services.
Install an INF package with PnPUtil
PnPUtil is included with Windows 11 and can add an INF package to the Driver Store. Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) before running these commands.
Install one INF file
pnputil /add-driver "C:DriversBluetoothbluetooth.inf" /installInstall INF files in all subfolders
pnputil /add-driver "C:DriversBluetooth*.inf" /subdirs /installList installed third-party driver packages
pnputil /enum-driversReplace the example path with the real location of the extracted files. PnPUtil will not force a lower-ranked driver onto a device. Therefore, a command can complete successfully without making Windows switch away from a better-ranked compatible driver.
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- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Not compatible with all other operation systems e.g. Mac, Linux, Chrome, Unix, Playstation(PS), Windows 7 and below; Disable any built-in Bluetooth of the device before use this product, refer to the user manual for detail
Verify the installation
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the physical Bluetooth adapter and select Properties.
- On the General tab, read Device status.
- Open the Driver tab to check the provider, date, version, and signer.
A yellow warning icon or an error message means the installation is not complete, even if the driver package appeared to install.
Also open Settings > Bluetooth & devices. The Bluetooth switch should be visible and usable. Test the result by pairing an actual accessory rather than relying only on the driver version number.
Bluetooth is missing from Device Manager
Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm that the computer or dongle actually includes Bluetooth.
- Turn off Airplane mode.
- Turn on the laptop’s physical wireless switch or keyboard wireless control.
- In Device Manager, select View > Show hidden devices.
- Look under Other devices for an unknown device with a warning icon.
- Install the manufacturer’s chipset, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth packages.
- Select Action > Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager.
- Check BIOS or UEFI settings for a disabled wireless device.
- For a USB dongle, disconnect it, restart Windows, and test another USB port.
- Perform a full shutdown, wait several seconds, and power the PC on again.
If the adapter does not appear anywhere in Device Manager, Windows may not be detecting it. Possible causes include a disabled device, disconnected hardware, a failed adapter, an incompatible dongle, or a firmware problem. Installing a driver cannot repair hardware that the system cannot enumerate.
Reinstall the Bluetooth adapter
Reinstalling is useful when the adapter appears in Device Manager but Bluetooth is missing from Settings or the driver is corrupted.
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- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the physical adapter and select Uninstall device.
- Confirm with Uninstall.
- Shut down using Start > Power > Shut down.
- Wait a few seconds, then turn the computer on.
- Allow Windows to detect and reinstall the adapter.
- If it does not return, open Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
If Windows offers Attempt to remove the driver for this device or Delete the driver software, leave that option cleared during the first reinstall attempt. Removing the device while retaining the package is safer when you do not yet have a known-good replacement.
Roll back a Bluetooth driver
If Bluetooth stopped working immediately after an update, the previous package may be more reliable.
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- Plug & Play: USB wireless Bluetooth is not limited by network and location, no need to install drivers, just plug the USB wireless adapter into your computer, you can use it directly. You can use the Bluetooth function at any time. Greatly improve your work efficiency and save your time.
- Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: The USB Bluetooth 5.4 dongle uses Class 1 radio technology, equipped with extra long antenna, and the transmission range in the open area can reach 500ft/150m, Bluetooth connections are no longer affected by distance. Note: The actual transmission range will be affected by physical obstructions and wireless interference.
- Fast Transmission Rate: This upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 adapter features EDR technology and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration up to 3Mbps, which greatly improves transmission rates and reduces the loss of transmission efficiency due to interference in the 2.4GHz band. Enables fast, no delay wireless data connections between your computer and Bluetooth devices.
- System Support: The upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 dongle has a wide range of applications. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time using Bluetooth wireless. Such as Bluetooth speakers,keyboards,headsets,mice, and Bluetooth printers,etc. Only supports Windows 11/10/8.1, Not compatible with Mac OS, Linux,car stereo systems,XBOX,ps4 or TVs.
- Open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the physical adapter and select Properties.
- Open the Driver tab.
- Select Roll Back Driver.
- Choose a reason and confirm.
- Restart Windows.
The button is unavailable if Windows has no previous driver to restore. In that case, download the earlier driver version from the PC manufacturer rather than forcing an unrelated package.
Fix common Device Manager errors
| Error | Meaning | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Code 28 | The driver is not installed. | Install the exact manufacturer driver or an INF package that contains the adapter’s hardware ID. |
| Code 10 | The device cannot start. | Verify the hardware ID, install the OEM chipset and Bluetooth drivers, roll back a recent update, and check BIOS or UEFI updates. |
| Code 43 | Windows has stopped the device after reporting a problem. | Power down completely, reinstall the driver, test another USB port if applicable, and check for hardware failure. |
| Code 45 | Windows considers the device disconnected. | Reconnect the dongle or internal hardware, scan for hardware changes, and check physical connections. |
A Code 10 or Code 43 error is not always a driver-version problem. Firmware, power management, a dependent chipset driver, or a defective adapter can produce the same symptom.
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Disable adapter power saving
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth and open the adapter’s Properties.
- Select the Power Management tab.
- Clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Select OK and restart Windows.
This tab is not available for every adapter or driver. If it is absent, use the manufacturer’s power-management utility and Windows power settings instead.
Restart the Bluetooth service
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
services.mscand select OK. - Find Bluetooth Support Service.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
- If it is stopped, open Properties, start the service, and set an appropriate enabled startup type.
Pair a device after installing the driver
Installing a Bluetooth driver does not pair headphones, keyboards, mice, or phones automatically.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Select Add device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Put the accessory into pairing mode and keep it close to the PC.
- Select the accessory when it appears.
- Follow any PIN or pairing instructions.
If the accessory appears but will not connect, select its three-dot menu in Bluetooth & devices, choose Remove device, and pair it again. Make sure it is charged and not already connected to another computer or phone.
Bottom-line troubleshooting order
- Confirm that the PC contains Bluetooth hardware.
- Check Windows Update and Optional updates.
- Identify the adapter in Device Manager and record its hardware ID.
- Install the driver from the exact PC, motherboard, or adapter manufacturer.
- Restart and verify Device status in Device Manager.
- Reinstall or roll back the adapter if the issue began after an update.
- Investigate BIOS, power management, USB connections, and hardware failure if the adapter still does not start.
FAQ
How do I know whether Windows 11 needs a Bluetooth driver?
Open Settings with Windows key + I and select Bluetooth & devices. If the Bluetooth switch is missing, check Device Manager for an adapter under Bluetooth or an unknown device under Other devices. A missing switch can mean missing hardware as well as a missing driver.
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Can I install a Windows 10 Bluetooth driver on Windows 11?
Use a Windows 11 package whenever the manufacturer provides one. If none exists, use only a package that the manufacturer explicitly lists as compatible with your exact hardware and Windows 11. A similarly named chipset is not enough.
Why does Device Manager say the best driver is already installed?
Windows did not find a higher-ranked compatible package through that search. It does not prove that the driver is the newest version available from the computer or adapter manufacturer.
Why is Bluetooth not listed in Device Manager?
The PC may not contain Bluetooth, the adapter may be disabled by Airplane mode, a hardware switch, or BIOS/UEFI, or Windows may not be detecting a connected dongle. Check Other devices, show hidden devices, scan for hardware changes, and verify the hardware specifications.
Can Windows Update install Bluetooth drivers automatically?
It can install recommended drivers automatically, but optional driver updates must be selected manually under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates when they are offered.
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Should I uninstall the Bluetooth driver before installing a new one?
Usually no. Install the correct manufacturer package first. Uninstall the adapter only when the existing installation is corrupted, Bluetooth is missing despite detection, or the manufacturer’s instructions specifically require removal.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 PCs, start with Settings > Windows Update, then use the exact driver from the computer or adapter manufacturer if Windows cannot find one. Verify the adapter’s hardware ID and Device status before trying generic packages. If Bluetooth is absent from Device Manager altogether, investigate detection, firmware, connections, and hardware—not just drivers.
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