If you are using a new laptop or desktop, chances are that they are Bluetooth enabled, but in case you are using the older versions of computer chances are that you need a Bluetooth upgrade. This can be challenging and time consuming. To avoid this, make sure the computer or laptop you are purchasing is Bluetooth enabled. Check for the Bluetooth symbol on the packaging. If there is a Bluetooth symbol, then the computer is Bluetooth enabled. Don’t worry if the computer is not Bluetooth enabled. There are numerous methods to make it support Bluetooth. Read on to learn more about Bluetooth, Bluetooth drivers and how to install them.
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What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a technology that enables short range exchange of data between connected devices. There is a wide range of Bluetooth enabled devices. They include: headsets, smartphones, desktop PCs, PDAs, notebook computers, printers, keyboards, and cameras.
If a device is Bluetooth enabled, it can communicate with other devices that are Bluetooth enabled without the need for wires as long as they are within the Bluetooth range. They don’t need to be in direct line of site. Bluetooth range depends on the class of your Bluetooth device. There are three Bluetooth classes. Class 1 has the longest range (100 meters) and class 3 the shortest.
Why Do You Need Bluetooth?
Your computer may function well without Bluetooth support. However, there are accessories and peripherals that work best with Bluetooth. Some must have Bluetooth support to function. But why do you need Bluetooth? You need Bluetooth for the following reasons:
- To share files wirelessly between mobile devices and computers
- To transfer files wirelessly between computers
- To tether a computer to a smartphone
- To connect peripherals such as printers, game controllers headsets and computer keyboard wirelessly.
- For hands-free driving in cars
One of the greatest benefit s of the latest Bluetooth versions is its low power consumption. These guarantee you an extended battery life making it ideal for battery powered devices such as tablets, smartphones, and personal digital assistants.
So, What is a Bluetooth Driver?
A Bluetooth driver is a software program that enables your operating system to communicate with other Bluetooth devices and vice versa. Bluetooth drivers allow the devices to communicate with cables, wires or direct action from the user. Bluetooth come pre-installed in most devices. However, in some cases you have to install the driver yourself.
Bluetooth technology is made up hardware and software components. Hardware components include chipset and antenna. The hardware components differ with the manufacturer.
Bluetooth drivers are part of the software components. Bluetooth drivers are what make the OS to interact with the Bluetooth device. It is the Bluetooth drivers that allow you to connect wirelessly a computer and keyboard, or mouse and to transfer files between the computer and your mouse, listen to your favorite music from the comfort of your wireless headsets and so on.
Before looking at how to update Bluetooth drivers, lets first look at Bluetooth adapters.
What are Bluetooth adapters?
Bluetooth requires both hardware and software to function. Bluetooth hardware supplies the hardware. A Bluetooth adapter is a USB based device that transmits and receives Bluetooth signals. It is also called Bluetooth dongle. They are tiny and barely protrude more than half an inch from the USB port. If your computer is not Bluetooth enabled, you can easily add it by installing a Bluetooth dongle.
Determining if Your PC has Bluetooth Capability
To know if your computer has Bluetooth capability, check the Device Manager for Bluetooth Radio. Follow the following steps.
Step 1: Open the control panel.
Step 2: Choose Hardware and Sound and then select Device Manager. If you’re using Windows Vista, click the continue button or type the administrators password.
In the list, look for Bluetooth Radios. If you find it, your computer has Bluetooth capability
How to Install a Bluetooth Adapter Replacement on Windows 10
In this section we shall look at how to replace a Bluetooth adapter and setting it up properly on Windows 10. Before adding a second Bluetooth adapter, make sure that you first disable the old adapter.
How to Disable an Old Bluetooth Adapter
Follow the following steps to disable a defective Bluetooth adapter.
- Open start
- Search for Device manager
- Double click on Bluetooth
- Right click the adapter and select the Disable device option
- Click Yes
After completing these steps, you can add a new Bluetooth adapter.
Installing a new Bluetooth adapter
Here is how to properly install a new Bluetooth adapter
- Connect the new Bluetooth adapter
- Allow Windows 10 to automatically detect and install the driver
After completing these steps, verify that the new short range wireless radio is configured correctly. After setting it up, you can use the Bluetooth icon in the notification area to manage your connections.
Checking New Device
You need to check if the adapter was correctly installed. To know if the adapter was recognized properly, follow the following steps.
- Open Setting
- Click on Devices
- Click on Bluetooth and other devices
If you see a Bluetooth toggle switch, then the device was correctly installed. However, if you only see and Add Bluetooth button, then there was a problem during installation
Installing a Driver Manually
In some cases, you may be ideal to manually install the adapter manually. Follow the following steps.
- Step 1: Open Start
- Step 2: Search for Device Manager
- Step 3: Double click Other devices
- Step 4: Right click on the adapter with a yellow mark and select the update driver option
- Step 5: Click the search automatically option
- Step 6: If the driver couldn’t be installed, search for updated drivers on Windows update button
- Step 7: In the setting app, click Check for updates
- Step 8: Restart the computer
After completing these steps, you can connect now connect Bluetooth devices to your computer. If the proper driver couldn’t be installed, you may be forced to install Bluetooth controllers from your Bluetooth manufacturer’s website.
Common Bluetooth Device Drivers Problems
Problems with your Bluetooth driver could make the operating system to fail to identify the connected Bluetooth device. An error message on your screen will pop up if there is a problem with your device drivers. Here are some of the common Bluetooth Driver errors and what they mean.
#Error 1: “Bluetooth device is not found. Please verify that your Bluetooth device is properly connected and turned on”. This is a common pairing error in Windows XP. This is a common error in Windows XP. This is because Windows XP installs its own Bluetooth device driver. Follow the following steps to try to fix the error.
- Step 1: Go to Device Manager
- Step 2: Click on Bluetooth and select properties of the first entry.
- Step 3: In properties select the Power Management tab and uncheck the box to turn off the device and save power.
#Error 2: “This device is not configured correctly (Code1). This error means that the required driver is not installed in your computer.
#Error 3 : This device cannot start (Code 10) This error means that your Bluetooth driver is outdated.
How to Fix Bluetooth Device Driver Problems
Windows computers have an in-built device manager which helps to identify and troubleshoot any driver related errors. The Device manager is located in the control panel.
If Bluetooth is not working on your device, updating your Bluetooth drivers might fix the problem. It is recommended to update the drivers via the manufacturer’s website to help improve the system performance. Let’s see how to update Bluetooth drivers in Windows 7 and Vista.
- Step 1: Open Control panel
- Step 2: Double click on Device Manger
- Step 3: Find and locate the Bluetooth driver you want to update
- Step 4: Click the driver tab
- Step 5: Click search automatically for updated driver software
- Step 6: Windows will automatically search and the latest driver via the internet. Follow the onscreen instructions to install it.
Fixing the Bluetooth Error Using a Driver Update Tool
Using Device Manager to fix the problem has the following limitations.
- The process can be time consuming.
- The process has a low success rate in resolving driver errors efficiently.
An effective method of fixing the errors is by using an efficient driver management software.
Summary
When using Bluetooth on your PC, remember:
- The Bluetooth Icon in the notification area is the means by which you’ll control your connections and settings
- In Windows 7, you connect to Bluetooth through the Bluetooth hardware listed in the Device and Printers
- In Windows vista, you access Bluetooth via the control panel.
- A Bluetooth connection isn’t as robust as a Wi-Fi connection. Bluetooth is low powered. You can’t move a Bluetooth gizmo more than one feet without losing a signal.
This brings us to the end of our article on how to update Bluetooth drivers. I hope you can now fix any Bluetooth drivers related problem on your on. Keep it here for related content.
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