[Guide] Download Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10

June 27, 2023 / James Masterson

Drivers are critical components of your system and allow communication between your computer and an external device. Naturally, Microsoft will not be able to support all existing devices. Most of the time, you’ll have to get and download and install drivers manually to get a device to work.

Automatically Install Bluetooth Drivers

Recommended: To easily install drivers automatically, use the tool below.

Your OS:

Download Now

DriverFix

Wireless technology is growing increasingly popular among the masses with each passing day. Numerous Windows users want to get rid of their wired peripherals in favor of more comfortable wireless options. As Bluetooth gadgets, such as the Apple AirPods, get sold out quicker than ever, more users are having trouble using Bluetooth technology on Windows 10.

Typical issues with Bluetooth drivers on Windows 10 can be solved by reading this tutorial, including Bluetooth not working or the inability to identify devices. Follow below to learn how to download Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10.

What Are Drivers?

A driver, sometimes known as a device driver, is a collection of files that communicate with the operating system to instruct a hardware device on how to operate. A driver is a must for every piece of computer hardware, including your graphics card and other internal components and external devices like a printer.

In most cases, your PC’s operating system will automatically update the driver files, so you don’t have to manually check for updates. To keep your system up to date and working correctly, you can download updates and let them install themselves.

See Also: How to Update Intel Drivers in Windows 10

Why You Should Keep Your Drivers Updated

From new functional and security updates designed to prevent cybercriminals from compromising your files to technological enhancements for your device, driver updates can supply everything you need. Device manufacturers frequently find “bugs” or glitches or faults and then release a driver package to fix them.

As new advancements are achieved and unknown threats and errors are found regularly, driver updates enable manufacturers to continue supporting consumers who use their devices. You usually don’t need to buy new parts if your device is compatible with driver updates.

Failure to keep drivers up to date can result in serious issues. Not getting new updates and speed enhancements may make your device vulnerable to hackers or malware or cease functioning entirely. It may render your computer unusable if it’s a vital component, such as the graphics card or the motherboard.

Causes of Missing or Corrupt Bluetooth Drivers

If you want to connect a Bluetooth device such as wireless Bluetooth microphones or wireless Bluetooth headphones on your Windows 10 computer, or if you’re going to transfer files from your phone to Windows 10 through Bluetooth, you’ll need to install Bluetooth drivers for Windows 10. However, the issue is that you can no longer find Bluetooth in the Settings box.

Here are possible causes of getting a missing or corrupt Bluetooth driver:

Outdated Driver
Faulty Drivers
Missing System Files
Outdated Windows Operating System
Possible Virus Infection
Defective Bluetooth Device

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Download Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10

There are two ways to download and install Bluetooth drivers for your Windows computer. The first step is automatically downloading and installing Bluetooth driver updates through Windows or a third-party software program such as Fortect.

The second one is to do it manually. The latter will require you to perform several steps before starting the process and guiding you with these steps. You can follow our easy-to-follow guide to update your Bluetooth driver finally.

Manually Downloading and Installing Bluetooth Drivers in Windows

Before downloading a random Bluetooth driver from the internet, you first need to know what system you are running on. You need to know what processor your device is using, who the manufacturer of your device is, and the type of architecture your device is running out of.

This applies to built-in Bluetooth devices only. For external Bluetooth devices, downloading and installing Bluetooth drivers are more straightforward as these Bluetooth devices are mostly plug-and-play.

We will focus on the steps you need to perform if you have a built-in Bluetooth adapter for this guide.

Update Bluetooth Drivers in the Device Manager

1. Press the “Windows” and “R” keys on your keyboard and type in “devmgmt.msc” in the run command line, and press “enter” to open the Device Manager window.

2. In the list of devices, double-click on “Bluetooth” to expand the selection, right-click on your Bluetooth device adapter, and click “Update Drivers.”

3. Select “Search Automatically for Drivers” and follow the on-screen instructions to install a new Bluetooth driver completely.

4. If you already have your Bluetooth device’s latest Windows Bluetooth driver, it should say, “The best drivers are already installed.”

the best drivers for your device are already installed

Alternate Method to Updating Your Bluetooth Driver in Device Manager

Follow the same steps mentioned above from steps 1 to 3, but instead of clicking “Search Automatically for Drivers,” click “Browse my Computer for Drivers.”

2. To cite an example, let’s say you have an Intel wireless Bluetooth adapter, then you will have to download the Intel wireless Bluetooth software.

Open your preferred internet browser and go to Intel’s official website to see the supported wireless adapters. If you see the correct drivers for your Intel wireless Bluetooth adapter, download the wireless adapter software package for your Bluetooth driver.

3. Download the appropriate package Bluetooth version for your wireless adapter. Once the download is complete, go back to your device manager, manually locate the Bluetooth driver package you just downloaded, and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Restart your computer after installing the latest version of your Bluetooth driver and enjoy the Bluetooth technology on your computer.

Automatically Download and Install Bluetooth Drivers

As we have mentioned above, there are two ways that you can update your driver software. You can download and install your Bluetooth driver automatically using the Windows update tool or a third-party program.

Download Now

If you want to save time or don’t want to experience the hassle of updating your drivers manually, follow these steps to install or update Bluetooth drivers automatically.

Run the Windows Update Tool

The Windows Update tool will install the drivers for your Bluetooth adapter and other devices. Some updates will also come with security, bug fixes, and other essential software updates.

Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard and press “R” to bring up the run line command type in “control update,” and press enter.

Click on “Check for Updates” in the Windows Update window. If no updates are available, you should get a message saying, “You’re Up to Date.”

If the Windows Update Tool finds a new update, let it install and wait for it to complete. You may be required to restart your computer for it to install.

Automatically Update Drivers Using Fortect

If you want an all-in-one application that automatically updates drivers and keeps your computer safe from threats, you should use Fortect.

Download and install Fortect.

Download Now

Once Fortect has been installed on your Windows PC, you will be directed to the homepage of Fortect. Click on “Start Scan” to let the Fortect driver software analyze what needs to be performed on your computer.

Once the scan is complete, click “Start Repair” to fix all the items. Fortect will download and install the latest version and fix your Bluetooth problems. Your Bluetooth speaker or any other Bluetooth device should work again.

Once Fortect has completed the repair and updates on the incompatible driver, restart your computer and see if the Bluetooth issues have been fixed.

Wrap Up

With the advancement of technology, it is undeniable that most people would prefer using wireless devices. With that advancement, Bluetooth technology has played a critical role in achieving wireless freedom.

However, despite today’s technological advances, it is still far from perfect. We hope you found our article helpful in getting your Bluetooth driver installed.

What are the steps to find the device manufacturer of my Bluetooth driver?

To find the manufacturer of your Bluetooth driver, you will need to take the following steps:
Firstly, open the Control Panel on your computer and click “Device Manager.”
Next, locate the Bluetooth driver you wish to identify the manufacturer of within the list of devices displayed.
Once you have found the driver, right-click on it and select “Properties.”
You should see the manufacturer listed.

How do I manually install my Bluetooth driver?

You will need to download the driver files from the manufacturer’s website to install your Bluetooth driver manually. Once you have downloaded the driver files, you will need to extract them to a location on your computer.

Once the driver files are extracted, you need to open the Device Manager. Type device manager in the Windows search bar. Once in the Device Manager, you will need to find the Bluetooth device listed under the “Other devices” section. Right-click on the Bluetooth device and select “Update Driver Software.

How do I turn on Bluetooth in Windows?

To turn on Bluetooth in Windows, you must go into the Settings menu. From there, you will need to select the Devices option. Then, under the “Bluetooth & other devices” heading, you will need to toggle the Bluetooth switch to the On position.

Will airplane mode fix my Bluetooth issues?

If you’re having trouble connecting your device to a Bluetooth speaker or headset, airplane mode may be the solution. When you enable airplane mode, your device will disable its wireless signals, including Bluetooth. Once you’ve turned on airplane mode, try reconnecting your Bluetooth device. If it works, you can leave airplane mode on or turn it off and continue using Bluetooth.

How can I uninstall device drivers for Bluetooth?

First, you need to open the Device Manager. You can search the Start menu for “Device Manager.” Once you’ve opened the Device Manager, find the “Bluetooth” heading and expand it. This will show you a list of all the Bluetooth devices installed on your computer. To uninstall a device driver, right-click on it and select uninstall the device.

How do I run the Bluetooth troubleshooter?

To run the Bluetooth troubleshooter, you must first open the command prompt by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard. Then, type in “cmd” and press Enter. In the command prompt window, type in “Bluetooth” and press Enter. This will open the Bluetooth troubleshooter. Follow the prompts to troubleshoot your Bluetooth issue.

Do all Bluetooth accessories have a physical Bluetooth switch?

No, not all Bluetooth accessories have a physical Bluetooth switch. Some devices may have a physical switch that toggles the power on and off, while others may have a software-based switch that controls the Bluetooth connection. Each type of switch has pros and cons, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Does the device manufacturer keep track of hardware ids?

The device manufacturer’s website typically keeps track of hardware IDs to ensure quality control and warranty claims. By keeping track of hardware IDs, manufacturers can quickly identify which devices are affected by a particular issue and take corrective action. In some cases, manufacturers may also use hardware IDs to track customer satisfaction levels or to target product recalls.

If I turn Bluetooth off, will it remove device drivers?

If you turn off Bluetooth, it will not remove device drivers. Device drivers are software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware devices. If you turn off Bluetooth, your computer will no longer be able to communicate with any Bluetooth devices.

Does the intel wireless driver include Bluetooth?

The intel wireless adapter driver does not include Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a different technology from the intel wireless driver. The intel driver is responsible for connecting the computer to the wireless network, while Bluetooth connects the computer to Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Do unshielded USB devices affect Bluetooth?

There is some evidence that unshielded USB devices can emit electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can affect the performance of Bluetooth devices. However, this is not always the case, and it depends on several factors, including the design of the USB device, the type of Bluetooth device, and the environment in which they are used. In general, it is advisable to use shielded USB devices to minimize the potential for interference.

What is an audio device on PC?

An audio device on a PC is a piece of hardware used to playback and record audio. They can be either internal or external. Internal audio devices are typically sound cards; some can be anything from microphones to USB headphones.

Can user account control affect driver installation?

User Account Control (UAC) is a security measure in Windows that can help prevent unauthorized changes to the system. When UAC is enabled, users are prompted for confirmation before making changes that could affect the system.

This can help prevent malicious software from installing drivers without the user’s knowledge or consent. In some cases, UAC can also prevent legitimate software from installing drivers properly.

How can I fix Bluetooth problems?

There are a few potential ways to fix Bluetooth problems. One is to restart the device that is having Bluetooth issues simply. Another possible way to fix the problem is to delete the problem device from the list of paired devices on the phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device and then pair it again. Yet another way to fix Bluetooth issues is to update the software on the phone or another Bluetooth-enabled device.

where is my Bluetooth icon Windows 10

The Bluetooth icon is in the screen’s bottom right corner, next to the clock. Click on the icon, and a list of available devices will appear. Select the device you want to connect to and click Pair.

Where is the Bluetooth icon on Windows 11?

The Bluetooth icon is in the screen’s bottom right corner, next to the clock. Click on the Start menu to find it and search for “Bluetooth.” The Bluetooth icon will be displayed in the search results.