How to Install PC Bluetooth Adapter on Windows 10

There are a variety of reasons why you might wish to connect a Bluetooth device to your PC. To begin with, the performance of wireless headphones has substantially improved over time. Bluetooth headphones give desktop and laptop users more range and mobility.

Even though Bluetooth connectivity is already included in most laptops and even desktops, some still require Bluetooth upgrades. Don’t worry if you have a system that doesn’t support Bluetooth. Continue reading to learn how to add Bluetooth functionality to any computer quickly and cheaply.

How to Determine Whether You Require a Bluetooth Adapter?

The Bluetooth adapter is incorporated into the motherboard of most laptops, allowing you to connect wirelessly to your devices. On the other hand, desktop computers may not have a built-in Bluetooth device and require USB dongles.

To begin, check to see if your computer has Bluetooth capabilities. The steps below will show you how to check if your computer requires a Bluetooth adapter using three different approaches.

Use the Device Manager.

• Go to the Device Manager from the Power User by pressing the Win + X shortcut keys.

• Bluetooth should appear somewhere towards the top of the list. Expand the Network category and look for Bluetooth Radios if you don’t see them.

Using the Settings App in Windows

• Select Devices from the Settings app (Win + I).

• The “Bluetooth & other devices” tab should be visible here. If this is not the case, your computer lacks a Bluetooth adapter.

Using the Control Panel

• Windows Search may be accessed by pressing the Win + S key combination. In the search input box, type “control panel” and press Enter.
• Select Network and Internet. Then, Network and Sharing Center in the following box. Then, on the left panel.

• Click Change Adapter Settings to open the Network Connections box.

• Bluetooth Network Connection should be visible here. You’ll need to install a Bluetooth adapter if you don’t.

If your Bluetooth adapter isn’t working correctly, we’ll teach you how to replace it. If your computer doesn’t have Bluetooth, follow the steps below to install it.

How to Disable your old Bluetooth Dongle 

You may disable your old Bluetooth adapter and create room for your new one with a few clicks in Device Manager.

• Type the “Device Manager” into the windows search box. Select the first result from the list.
• Select the “Bluetooth” category from the drop-down Bluetooth menu. Scroll down the list and click the arrow next to the “Bluetooth icon.”
• For Windows 10, disable your previous Bluetooth driver. In Device Manager, locate your old Bluetooth adapter, right-click it, and select “Disable device.”

Install a USB Bluetooth Adapter Driver for Windows 10

After you have disabled your old adapter, you may start installing your new Bluetooth adapter. Insert the new Bluetooth adapter into your computer’s free USB port. If it’s a PCI-E card, you may just plug it into your motherboard. Windows should recognize it and install the latest drivers automatically.

For Enabling Bluetooth connection, follow the installation instructions.

• Open the settings menu.
• Firstly, navigate to the Start button and then the settings icon above the power button. Alternatively, hold down the “Window + I” key.
• Select ‘Devices’ from the drop-down menu.

• Turn on Bluetooth.
• Click “Bluetooth and other devices” in the sidebar, then toggle “Bluetooth” to “On” in the central panel.

How to Manually Install a Bluetooth Adapter Driver on Windows 10

External Bluetooth adapter still doesn’t function or won’t toggle on. Your PC may lack the necessary drivers. It could be due to the operating system failing to recognize the device.

You can fix this by manually checking for good drivers and searching the Windows Update catalog. Follow the given setup process.

It’s always a wise idea to go to the manufacturer’s website of your device maker to get the newest drivers and follow their installation instructions. On the other hand, most manufacturers publish their drivers and make them available through Windows Update, making the installation process much simpler.

Follow these procedures to install a Bluetooth driver with Windows Update manually:

• Open the Settings menu.
• Select Update & Security from the drop-down menu.
• Choose “Windows Update” from the options.
• Look for updates by selecting the Check for updates button (if applicable).

• Select View optional updates from the drop-down menu.
• Select the Driver Updates tab from the drop-down menu.
• Choose the driver that you need to update. 
• Select “Download and install” from the drop-down menu.

You must connect wireless devices to your personal computer system without issue once you have completed the procedures.

Check to see if the new Bluetooth Devices are correctly configured.

The next step is to verify that the new Bluetooth adapters function correctly. The Settings app is the quickest way to verify the new adapter:

• To open the Settings app, press Win + I on your keyboard.
• Go to the Devices tab. The “Bluetooth & other devices” tab should be chosen by default when it opens.
• The Bluetooth toggle switch should be active, indicating that the new adapter was installed correctly and recognized by Windows.
• If you only see the “Add Bluetooth and other devices” button, Windows ran into an issue while installing the short-range wireless radio adapter.

In that scenario, you may need to install the Bluetooth driver manually.

Conclusion

After you’ve completed the instructions above, you should be able to utilize your Bluetooth adaptor without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

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