After upgrading to Windows 8.1, my Bluetooth device doesn’t work.

Anonymous
2013-11-11T23:32:10+00:00

After upgrading to Windows 8.1, my Bluetooth device doesn’t work. How can I get it working again?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2013-11-11T23:33:10+00:00

Hi,

 First, try updating the device’s driver:

1.      Check Windows Update for driver updates.

a.      Swipe in from the right to bring up the charms, and select Settings.

b.      Tap or click Change PC Settings.

c.      Select Update and recovery, then select Windows Update.

d.      Select Check for updates. Make sure to look at the Optional updates in the results.

2.      Check the device manufacturer’s site for updated drivers.

3.      Check the radio manufacturer’s site for updates. To determine what make and model of Bluetooth radio you have:

a.      Swipe in from the right to bring up the charms and select Search, and search for device manager. Open Device Manager from the search results.

b.      In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, and look for a device with a name starting with Broadcom, Intel, or Qualcomm Atheros (these are the major radio manufacturers). Check the website of your radio manufacturer for driver updates.

c.      If you don’t see one of these manufacturers, but instead see Generic Bluetooth Adapter:

 i.     Press-and-hold or right-click on Generic Bluetooth Adapter, and select Properties

ii.     Select the Advanced tab.

iii.     Note the number next to Manufacturer ID.

iv.     Find that manufacturer ID on this page: https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/specification/assigned-numbers/company-identifiers  (Common ones will be 2 = Intel, 15 = Broadcom, 69 = Atheros)

4.      Once you have updated your Bluetooth drivers, please try using your device again. In many cases, updating to the latest drivers will resolve the issue. In some instances, you may need to un-pair and re-pair the device from the Bluetooth settings (from the Settings charm, select Change PC Settings, and then select Bluetooth) to completely fix the issue.

If, after updating to the latest available driver and re-pairing the device, your Bluetooth device is still not working, please provide the following information in your post:

·              PC manufacturer and model

·              Bluetooth radio manufacturer and model

·              Remote device manufacturer and model

This information will help Microsoft to further understand your issue and determine if it is a known issue or a new problem that needs additional investigation.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-30T22:57:31+00:00

    I tried going into device manager to find Bluetooth but it's not listed, not even as a generic device. My Bluetooth seems to have stopped working after updating to Windows 8.1

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-30T02:37:33+00:00

    A solution in my case:

    If anybody is interested, I have a fix (work around) for the problem.

    On computer, go to search, type fsquirt.

    Click on fsquirt in search and a fsquirt window will appear on

    your desktop.

    You will have the choice of clicking receiving or sending a picture.

    Example: Clicked receive on desktop window, went to send on my

    Samsung Rugby 2 cell phone, had confirmation that the jpeg I chose was

    sent suscessfuly from my phone.

    Jpeg appeared in Documents folder of Qosmio laptop.

    Also sent a jpeg from computer to cell phone, sent with no problems.

    I would recommend pinning fsquirt to the taskbar or putting a shortcut

    to the desktop for convience sake.

    This is not the slickest solution because it did add a step (having

    to click on fsquirt), which I think shouldn't be needed, but it is

    a solution.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T04:50:32+00:00

    I'm running a new Toshiba  Qosmio X70-AST3GX1  with Win 8.1 on it.

    My Samsung Rugby 2 cell phone will not stay connected to it for more than 10 seconds.

    My wife has a 3 year old Qosmio, but with Win 7 on it, no problems connecting Rugby cellphone to it.

    As a matter of fact, no problems connecting the Rugby to my Ford F 150 pickup truck or Taurus car.

    Just think it is a sad thing when my new, nearly 3 grand laptop, will not connect with the phone and Microsoft says it's not their problem.

    Something is just not right with the way they handle Bluetooth in Win 8.1, too many people are having trouble.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-28T03:40:14+00:00

    isn't it interesting how several different makes and models of laptops and pc's all running windows 8.1 have the same problem....yet they say it's not a Microsoft problem....hmmm who's kidding who?? everything worked fine on my Samsung before the upgrade....

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