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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

184 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-26T15:08:10+00:00

    I too have a problem connecting my hp Envy 15t quad j000 notebook to my Samsung Note II via Bluetooth.  After pairing, It connects for about 10 seconds, then drops.  I can, however, use fsquirt to transfer data to my phone via Bluetooth.  I just can't play music from my phone to my laptop speakers.

    I have an Intel Centrino 2230 wireless adapter combined with the Centrino wireless Bluetooth 4.0 + HS adapter half-mini card 2x2.  Using latest drivers from Intel.

    I tried an alternative wireless LAN + Bluetooth 2x1 half-mini card from Broadcom.  With the latest Broadcom drivers, it worked perfectly with my cell phone.  My only concern was that it only has 1 data stream instead of the Intel card with 2 data streams.  Not sure what all this means, but I presume the 2x2 designation on the Intel half-mini card is better for wireless LAN, and this is why I put it back in the laptop.  I'm hoping that Intel will discover the problem with the 2230 drivers and fix the Bluetooth problem.  After all, if Broadcom can write drivers for their half-mini card that work with Windows 8.1, Intel should be able to do it too!

    I would much appreciate someone more knowledgeable than I correcting my assumptions on which half-mini card would be better.

    Bruce

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-26T18:18:22+00:00

    The informatic guy solved me this problem just just looking for all the drivers using the program "EasyDriver", which install all drivers that detect in your PC or tablet.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-27T02:15:34+00:00

    glad it worked for you....I bought the EasyDriver program and even that did not work...Still frustrated

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-28T16:01:22+00:00

    Hi Brad,

    **THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE DISCLAIMER:**Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments