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The onboard Bluetooth on my computer doesn't work and dongles only work temporarily

This question relates to connecting an Audio Technica headphones BUY NOW to a PC BUY NOW

I keep having problems connecting my headphones to my PC (Windows 10). Despite the fact that under Device Manager my onboard Bluetooth is "working normally" I can't connect my headphones (which work fine with my iPhone). I tried a Bluetooth dongle which worked and suddenly stopped working. I tried another dongle which worked perfectly until about three weeks ago. Under Device Manager it said "Windows cannot load the required driver". I've been in touch with the dongle manufacturer and they can't help. I've been in touch with Microsoft too and they can't figure it out either.
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Question by Larry Fishman 7:33pm, 25th January 2021

There are 14 responses to this question

Chris (Admin) responded : 9:33am, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Hi Larry do you know what make/model dongle this is? Also what version of Windows are you running ?
Larry Fishman responded : 2:56pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Thanks for your response! I am running the latest edition of Windows 10 (I am at work and the computer in question is at home so I can't give you more specific info at the moment). The first dongle was an ASUS. I can look for old receipts to see if I can find the model #. The second was a Startech USBBT1EDR4.
John (Admin) responded : 6:24pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Very old Bluetooth dongles may need unique drivers but it's quite uncommon for a modern Bluetooth 4 USB dongle to use an implementation that can't work with the Windows bundled drivers.

Have you at any point installed custom Bluetooth drivers from any sources ?
Larry Fishman responded : 6:43pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
I haven't. I tried to update the driver on the Startech but the manufacturer's tech support told me that they don't have any drivers for download. I tried to update the driver for my onboard (Intel) Bluetooth but Windows says that I have the latest driver.
John (Admin) responded : 6:58pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Yes the Startech tech support departments response suggests what I said before about modern Bluetooth chipsets normally not needing specific drivers.
Device manager has the option to normally force uninstall drivers, just in case there is a problem with them or the non default MS driver set was being actively used.

See this to clarify that process:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/using-device-manager-to-uninstall-devices-and-driver-packages
Larry Fishman responded : 7:47pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Thanks. I'll try that. Any idea why my onboard BT isn't working? Is there any fix for that?
John (Admin) responded : 8:07pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Hard to say about the onboard without some more details of it's model/chipset. This is a desktop PC with built in bluetooth? How old is the PC ?
Larry Fishman responded : 10:26pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
I have repeatedly uninstalled the dongle via Device Manager. I've never seen a dialogue box with "delete driver for this device". It just asks me to confirm the uninstallation. Yes the BT is built in. On Device Manager it's listed as Intel Wireless Bluetooth. There's also Bluetooth Device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI). My computer is about 4-5 years old. Is there anywhere on the computer that would tell me for sure? How can I find the model/chipset info?
Juan (Admin) responded : 10:34pm, 27th January 2021 (1 year ago)
I would imagine if its a pre-made desktop or laptop that it should have a sticker somewhere with brand and model?
Larry Fishman responded : 12:05am, 28th January 2021 (1 year ago)
It was assembled at the store where I bought it. I chose all the components
.Device nameDESKTOP-KRUNLDM
ProcessorIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-8600 CPU @ 3.10GHz 3.10 GHz
Installed RAM8.00 GB
Device ID476D938A-5AFB-4A29-901B-426FCA1D92FA
Product ID00326-00823-61636-AAOEM
System type64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touchNo pen or touch input is available for this display
Juan (Admin) responded : 12:29am, 28th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Hi Larry. It's the bluetooth part that is of interest. Some motherboards have it as a component or as part of an add-on card. If not sure I'd try to get the store that made it to help you.
Larry Fishman responded : 2:49pm, 28th January 2021 (1 year ago)
What specific information should I ask them for?
Chris (Admin) responded : 2:53pm, 28th January 2021 (1 year ago)
What the Bluetooth hardware is inside the PC basically. And also I'd ask if they've heard of this issue before just in case they've had other customers with the same issue on the same/similar hardware.
Larry Fishman responded : 3:27pm, 28th January 2021 (1 year ago)
Thanks. I'll check. The speed of your responses is very impressive!
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