I have been working in computer repairing for 10 years and have used everything from Windows XP to Windows 11. Based on my experience, I can say that Windows XP and Windows 7 required drivers for every device to function, but with Windows 10, no drivers are necessary.
Windows 10 is an advanced operating system released by Microsoft in 2015. The main goal of this OS was to make it user-friendly, which is why it introduced the plug and play feature for the first time. This means that you can simply plug in devices like Bluetooth, WiFi, microphone, camera, etc., and use them without installing any drivers.
However, if you are still looking for a Bluetooth driver for Windows 10, it may indicate that your PC's Bluetooth is not working.
There could be several reasons why Bluetooth isn't working on Windows 10. In this article, I will guide you through the steps to fix these issues and also provide links to download the best Bluetooth drivers for Windows 10.
What are Drivers and why are they important?
Before diving into Bluetooth driver download, let’s first understand:
- What are drivers?
- What do drivers do?
- Why do we need drivers?
- What happens if the wrong drivers are installed?
First, let me make one thing clear: if you’re here just to download Bluetooth drivers, you can scroll down and download them directly. But if you want to understand drivers in detail, I recommend reading this entire article.
By the end of this article, I’m confident that all your doubts regarding drivers will be cleared, and you’ll be able to resolve driver-related problems on your own in the future.
So, let’s get started!
1. What are Drivers?
Drivers are software programs that act as a bridge between your computer's operating system and hardware devices (like keyboards, mice, printers, or Bluetooth devices).
In simple terms, drivers are like "translators" that help your computer communicate with hardware. For example:
- If you connect a printer to your computer, the printer driver ensures that the operating system can send instructions to the printer.
- Without drivers, your hardware might not function properly, or your computer might not recognize it at all.
Drivers enable hardware and software to work together seamlessly.
2. What Do Drivers Do?
The primary job of a driver is to ensure that the computer's operating system and hardware devices work together seamlessly. In simple terms, a driver acts as a "translator" that helps the hardware understand the instructions sent by the computer.
Example 1:
Suppose you plug a Bluetooth USB dongle into your computer, and you want to turn it off. When you send the command to turn off the Bluetooth from your computer, the driver will send a signal to the Bluetooth device saying, "Turn off," so that no other device can connect to it.
If the Bluetooth driver is not installed, the Bluetooth device won't receive this signal, and it won’t turn off.
Example 2:
Now, suppose our Bluetooth USB dongle is damaged, and we plug it into the computer. In this case, the Bluetooth driver will send a signal to the computer indicating that the Bluetooth device is connected but not responding properly. The computer will then display an error message on the screen, informing us that our Bluetooth USB dongle is faulty.
In this way, drivers ensure that your computer can communicate with hardware devices and detect any issues effectively.
3. Why Do We Need Drivers?
Drivers act as the communication bridge between a computer and hardware devices. Without drivers, your computer cannot recognize or properly utilize hardware devices. For instance, without installing a printer driver, you cannot use a printer to print documents.
Without drivers, seamless coordination between the computer and hardware is not possible. Below are a few examples to help explain this better:
Examples:
- Computer Keyboard: A computer keyboard typically has 104-105 keys. The function of each key is determined by the driver. Without the driver, the computer cannot understand what action should be performed when a key is pressed.
- Motherboard Components: Several components, such as RAM and SSD, are connected to the motherboard. Without drivers, the configuration of these components cannot be viewed on the screen.
- Audio Ports: Most motherboards have two audio ports, one on the front and another on the back. - If the front audio port is not working, a driver is required to fix the issue. - Similarly, if you want to disable the front audio port, it is not possible without the driver.
In conclusion, drivers not only facilitate communication between the computer and hardware but also ensure that each device operates at its full potential.
4. What Happens if the Wrong Drivers Are Installed?
First, let me clarify that "wrong drivers" can have two different meanings in this context:
1. Installing an Older Driver Version:
For example, if you have a device that supports version 2.0, but you install a driver meant for version 1.5, here’s what could happen:
- The device might not work efficiently.
- It could operate slower than usual.
- It might disconnect automatically at times.
- You won’t be able to use all the features of the device.
2. Installing a Driver Without the Relevant Device:
If you don’t have the hardware for which the driver is intended and accidentally install the driver, here’s what will happen:
- It will not impact your system's performance.
- The driver will only take up a small amount of space on your hard disk.
- Drivers are designed to work with specific hardware. If the hardware is not connected, the driver will remain inactive and won’t affect your system.
Installing the wrong drivers might affect your hardware’s functionality or performance. However, if the hardware is not present, the driver will not activate and will remain idle on your system. To avoid issues, always download and install the correct drivers from the device manufacturer’s official website.
Why You Need the Right Bluetooth Driver
Installing the correct Bluetooth driver is essential for the performance and stability of your device. It not only ensures a smooth connection but also allows you to utilize all the features of your device. If you do not install the right driver, you may face several issues, such as:
- Bluetooth device not being detected
- Connection problems
- Limited access to features
- System performance issues, and more
To avoid these problems, always download and install the correct and latest Bluetooth driver from the manufacturer’s official website.
How to Download the Best Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10
Before downloading a Bluetooth driver, it is very important to know which type of Bluetooth you have and its version. Generally, there are 3 types of Bluetooth:
- Built-in Bluetooth: This Bluetooth is already built into your computer's motherboard.
- PCI Card Bluetooth: This Bluetooth adapter is installed in the PCI slot of the motherboard.
- USB Dongle Bluetooth: This is a small USB device that plugs into a USB port.
First, make sure to confirm which type of Bluetooth you have from the options above, then follow the steps mentioned.
1. Built-in Bluetooth Driver
Built-in Bluetooth drivers are already installed on the system, so no external driver is required. However, if your built-in Bluetooth is not working, follow these steps:
- Install the driver from the motherboard's CD provided with your system.
- Visit the official website of your motherboard manufacturer and download the Bluetooth driver.
- Search for the Bluetooth driver on Google using your motherboard's name and model number.
- Request the CD drive from the shopkeeper where you purchased your PC.
- Update Windows
2. PCI Card Bluetooth
The PCI Bluetooth driver is not pre-installed and must be installed manually. Follow these steps to install it:
- Use the small CD drive provided with the Bluetooth device to install the driver.
- Insert the Bluetooth card into the PCI slot and perform a Windows Update.
- Search for the Bluetooth driver on Google using its name and model number.
- Visit the official website of your Bluetooth device to download the appropriate driver.
3. USB Dongle Bluetooth
A USB dongle Bluetooth is a portable Bluetooth device. Its specialty is that it supports third-party drivers, making it easy to use. The driver for a USB Bluetooth dongle can be installed in several ways:
- Install the driver using the small CD drive provided with the Bluetooth device.
- Download the driver from the Bluetooth device's official website.
- Plug the Bluetooth dongle into a USB 3.0 port and perform a Windows update.
- Search for the driver on Google using the Bluetooth device's name and model number.
- Install a third-party driver compatible with your device.
The methods mentioned above are completely safe and ethical, ensuring there is no risk of viruses or hacking. These methods work efficiently on both Intel and AMD processors.
Here, the term third-party drivers means that you can install a driver from another company, as long as it matches your Bluetooth device's model.
Download Bluetooth Driver for Windows 10
Please note that this Bluetooth driver is compatible only with Intel processors and will not work with AMD processors. Now, you can download the Bluetooth driver for Windows 10 x64-bit.
AMD users can install the Bluetooth driver for Windows 10 from the CD/DVD provided with their motherboard or try other methods mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the different types of Bluetooth, methods for installing their drivers, and the importance of choosing the right driver. Selecting the correct driver is crucial for better performance and stability of your device. Whether your device is built-in Bluetooth, PCI card Bluetooth, or a USB dongle, following the steps mentioned above will help you easily install the right driver for your system.
Remember to always download drivers from trusted and official sources to avoid any security issues.