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How to Update the Bluetooth Driver Using Device Manager in Windows 11

Richard
Written by
Richard
May 20, 2026 Updated Aug 12, 2026 3 min read
USB Bluetooth adapter glowing blue in laptop
USB Bluetooth adapter glowing blue in laptop

Updating the Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 fixes annoying audio drops, broken mouse connections, and pairing failures by giving your computer the latest software instructions to talk to your wireless gear. Device Manager, the built-in Windows tool for managing computer hardware, handles this update process in just a few clicks without needing any extra software.

When wireless gadgets stop working right, getting a fresh driver stops the stuttering and gets your gear back online.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Device Manager by typing ‘devmgmt.msc’ in the Start menu search. Expand ‘Bluetooth ,’ right-click your adapter, select ‘Update driver,’ and choose ‘Search automatically for drivers.’ Follow any on-screen prompts and restart your PC.

Update Your Bluetooth Driver Using Device Manager

Erratic hardware behavior usually traces back to outdated drivers. Device Manager inventories every piece of connected hardware and manages its underlying software.

Executing this update requires a few specific actions:

1Open Device Manager

Press the Win, type ‘devmgmt.msc’, and hit Enter to open Device Manager. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager” from the quick link menu.

💡Tip
Right-clicking the Start button provides a shortcut to this utility.

2Find Your Bluetooth Adapter

Device Manager lists your computer's hardware by category. Locate 'Bluetooth' and click the small arrow next to it to reveal your devices and adapters. Confine changes strictly to the Bluetooth section to avoid altering unrelated system components.

⚠️Warning
Restrict modifications to the Bluetooth section to prevent unintended system instability.

3Start the Driver Update

Locate the specific Bluetooth adapter within the expanded list. Entry names vary by manufacturer, appearing frequently as "Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)". Right-click the adapter entry to open the context menu. Select "Update driver" from the options.

4Let Windows Search for Drivers

Prompt Windows to search automatically for the latest driver software.

Explanation: Windows Update supplies recent driver packages, though occasionally newer versions exist on manufacturer support sites. This step initiates the automatic search routine.

5Follow the On-Screen Prompts

Complete the installation by following the on-screen prompts if Windows locates a newer version.

Tip: An indication that the best driver is already installed means the current catalog lacks a newer package. Alternative update methods resolve that scenario.

6Restart Your PC

Rebooting the computer applies the updated driver code to the operating system kernel.

Action: Click "Restart now" or initiate a reboot from the Start menu.

Device Manager window showing Bluetooth adapter options in Windows 11.
Device Manager window showing Bluetooth adapter options in Windows 11.
Device Manager searching automatically for updated Bluetooth drivers in Windows 11.
Device Manager searching automatically for updated Bluetooth drivers in Windows 11.
Device Manager indicates best Bluetooth drivers are already installed in Windows 11.
Device Manager indicates best Bluetooth drivers are already installed in Windows 11.

Reference:

Summary

Updating the Bluetooth driver through Device Manager in Windows 11 resolves connection errors and enhances hardware reliability.

How to update Bluetooth driver from Device Manager?

To update your Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 using Device Manager, first open Device Manager by typing 'devmgmt.msc' into the Start menu search. Then, expand the 'Bluetooth' section, right-click your Bluetooth adapter, choose 'Update driver,' and select 'Search automatically for drivers.'

How to manually update drivers in Device Manager?

To manually update drivers in Device Manager, open the tool using 'devmgmt.msc.' Find the specific hardware, right-click it, and select 'Update driver.' From there, choose 'Browse my computer for drivers' and then 'Let me pick from a list of available drivers' to select the exact driver you want.

How to fix Bluetooth driver problems?

Fix Bluetooth driver problems by updating the driver through Device Manager. If updating doesn't work, try uninstalling the Bluetooth adapter from Device Manager and then restarting your PC to let Windows automatically reinstall it. This often resolves connectivity issues.

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Tags: #Windows 11
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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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