Why You Should Download and Upgrade Bluetooth Drivers

Contrary to popular belief, Bluetooth is not a kind of hardware, but rather a protocol for wireless communication.  The following article will instruct you on how to find Bluetooth drivers.

 

The Bluetooth protocol was developed to enable short-range wireless communication in an area where normal wireless bandwidth is low.  In other words, instead of using the local area network (LAN) or wireless area network (WAN or WLAN), it uses a different frequency and protocol (the Bluetooth protocol).

 

Bluetooth helps local wireless area networks keep from getting bogged down.  It also allows Bluetooth--enabled devices to communicate with each other at a higher rate of speed when the WLAN is running slowly due to heavy use.

 

This protocol isn't just used for personal computers and cell phone devices.  It is also implemented in a variety of industrial, scientific, and medical devices as well.

Bluetooth--One Protocol, Many Drivers

 

It is important to remember that Bluetooth is not a company that makes, manufactures, or sells Bluetooth hardware.  Rather, it is a protocol as well as a trade organization/special interest group made up of over 5,000 companies.  The special interest group develops and licenses specifications to the protocol and the technology used with it.

 

Because so many different companies create these devices, finding Bluetooth drivers may seem like a maddening task at first.  Fortunately, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 all come with drivers to support Bluetooth.  Windows 2000 can also support this protocol. 

Downloading Bluetooth Drivers

 

Most recently made laptops, and a great number of recent desktops, include a Bluetooth adapter as a hardware component.  If your computer didn't come with one ready-installed, this article assumes that you have acquired an external device and need to download a driver or driver update for it.

 

Before you can download your Bluetooth drivers, you need to know which company manufactured your device.  If you are using an external device or adapter, this should be imprinted somewhere on the casing.

 

If your adapter came built-in with your computer, or if for some reason you cannot tell who made your external device, never fear--finding out which company manufactured the hardware should be relatively easy.  Simply go to the Windows Control Panel.  There should be a "Bluetooth Devices" icon if you have the device already installed on your computer.

 

 

(This may not be the case if your device is external and for some reason won't load its drivers.  In this case, it is essential that you know which company manufactured it.  However, you may also be able to find your adapter by clicking on the Device Manager icon in Control Panel.)

Installing Your Bluetooth Driver

 

In the case of an external device, make sure it is firmly plugged into a USB port before visiting the manufacturer's site.

 

Bluetooth drivers can usually be found in the "Support" or "Downloads" section of most manufacturers' websites.  Some will even have a "Drivers" section with a link right on the front page. 

 

(Screenshots from the Plantronics website are used here as examples.  Other manufacturers' websites will require a similar navigation.)

 

 

Once you are on the support page, click on the "Downloads" link to find your drivers.  Most manufacturers' websites utilize similar navigation:

 

 

 

 

Once you have found the driver for your device, double-click it to begin the download.  When the window appears that asks whether you want to run or save the program, choose "save".

 

 

 

Once the file has been downloaded, all you will need to do with most driver installers is double-click in order to run the setup wizard.  You will want to click "Next" and "I Agree" whenever such a button appears.

 

 

Once the install wizard is finished, the configuration wizard should begin.  All you will need to do is follow the instructions given to you.  (If you are updating existing software, you will likely not need to go through the Configure Wizard.)

Enjoy Your Bluetooth Wireless Communication Capabilities

 

Congratulations!  Your computer, phone, or other personal electronic device should now be enabled due to your Bluetooth driver(s) download.  Now it's time to enjoy it.