Bluetooth no longer detected under Windows 10

Hi,

I'll try to keep this short. I have an Acer Nitro 791g which came with an Atheros chip, QCa61X4 (NFA344). This system is 3.5 years old now. I'm currently running Windows 10 1809. I believe around 2 years into buying it the bluetooth module would occasionally stop working with a yellow exclamation under device manager with an error code 45 stating the device could not be started. At the same time, USB section would show this error code: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43) A request for the USB device descriptor failed."
This later progressed to the device disappearing entirely and the bluetooth toggle going away too. (It would show under hidden devices however). I ignored the problem until the WiFi also started pulling this move and disappearing from the system. (Regardless of the drivers used).

So 2 months ago I bought an Intel 9260 chip and plugged it in and updated the drivers. The bluetooth module did NOT work on the first bootup but then subsequently worked and I shrugged the issue off as an anomaly.
The problem is right now the bluetooth module has again disappeared although the WiFi part works without a hitch. This time I ran Ubuntu 18.10 off a flash drive to see if it could be a windows fault but nope, even Ubuntu fails to see the Bluetooth module but Wifi works fine.

So now my question is, what on earth could be going on? Could the bluetooth module have truly failed whilst the Wifi side works fine? Is this just a fluke or could there be a different hardware fault with the mobo or connections because I find it highly fishy for it to fail like this. Thanks.

well I had a problem similar to that with an older laptop pre windows 10 . the resolution was to install the windows 8.1 driver then installing windows 10 driver. seems older laptops had enable and disable hardware toggles to save power controlled by the 8.1 driver's additional services that were never implimented in 10 release. but you now seem to have a real hardware problem since the problem carried forward . but I still suggest you replug older card and install the 8.1 driver then 10 driver and see if it solves anything.

You could also try installing the keyboard (Launcher) utility from Manufacturer's support site. This should enable all keyboard shortcuts so you can turn on the Bluetooth.

I have a similar issue with a built-in Bluetooth adapter. This BT adapter is within my ASUS Zen 2-in-1 Q-Series (Q504UAK) notebook. I even tried using a separate 4.1 USB BT dongle and I cannot seem to get either of them to pair with any of my Bluetooth speakers, headsets, or my over-the-ear Cowin noise-canceling earphones. Whatever I pair with my built-in BT under Windows 10 does not want to work. Windows is telling me that the device is paired "on paper", but when I actually try that particular device (ie-the headphones) there is no sound coming from them.



I ended up having to buy a separate BT Transmitter to use when I wanted to use a pair of wireless headsets with my notebook.


Here are my ASUS notebook's specifications according to SPECCY. I redacted with asteriks my IP addresses and MAC addresses for privacy purposes. I do not think you need them for diagnosing purposes...

A third party alternative to Windows build-in Bluetooth support, is IVT BlueSoleil. I have used it sometimes to make Bluetooth audio work successfully with cheap USB Bluetooth dongles. The only disadvantage (apart that is not free) is that you must use its own application to enable Bluetooth function, so you cannot enable Bluetooth through some other application (such as a mobile phone contact manager). That's why I only use it as a last resort and always try to make the Windows built-in interface work first.

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Since the post I have taken out the bluetooth module, and plugged the old broadcom one and tried it under ubuntu and it worked. I then switched it again with the intel module and made sure its fit snugly. Booted it into both ubuntu and windows 10 and all seemed great. Yesterday again the bluetooth device disappeared from Device Manager even though it worked perfectly for the few 4-5 days since reinserting it. What gives? Why does ONLY the bluetooth side of the module fail to show up?
Edit: I attached this error that also shows up when the bluetooth module disappears from device manager (this is the same error when the qualcomm chip failed too).

Try3 said:

Sorry if it is there & I missed it but have you tried going back to the Acer support site to get then install their latest driver for the Bluetooth card & their latest BIOS update?
- Using Device mgr to "update driver" does not achieve everything that installing the hardware driver again does.
- There would be no point in re-installing the latest BIOS update if you already have it.

Denis

Hi Denis, my network chip is not the OEM one that came with the Acer laptop. I swapped it out for an Intel 9260 less than 2 months back. I have the latest drivers from Intel's website. I am running the latest BIOS for my laptop. My gripe is mostly with how the bluetooth keeps failing when the Wifi part of the chip is fine. In retrospect, the qualcomm chip did work on re-insertion so I'm not sure if this could be a motherboard or connector issue somewhere? It's just weird that "bluetooth" ends up being the victim each time?
I did try it just now on ubuntu which also fails to see bluetooth but sees the wifi which works fine.

Probably Windows Update checks your working driver, finds a newer but not working driver, updates to the newer driver and screws your Bluetooth. You have to install your working driver and then block any driver updates (see relevant threads)