Bluetooth drivers not retained

MeijdenB · 06 Jul 2020

Due to a malfunction, the wireless module of my Dell XPS 15 had to be replaced. Since the replacement, I'm unable to use the bluetooth which is included on the same module (Intell AC9260). I've tried the drivers suggested by Windows as well as the manufacturer specific driver and the generic chipset driver. All with the same result: It will work after the installation, but will disappear after a reboot.

After booting my laptop the bluetooth device shows in Device Management as having a problem with error code 43: "windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (code 43)". I can run the problem solver for bluetooth and the device will function normally, until a reboot.

I've put in a new SSD to be able to run a clean install of Windows-10 or even an Ubuntu installation. In both cases the bluetooth works as expected. Which points in the direction of my current Windows installation having an issue somewhere. Any ideas or suggestions to further analyze and fix the issue are appreciated since a clean install at this moment is no option.

Laptop: Dell XPS 15
Windows version: 1909 build 18363.900
Wireless module: Intell Wireless AC-9260
Bluetooth driver: Microsoft 10.0.18362.1 (WinBuild 160101.0800)

dalchina · 06 Jul 2020

Hi, you could try an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all progs and data just like any upgrade. For this you need either a 1909 iso file (Freely downloadable- see tutorial on downloading an iso file for Win 10) or access to a 1909 bootable disk if you already have one.

This is started after you have logged in- either run setup.exe from the bootable disk or the mounted iso file.

In-place upgrade repair install: tutorial available if needed.

Make sure you have around 30Gb of free space on C:

a clean install at this moment is no option

I therefore hope you are routinely using disk imaging to give a second chance when things go badly wrong and may help to avoid doing one. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free/paid).

MeijdenB · 07 Jul 2020

I tried the in-place upgrade repair install, but unfortunately it didn't deliver the result I hoped for. After a reboot the bluetooth adapter showed an error again in device management

dalchina · 07 Jul 2020

This seems a recent laptop and given you've had work done on it, assume it may be under some sort of warranty. I would suggest you use that.

MeijdenB · 07 Jul 2020

Unfortunately not. The machine is 4,5 years old it's run out of warranty. The HW replacement was done by our service provider, but they can't find a working solution either. They fixed me up with the workaround via the bluetooth problem solver, which works, but is annoying. So I thought to give it another try.

Anibor · 07 Jul 2020

You can use a USB Bluetooth adapter. They are inexpensive and small.

dalchina · 07 Jul 2020

Try turning Fast Startup off and trying again. I was thinking perhaps the repair had a warranty attached.

Also since an in-place upgrade repair didn't help, try creating a new user for test purposes, and repeat the sequence only using that user.

I can't imagine what's happening to cause this except something related to your user profile.

MeijdenB · 09 Jul 2020

Unfortunately the Fast Startup or new user profile both didn't work.

dalchina · 09 Jul 2020

Seems you're reduced to using an adapter as Anibor suggested with your current installation, at least for now.

MeijdenB · 09 Jul 2020

Either that or running the bluetooth problem solver. Thanks for all the suggestions though.