Needing to upgrade so I can create and use a Google passkey

[MarkSun]

At the end of this month, Google is changing their login method from username/password method to a more secure passkey one. In order to use this, computers require Bluetooth capability. My HP Pavilion Slimline s5360a doesn't have this, so I purchased this USB Bluetooth adapter https://www.tp-link.com/au/home-networking/usb-adapter/ub400/

It hasn't resolved the issue, as Google still won't let me create a passkey.

In my settings Bluetooth is switched to "On" and is "Discoverable." The symbol appears in my Device Manager - as shown here:  

Does anyone know how to remedy this, or how to make my computer able to support Bluetooth by some other means?

Thanks.

Note: This particular adapter is "driver free" for Windows 10.  
(P.S. my computer satisfies all other requirements for making a passkey: Windows 10; up-to-date browser; screen lock on.)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Your USB Bluetooth adapter is missing a driver for it to work.

Instead of a 'Generic Bluetooth Radio,' there should a specific model Bluetooth adapter (Broadcom, Realtek, etc.).

Click on the Generic Bluetooth Radio.

Click on the driver tab.  Click on Update driver and select the automatic search for drivers.

Go to Windows Update and check for Updates.

Windows Update may have to install a driver.

If not, you can download and install the driver from the link below:

Download for UB400 | TP-Link

[MarkSun]

Thanks for the reply Paul.

I followed your instructions and selected the automatic search for drivers. This was the result:

There was no update at Windows Update.
I downloaded the driver from the link you provided. I hesitate to install it right away, because the link states that driver is "For Windows 7 and Windows XP" and note 1 states that for Windows 10, "UB400 supports Plug and Play," so my understanding is the driver is installed automatically.

Should I pull the trigger and install anyway?

Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The description of the driver from the link I posted indicates that it is for the following operating systems:

Operating System: win11/win10/win8.1/win7

Here are the release notes from within the driver file after you unzip the file:

/*****************************************************************************
* Copyright(c) 2017, RealTeK Technology Inc. All Right Reserved.
*
* Realtek Bluetooth 8761B Driver package Release Note
*
*
*****************************************************************************/
RTBlueR_Windows_1051.1038.1040.0226.2024_F027_L
Version:
1051.1038.1040.230226

Driver Version
(1)RtkA2dp:
Win7: 1.0.119.0\1
Win8.1: 1.0.119.2\3

(2)RtkAvrcp:
Win7: 1.0.48.0\1
Win8.1: 1.0.48.2\3

(3)RtkBtfilter:
Win7: 1.9.1040.1017\4017
Win8.1: 1.9.1040.1017\4017
Win10: 1.9.1038.3018\2018
Win11x64: 1.9.1051.3012

My recommendation would be to unzip the driver folder and run the setup application inside the folder, because the BT adapter will not work as it is currently configured, and just as I mentioned in my first reply, it will install some model Bluetooth adapter--namely a Realtek one in this case.

[MarkSun]

Thanks. The first time I clicked on your download link, I was presented with a pop-up asking me to click to my New Zealand region, which gave me a slightly different page, for version 1: https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/download/ub400/#Driver

Download for UB400 V1

For Windows 7 and Windows XP

Note:
1. For Windows 8/8.1/10/11, UB400 supports plug and play.

This time I declined the popup and now I see your link is for version 2.6, rather than 1.
I note the warning:
IMPORTANT: Model and hardware version availability varies by region. Please refer to your TP-Link regional website to determine product availability.

The box my adapter came in states it is version 1.0. So presumably your download link, being for version 2.6, wouldn't work for me, right?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I don't know what to tell you.

Probably the driver I gave you won't work, but definitely your BT adapter is missing the correct driver it needs to function.

The only way I will be able to let you know if the driver I posted will work would be for you to post the hardware ID for the Generic Bluetooth radio.

Use this guide for how to find the hardware ID for a device.

How to Find Drivers for Unknown Devices in the Device Manager (howtogeek.com)

I can also use that ID to check the Microsoft Update Catalog website to see if Microsoft has a standalone driver you can install for your USB Bluetooth adapter.

[MarkSun]

Thanks. Here's the ID.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The driver I gave you does not support the hardware ID you posted.

The UB400 driver v1 file does not let me explore the file contents to check the hardware ID.

The Micrsoft Update Catalog does have a driver for the hardware ID you posted but it is for Windows XP 64 Bit.

There is nothing else available.

See if this works and if it doesn't, I suggest you run the driver for Windows 7 from the link you posted, and if that doesn't work, I recommend you buy a different model Bluetooth adapter.

I have found several posts online where folks can't find drivers for that model Bluetooth adapter.

I have zipped up and attached the WXP 64 bit driver below.

Download and unzip the file to its folder.

Do not do anything with the files in the folder.

Go to the device manager, click on the Generic Bluetooth Radio device.

Click on the driver tab.  Click on Update driver.

Select the 'Browse my computer for drivers' option and browse to the driver folder that you unzipped.

Make sure that the Include subfolders box is checked and hopefully, the driver will install.

Here is a partial copy and paste of the driver setup information file which shows driver support for the hardware ID you posted:

[Manufacturer]
%Provider% = WayTechUSB, NTamd64

[WayTechUSB.NTamd64]
%DEVICENAME% = N558Inst,USB\VID_09D3&PID_3001
%DEVICENAME% = N558Inst,USB\VID_0A12&PID_0001
%DEVICENAME% = N558Inst,USB\VID_0A12&PID_ffff
%DEVICENAME% = N558Inst,USB\VID_0A5C&PID_2000

[MarkSun]

Thanks mate.

I downloaded your zip and installed the driver successfully.

Here's the before and after shots:

Note the name change, from Generic Bluetooth Radio to Bluetooth Devices,

However I still couldn't create a passkey.

I investigated for a reason, and apparently the device could not be started.
Under the driver's  'Events' tab

I tried installing my other UB400 driver v1, (which I downloaded yesterday). It failed to install because "The best drivers for your device are already installed."  

Another thing, I don't know if it's relevant, but there was an enormous difference in file size between those two drivers.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, the driver files are vastly different in size because the files from the download size probably contains software to run the device. 

Try this before giving up.

Go to the device manager, right click on the Bluetooth device,  and select Uninstall. 

Also check the Uninstall driver box.

Restart the PC and try installing the manufacturer's W7 driver package again, because there will be no driver installed. 

If that doesn't work, buy a more modern USB Bluetooth 5 adapter. 

The one you have must be pretty old technology.