Bluetooth driver/software for Broadcom

[MartijnE_NL]

Thank you very much for your time reading this article and helping me!

I recently installed Windows 10 (64-bit) on my HP EliteBook 8460p. My laptop says it can't connect to a Bluetooth device. So I guess I need the missing Broadcom Bluetooth driver/software. However, in the device manager, it doesn't say that there is an unknown device or any Bluetooth device at all.

On the Broadcom site is stated the following:
"Windows drivers for Broadcom Bluetooth devices are no longer posted here. They should be available through Microsoft's Windows Update service. If drivers were not downloaded automatically by Windows Update, use Device Manager to refresh the driver from Windows Update, or contact the device manufacturer." on https://www.broadcom.com/support/bluetooth

Unfortunately, HP doesn't officially support the HP EliteBook 8460p, Broadcom says it is not their problem basically and there is no available driver/software via Windows Update.
On various HP forums I have read some nice workarounds for other software and driver problems for the HP EliteBook 8460p, but no single one mentions the Bluetooth problem.

So could someone please help me? If anyone is so kind to help me, thank you very much!
HP EliteBook 8460p on Windows 10 (64-bit) searching for a Broadcom Bluetooth driver/software.

Thank you very much for your time reading this article and helping me!

[banhien]

@MartijnE_NL

Are you sure your machine does have Bluetooth ? The following does not mentione your machine at all

      ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp71501-72000/sp71850.html

Your machine may have one of the following wireless cards

● Broadcom 802.11 b/g/n, 1×1
● Broadcom 802.11 a/b/g/n, 2×2
● Broadcom 4322, 802.11a/b/g/n, 2×2

None of them have Bluetooth.

Regards.

[MartijnE_NL]

Yes, I am sure it has Bluetooth because I used it quite a lot when I was on Windows 7 (64-bit) to transfer documents from my EliteBook to my phone.

When I go to my device manager and open network adapters I see that there is an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 and an Intel 82579LM Gigabit.

Should I maybe open my laptop from the bottom to check something? 

Thanks for the quick response!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi< @MartijnE_NL

If there is no presence of bluetooth hardware...no Bluetooth device manager category, then the issue is Bluetooth was turned off when you upgraded to W10, by the HP connection manager software in W7.

There are only two ways I know of to get the BT radio to show up...

1. The easiest way to get Bluetooth working on Win10, is to download an Ubuntu ISO file, and make a USB installer for Ubuntu, a variant of Linux operating system (via unetbootin, if there is no access to computer running linux). Boot via this live USB (selecting the option of 'Try Ubuntu without installing'), and turn Bluetooth on in Ubuntu settings. Reboot to Windows 10 and the bluetooth will be operational.

2. Go back to W7, install the HP connection manager software from your notebook's support page, turn the BT on, uninstall the HP connection manager software, restart the PC, verify the BT is still turned on, and then upgrade back to W10.

[MartijnE_NL]

Hey @Paul_Tikkanen,

Thank you very much. I will try Ubuntu today and see if it works.
Before I upgraded to Windows 10, I did use Ubuntu for a few days. I did turn off BT then to save some energy.
I will let you know whether it worked or not.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I'm 99% sure that is your issue.

[MartijnE_NL]

It worked! Thank you very much 😄

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[SayanPal]

I have the same problem. I have a Lenovo G580 though. I tried ubuntu via a bootable USB. The bluetooth worked in Ubuntu as you told. However, when I logged back to Windows, Bluetooth stayed invisible; i.e. Device Manager still do not show anything for Bluetooth. Any suggestion, what I should try next?

[MartijnE_NL]

Hi SayanPal,

Try to go back into Ubuntu and then turn on your Bluetooth. Then shut down your laptop or PC. After that, boot into Windows and have a look whether Bluetooth returned.

Please, let me know if this worked for you.

Martijn