Frequently Asked Questions about Bluetooth® Technology
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What is Bluetooth® Technology?
Bluetooth® Technology is a wireless technology that enables short-range wireless communication between electronics devices. Most of the recent Intel® Wireless Adapters support Bluetooth Technology.
Similar to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency. Compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth has lower power consumption but shorter in range and slower in throughput. This makes it a great candidate for portable applications that does not require long range and high throughput while low power consumption allows a Bluetooth device to operate with a small battery. For example, connect mice, keyboards, headsets, and speakers wirelessly to a laptop using Bluetooth.
Can you use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios simultaneously (can they coexist)?
Yes, it is possible to use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi simultaneously on Intel Wireless Adapters even they both operate on the same frequency band (2.4 GHz).
We recommend using 5 GHz for Wi-Fi when possible, even if you are not using Bluetooth. It prevents potential interference between your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, and the 5 GHz band is typically less congested than the 2.4 GHz band for Wi-Fi.
Windows* support
There are different Bluetooth profiles and versions that support different use models. On Windows® 10, the supported Bluetooth profiles and versions are also largely dependent on the operating system. See Bluetooth Version and Profile Support in Windows 10 for details.
Does Intel support third-party Linux* drivers?
Who provides software and drivers for Bluetooth?
Your computer manufacturer can customize drivers and software to enable or alter features, or provide improved operation on your computer.
Contact the manufacturer for the latest updates and technical support information. If you can no longer get driver support from your computer manufacturer, you can download generic Intel drivers.
We strongly recommend that you stay up to date with the latest Windows Updates. Ensure you have all of the latest Bluetooth-related patches and fixes from Microsoft.