The Realtek Bluetooth driver is a software component that enables Bluetooth functionality on computers, particularly those with Realtek Bluetooth radios. It allows the connection and operation of wireless devices such as headsets, speakers, and input peripherals. For users experiencing issues, the driver can be manually updated through several methods.
To install or update the Realtek Bluetooth driver, first identify your device model and visit the manufacturer’s support website—such as Dell, HP, or ASUS—to download the appropriate driver. For example, HP provides updated drivers for Realtek Bluetooth 5 adapters, including version 18.4024.2411.1912 for Windows 10 24H2. Similarly, ElevenForum offers updated drivers for various Realtek Bluetooth models, such as the 8922AE and 8852CE, with the latest versions dated up to October 2025. These drivers can be installed by extracting the files and using the "Browse my computer for driver software" option in Device Manager.
If the driver is missing or corrupted, check Device Manager for any devices under Bluetooth or Unknown Devices with a yellow warning icon. Right-click the device and select "Update Driver" to search automatically or manually browse to the downloaded driver folder. For some older systems, a compatibility hold may prevent Windows 10 updates if the Realtek Bluetooth driver version is earlier than 1.5.1012; updating to a newer driver resolves this issue.
Additionally, users can use Windows Update to check for optional updates that may include the latest Realtek Bluetooth drivers. If the driver fails to reinstall automatically after uninstallation, manually downloading and installing it from the manufacturer’s site is recommended. Some drivers come with an "Install.cmd" file that must be run as an administrator to complete installation. After installation, a system restart is typically required.
For users encountering persistent connectivity problems, resetting Bluetooth settings, restarting Bluetooth services via services.msc, or re-pairing devices may help. If issues continue, a hardware fault with the Bluetooth adapter may be the cause, requiring repair or replacement.
How do I properly install Realtek Bluetooth drivers?
Major problems with bluetooth connectivity, can't redownload realtek adapter
Realtek Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter drivers
Realtek Bluetooth Adapter Keeps Disconnecting After Driver Update?
Ever since my Dad got me a gaming rig I've been having trouble with the Bluetooth drivers. Anytime I want to connect anything like wireless headphones, it simply will not connect, or when I try to use a controller there is this weird thing where horrible input lag will kick in out of nowhere and mess up my controller for 15 seconds or so. This isn't exclusive to games but also emulators, I know it's not the controllers because I've use different controllers from different platforms and each works fine on their respected platform and even my old potato laptop from 2014. All of this information combined leads me to believe it's the drivers.
According to the device manager my PC uses Realtek Bluetooth. Though I went to the site and downloaded updated drivers, but nothing has changed.
PS: Both my old laptop and My gaming rig uses Windows 10. Also, I've only been using Windows 10 frequently since 2019 and have been PC gaming for just as much time, I only got this new PC a few months ago. Forgive my ignorance and or misinterpretation of certain things.
Thank you for your response.
I have tried the steps you rcommended and I continue to have
the same issue.
- Device Manager - Uninstalled Realtek Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter
- Restarted PC
- All drivers are up to date, yet the issue remains that the
only device affected is the wireless headphone (Cowin E-7),
I lose the sound, although it appears in Bluetooth devices,
and is replaced by "speakers." - I have to reload the minidisk for the Realtel Bluetooth 5.0
Adapter to load the Realtek drivers back on and re-install Realtek
Bluetooth. After this is complete the wireles headphones
work well.
Guess I shall ignore any updates, since headphones work well
without updates.
Should you have any other resolution, please let me know.
Thanks again for getting back.
Hello, I'm Louie, and I'm happy to help you today. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with audio.
I would highly recommend you to try the solutions provided by Greg on the thread below.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Louie
I’ve been struggling with my Realtek Bluetooth adapter randomly disconnecting after a driver update. Has anyone found a specific version that works reliably?
Where did you get your driver update from? If I cannot get one directly from the manufacturer of the adapter, (and it doesn’t look like Realtek has Bluetooth drivers on their website,) I would download it from the PC manufacturer’s site.
What driver version are you currently using?
Can you downgrade to the previous version if it was working?
Ran into this problem also, complaining about old Realtek BT drivers but none installed.
First check for non-present devices in Device Manager by enabling hidden items under View/Show hidden devices. If you still don't see your bluetooth device listed, you may have an orphaned driver file like I did.
Check your C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder for the file RtkBtfilter.sys.
An old Realtek bluetooth driver, not being used but detected by the updater
Deleted the file and update was able to continue.
There was nothing logged in the CompatData().xml files as suggested to check here:
https://www.howtogeek.com/416169/how-to-fix-what-needs-your-attention-windows-10-setup-errors/
(I guess because it wasn't installed nor was there any inf file for it)
It seems that your Realtek Bluetooth driver is too outdated,
as described in the Microsoft article
Updating to a new version of Windows 10 on devices with some driver versions for Realtek Bluetooth radios.
A workaround is found in the article Microsoft Removes Windows 10 1909 Realtek Driver Update Block :
- Download these two Realtek Bluetooth radio drivers: Driver 1 and Driver 2
- Using File Explorer, double-click both and extract their contents into the same folder, but in two different sub-folders
- Start Device Manager
- Find and expand "Bluetooth"
- Right-click the Realtek device and select Update Driver
- Select "Browse my computer for driver software" and position to the above folder
- It should find the drivers and install them
- Select Close.
Windows 10 version 1909 may now agree to install (if it finds the hardware acceptable).