[RESOLVED] Missing Bluetooth driver for headset (Win 10 & 11)

Community Support
1

Hi,

When I connect my Bose NC 700 to my 12th gen Framework on Windows 10 or 11, some Bluetooth-related devices are not properly recognized:

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As a consequence:

  • the headset’s mic is not recognized
  • their is no “hands free” device (to be used for visioconferences for example)

As far as I can tell, the exact same headset works on other laptops. And it used to work on the 11th gen board.

If anyone could help me that would be greatly appreciated.

2

It worked on Windows 10 using the 11th gen Framework MB, or were you already using Windows 11 there?

This issue now regardless of the past is that drivers are missing. Or Windows is using Microsoft provided generic drivers and is not capturing that hardware correctly. I would go to Bose’s website and see if they have any specific software that you can download.

There is also a setting in Windows update that will allow it to search for updates to 3rd party and hardware. This is one way to get the correct driver automatically. I would prefer to manually find it though.

3

Apparently it is an Intel driver bug with the AX201 card:

It did appear after an optional Windows Update that most likely included Intel drivers.

Apparently, the Intel 22.0.0.2 driver does not suffer from this problem but I did not test that myself.

4

Windows update (windows 11) just proposed a driver update to version 22.160.0.4. I’ll test it and report back.

5

Nope: no change. I tried removing/repairing my headset: no change.

6

@Jean-Marc_Le_Roux Did you solve the problem with the microphone.
I have a Bose NC 700 and Windows 11 and the sound works great but not the microphone.

7

@Ralf_Luders nope. Maybe try a more recent driver.

8

hi did you solve the issue ? bcz am facing same issue now .can you help me to figure it out

9

I’m having the same issue on Win 11, why is this marked as solved?

10

IMHO it’s because it’s not in Framework’s scope. It’s not a Framework issue, but an Intel issue.

11

tl:dr: I don’t have a real solution, but using a Bluetooth USB dongle is a workaround.

Details:

Wanted to share my experiences for posterity.

I’ve used a Framework laptop for a couple years. Windows 11, Intel AX211NGW Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip. Several months ago I started having Bluetooth issues. I’m not certain if it was sporadic or constant, but sometimes it wouldn’t use my Bluetooth headset microphone. I had no other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi issues.

More recently I did more in-depth troubleshooting, spending hours and hours trying various tactics and looking things up. In the end, I realized:

  • Bluetooth headsets would connect as audio output devices, not audio input devices (I tried three Bluetooth headsets from different manufacturers)
  • Upgrading, downgrading, disabling, reenabling, uninstalling, reinstalling drivers didn’t seem to work (I tried a few driver versions, starting with a 22.something version and up to the most recent available, 23.90.0.8)
  • A hardware issue seemed likely, and the Wi-Fi chip is also responsible for Bluetooth.
  • Replacing the AX211NGW with a AX411 Wi-Fi chip didn’t fix the issue. I have the exact same behavior: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth works fine, except that it will not recognize Bluetooth audio input devices.
  • I tried a Bluetooth USB dongle (Asus). That worked fine. Just like when I changed the Wi-Fi card, I had to re-pair Bluetooth devices, but I was able to use my Bluetooth devices properly.

Maybe this is a driver issue, in which case practically every laptop user would be affected until Intel eventually releases a fix - and that issue would have been happening for at least three months.

Or maybe this is a hardware issue, but not with the Wi-Fi card itself - but I’m unclear on what else could go wrong with the internals of a Framework laptop that would result in this very specific issue.