The Broadcom 2046 Bluetooth 2.1 USB UHE Dongle adds Bluetooth connectivity to a computer through a USB port. Its driver helps Windows recognize the adapter and communicate with compatible Bluetooth peripherals, such as mice, keyboards, and audio devices. When choosing a download for Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, check that the package supports both your operating system and this specific Broadcom adapter.

Key Features

• Adapter recognition: Provides the driver components Windows needs to identify the Broadcom USB dongle and make its Bluetooth functions available.
• Wireless peripheral connections: Enables pairing and communication with supported Bluetooth devices. Available functions depend on the peripheral, Bluetooth profiles, and installed software.
• Bluetooth 2.1 operation: Supports the adapter’s Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities for use with compatible accessories. Installing a newer driver does not upgrade the dongle to a newer Bluetooth hardware standard.
• Connection troubleshooting: Installing the correct package can help resolve problems caused by a missing, incompatible, or damaged driver, including an adapter appearing as an unknown device.

How to Install

1. Check your Windows version and system type. Confirm whether you are running Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, and whether your installation requires a 32-bit or 64-bit driver. Do not assume an older package will work on a newer Windows release.
2. Confirm the adapter model. Open Device Manager and locate the dongle under Bluetooth, Network adapters, or Other devices. If its name is unclear, check Properties > Details > Hardware Ids and compare those identifiers with the driver package’s supported hardware.
3. Download and extract the matching package. Choose a driver explicitly compatible with your adapter and Windows version. Extract the download first if it comes as a compressed archive.
4. Install the driver. Run the included installer and follow its prompts. If there is no installer, right-click the adapter in Device Manager, select Update driver, then choose Browse my computer for drivers and point Windows to the extracted folder.
5. Restart and test a connection. Restart if prompted, then check that the Broadcom 2046 Bluetooth 2.1 USB UHE Dongle appears without a warning icon. Put a compatible accessory into pairing mode and add it through Windows Bluetooth settings. If pairing fails, check the accessory’s battery, distance, and existing connections before reinstalling the driver.

Common Issues and Fixes

• Install fails or rolls back: Run the Broadcom installer as administrator and use Windows compatibility mode for an older Windows version. If setup still fails, update the driver manually in Device Manager via “Update driver” → “Browse” → “Let me pick” → “Have Disk” and point to the extracted INF.
• Dongle not detected: Try a rear USB 2.0 port directly on the PC, not a hub. In Device Manager, check for an unknown USB device or yellow warning; remove it, unplug the dongle, reboot, then reconnect. Reinstalling the USB host controller driver can also help.
• Version conflicts: Uninstall any existing Broadcom/WIDCOMM Bluetooth suite and remove old Bluetooth devices in Device Manager with “Delete the driver software,” then reboot before installing this driver. Do not mix multiple Bluetooth stacks or keep an onboard Bluetooth adapter enabled during setup.