Bluetooth device errors - Dell computers running Windows 11

This article gives a step by step summary of how to roll back the Bluetooth driver to a previous state to resolve known errors in the latest release

Problem

Some Dells running Windows 11 have trouble connecting to Bluetooth devices. This article provides instructions for reverting Intel Audio Drivers to resolve these audio issues.

Workaround

1. Right click on the Start Menu button and open Device Manager. Expand the “Sound, video, and game controllers” item.

 

2. Double click the “Intel Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth Audio” item and click the Driver tab.
3. Check the driver version for the device. If it is 10.29.0.8719, Dell has confirmed there are issues using this driver with Bluetooth audio devices.

 

4. Click OK or cancel to return to the Device Manager window. Right click the “Intel Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth Audio” item and click Uninstall Device.
5. When prompted, tick the box to remove the driver for the device. Click Uninstall.

 

6. Perform the same action for the “Intel Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio” item.

 

7. Reboot the PC. Open Device Manager again and open the Properties for the “Intel Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth Audio” item.
8. Click the Driver tab. Verify the driver version is earlier than previously installed. Earlier releases of the driver have been more stable and allowed Bluetooth audio devices (such as Apple AirPods) to connect more reliably.