Resolve Bluetooth connection issues on Dell XPS 15

My Dell XPS 15 and Nexus 5 just don’t get along. Updating to the latest Bluetooth drivers for the Broadcom-enabled embedded chipset resolved this.

Here’s how to update your Broadcom-based Bluetooth drivers in Windows 10:

  1. Visit the Bluetooth section of the Broadcom website
  2. Expand the WIDCOMM® Bluetooth Windows® Software for Windows 10 & 8, 64-Bit section
  3. Click on the Download button to the left of the WIDCOMM® Bluetooth Windows® Software for Windows 10 & 8, 64-Bit header
  4. Open the downloaded ZIP archive (e.g. BTW_12.0.1.940_win8_10_x64.zip)
  5. Run Setup.exe within the Retail Package directory of the ZIP archive
  6. You may be prompted by Windows SmartScreen, click the More info link and the Run Anyway button within this dialog
  7. Click the Upgrade option within the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software dialog
  8. Restart the computer when prompted

That’s it. 🙂

Published by

Michael Visser

I'm a WordPress Plugin developer, UAV & Raspberry Pi enthusiast and general tinkerer. This visser.io domain serves as my development playground for non-WordPress Plugin projects.

3 thoughts on “Resolve Bluetooth connection issues on Dell XPS 15”

  1. Sadly, the Broadcom website has since changed, posting this message:

    Windows drivers for Broadcom Bluetooth devices are no longer posted here. They should be available through Microsoft’s Windows Update service. If drivers were not downloaded automatically by Windows Update, use Device Manager to refresh the driver from Windows Update, or contact the device manufacturer.

    Broadcom supplies Bluetooth hardware and software solutions for various PC, Pocket PC and mobile terminal products. Broadcom does not sell products directly to consumers.

    Windows Update hasn’t helped my crappy music over Bluetooth quality…

  2. Hi Michael, when I try to run Setup.exe within the Retail Package directory of the ZIP archive, I get an compressed folder error prompt saying windows cannot complete the extraction. Any idea how to fix this?

    1. Looks like you have to extract the archive with something like 7-zip instead of just opening it, problem solved!

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