A Bluetooth driver allows for your PC or other mobile device to communicate with your Bluetooth set. The latest Bluetooth driver will ensure that all functions work on both your Bluetooth and on your computer.

Bluetooth driver pricing and costs involves looking at the amount you will need to pay in order to have this update installed on your computer. Also, you will need to reinstall a driver if you change hardware, get a newer model of the device or use a different device with the Bluetooth.

1. Look at the drivers available for your Bluetooth. Before you check out costs of the driver, see what you will need first.

2. Purchase a Bluetooth driver. You can buy a software disc or download the driver directly online onto your computer.

3. Consider freeware for your Bluetooth driver. Many sites, including top Bluetooth manufacturers, offer free downloads of Bluetooth drivers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy a headset along with Bluetooth driver

In most cases, your Bluetooth driver will come standard with your Bluetooth headset purchase. You will find a big range of prices when you start to price out the headset and software package. Things like style, operating range, talk time and operating controls will affect the price. Plantronics and Motorola headsets and driver software will cost the user about $50.

I recommend: Accessory Highway has a large selection of Bluetooth headsets with included driver software from brands like Motorola, BlueAnt, Nokia and Jabra. Higher cost models will include features, like voice direction, background noise reduction and voice caller ID. Cheaper models will not have these features and may only provide six to eight hours of talk time. Purchase new Plantronics Bluetooth headsets with driver software from Newegg.com for less than $20. If you select a used version, check to make sure that the driver software is still included.

Purchase a Bluetooth driver separately

If you already own a Bluetooth headset, then you will want to buy the driver separately. You will likely purchase a Bluetooth driver along with a USB adapter to use with your PC. You can find these products for less than $100 and manufactured by top brands like Motorola.

I recommend: WPS Antennas retails the Motorola Mobile PhoneTools driver software and USB adapter for $80. RadarSync has the full version of the Bluetooth LAN Access Server Driver available.

Get a free Bluetooth driver

If you don't want to pay money for a Bluetooth driver, you can look for free versions online. Many manufacturers as well as file sharing sites will offer a download of the latest driver at no cost to you.

I recommend: Download A to Z has numerous links to different freeware Bluetooth driver downloads, including ones available from popular manufacturers, like Belkin. Find your model from the list and select the link to start the free download. You can download free Bluetooth drivers from NoDevice.com as well as run a scan in order to check for driver errors.

Many Bluetooth accessories need a corresponding Bluetooth driver installed onto a computer or smart phone for the accessory to work properly. These drivers usually come with the accessory.

In order to meet the needs of any customer, you should keep an extra copy of the Bluetooth driver on hand for every Bluetooth accessory you sell. Keep these suggestions in mind when you are stocking Bluetooth drivers:

1. Accommodate customers who want to keep the same Bluetooth driver that is on their device but, need to fix it.

2. Show customers how to remove the old Bluetooth driver from their device in order to install a new one.

3. Appeal to customers who want to update the Bluetooth driver on their device.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Help customers fix the Bluetooth driver on their device

If the Bluetooth driver on a computer or other device has a flaw or needs a patch, it may be possible to fix it. By fixing it, your customer can keep the driver and the programs he has without having to deal with a malfunctioning or slow program.

I recommend: You can find Bluetooth driver downloads and solutions for common Bluetooth driver problems at QuickPCSolutions. This company guarantees that all programs on the website are free of bugs and viruses. You can find Bluetooth driver downloads at PCDriversUpdates.com. This company has a program that will find and fix any flaws in a Bluetooth driver. Information about flaws is given during and after the download and scan.

Provide customers with information about how to remove an old Bluetooth driver

Before your customers download a new Bluetooth driver, they have to remove the old driver. The process for doing this varies with every computer. Because of this, you may need to provide your customers with links to instructions on how to remove the old driver. If you service computers, these instructions can help you remove old driver.

I recommend: Serial10.com has step by step instructions on how to delete the old Bluetooth driver from various operating systems. BostonPocketPC has detailed information, including pictures, about how to remove an old Bluetooth driver. This website is updated often with new information and procedures.

Offer free Bluetooth driver downloads and updates for your customers

Up to date drivers can improve the performance of a computer. Providing your customers with free Bluetooth drivers and driver updates will show your customers that you care about their satisfaction, even after the sale.

I recommend: Softpedia.com has free Bluetooth driver downloads for non-commercial use. You can provide your customers with the link to this download or you can have them bring their computer to you to download it for them. Broadcom is a Bluetooth driver provider. This company has a download that will work with almost any computer with a Windows 98 or newer operating system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep a detailed Bluetooth driver list available to help customers find a Bluetooth driver that will work with their operating system.

Bluetooth driver advice and ratings are useful for those who provide support to customers with Bluetooth devices or for Bluetooth owners. Bluetooth technology uses short range communication to connect devices without using wires. It has many uses, especially in cellular phone and radio communication.

Most Bluetooth devices need a driver to work on a mobile phone or computer. Installing and troubleshooting the driver is usually simple, but due to its universal technology, you may encounter problems and need advice. For instance, it can be difficult to remove an old driver and replace it with the correct one, or find the driver that is needed. To get Bluetooth driver support for these types of issues or general advice about using Bluetooth drivers:

1. Find information about Bluetooth driver classes;

2. Look for assistance with driver downloads and installs;

3. Seek advice about uninstalling and troubleshooting Bluetooth drivers;

4. Use forums to get quick answers and advice about Bluetooth.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about Bluetooth driver class ratings

The operating range of a Bluetooth device is determined by its class rating. Find out if devices meet the requirements for range before installing them or their drivers.

I recommend: Get information about classes and their operating distances from Bluetooth. For more information about Bluetooth classes, check out Palowireless.

Download Bluetooth drivers and software

Drivers are needed for Bluetooth devices to work on a computer or portable device. Look for advice from professionals instead of struggling to find the right driver. Some driver providers offer tools to correctly identify the driver that is required.

I recommend: Quick PC Solutions provides a tool that will update all Bluetooth drivers. PCDriversUpdates also provides a driver update tool, as well as advice about drivers. Broadcom offers Bluetooth software, drivers and support.

Get advice about Bluetooth drivers

Drivers are usually provided with Bluetooth devices. At times, it's better to remove these drivers and use the Windows Bluetooth stack. Find out more about OEM drivers and how to remove them.

I recommend: Serialio.com provides instructions for removing several OEM Bluetooth drivers. MobilitySite from LeckMedia offers advice on how to remove Toshiba Bluetooth drivers. Find information about Windows Bluetooth drivers from Microsoft. The Wiimote Project provides detailed information about various Bluetooth driver stacks.

Find Bluetooth driver advice and ratings at forums

There are many online forums where members discuss Bluetooth technology. These can be a great tool when you're struggling to solve a problem or get advice. Forum members are usually professionals or enthusiasts who are happy to provide fast answers.

I recommend: Get advice specific to Motorola Bluetooth drivers at CellPhoneForums from Sugarman Studios. Mobiledia and DiscussWireless offer forums dedicated to many Bluetooth devices and issues.

Bluetooth drivers can help you synchronize your wireless Bluetooth device and your mobile phone with your laptop, PC or Mac. These Bluetooth drivers have the information necessary to connect your Bluetooth information to your computer, but it also consistently sends and receives valuable information via your Bluetooth device. Bluetooth drivers also provide an important, and easy way to update your Bluetooth device as needed. Consider the following Bluetooth driver key terms to help you better understand how it works.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

USB

The USB port, also known as the Universal Serial Bus port is the port where you will synchronize your computer and your Bluetooth. It's usually located on the front of a PC tower or on the side or back of a laptop.

I recommend: Read about USB on the Indiana University, University Information Technology Services Knowledge Base website.

Security

Because Bluetooth is a wireless transmission of data, some people have concern about security. However, you can use your Bluetooth driver to set the security level you need.

I recommend: Security with your Bluetooth is discussed in detail at the Bluetooth SIG website.

Automatic Bluetooth driver updates

When you install your Bluetooth driver on your computer, you need to maintain it. Automatic Bluetooth driver updates automatically install the information you need so you can continue the communication between your computer and your Bluetooth.

I recommend: DriverFixer.com details information about automatic Bluetooth driver updates.

Bluetooth software

Your Bluetooth driver works with software to help you synchronize your computer with your Bluetooth and mobile device. Most Bluetooth software options are compatible with a majority of the Bluetooth devices on the market, but it's best to make sure it's compatible with your particular device before you download the software.

I recommend: Visit palowireless.com for details about the most popular types of Bluetooth software and how they work.

System requirements

When installing a Bluetooth driver on your computer, you need to make sure your system can handle it. All driver information comes with the system requirements necessary for each computer to adequately run the driver information and all of its features.

I recommend: Software for Bluetooth Marketing explains system requirements for Bluetooth drivers.

Bluetooth icon

To identify the Bluetooth driver on your computer, and to see if it's currently running, you'll need to know what the Bluetooth icon looks like. This icon is consistent over all devices so you always know what to look for.

I recommend: View a picture of the Bluetooth icon at Iconspedia.com.