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Plugable USB 2.0 Bluetooth® Adapter

$13.95 USD

SKU: USB-BT4LE
Amazon Rating : (11502 Reviews)

Features

Start using Bluetooth—Adds Bluetooth to your Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 PC that doesn't already have it.
Connect your Devices—Supports wireless Bluetooth headphones, speakers, headsets, keyboards, mice, phones, and more!
Tiny Design—This mini USB dongle can stay plugged in while you are on the move. This adapter is intended only for computers that do not already have built-in Bluetooth.
Compatibility—Not usable in car stereos, TVs, or Mac computers. Not recommended for employer-provided computers. Does not add Bluetooth 4.0 support to Windows 7. Special drivers (provided) are needed in Windows 7 for Bose QC35 and some other recent devices
2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—Every Plugable product, including this USB Bluetooth adapter, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you ever have questions, contact our North American-based team - even before purchase

FOR BEST RESULTS, USE USB 2.0 PORTS LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF YOUR PC

WINDOWS ONLY SUPPORTS ONE BLUETOOTH ADAPTER AT A TIME

Bluetooth Standard

Bluetooth 5 Bluetooth 4.0

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Add Bluetooth Technology to Your PC

The Plugable Bluetooth adapter adds the ability to connect Bluetooth devices to Windows PCs. This dual-mode adapter connects devices using Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy*.

Works with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7*, 8.x, 10, and 11.

Connect

Connect devices featuring Bluetooth technology that can be connected to your computer through the Plugable Bluetooth adapter include wireless Bluetooth headphones*, Bluetooth speakers*, Bluetooth mice*, Bluetooth keyboards*, Bluetooth game controllers*, and much more.

Using Steam on a Windows PC simplifies the use of popular controllers like the PlayStation DualShock 4, PlayStation DualSense, and Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Windows 10 and 11 have native support for Xbox Wireless Controllers featuring Bluetooth while using this adapter.

Range

As a certified Bluetooth Class 2 device, the Plugable Bluetooth adapter has been validated by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) to connect up to 32 feet (10 meters) away.

Compact and Sturdy

The adapter's compact size and revised plastic casing means you can leave it in your laptop when you are on the go.

* See the compatibility tab and the FAQ tab on this page for details regarding device compatibility.

Designed For

The Plugable Bluetooth adapter is designed to connect your Windows PC with Bluetooth keyboards, mice, smartphones, headsets, speakers, gamepads, and more.

Bluetooth Profile Support

Many devices require support for multiple profile to fully pair and function. Software issues are the responsibility of:

Broadcom for WIDCOMM software
Microsoft for the Windows Bluetooth stack
The respective Bluetooth open source projects for Linux issues. Linux support for Bluetooth is frequently updated and often has bugs with particular profiles (especially audio-related profiles). Because of these issues, we don't consider Linux to be supported at this time.

See the compatibility tab on this page for details regarding profile support on various operating systems as well as device compatibility.

To get the maximum range with the Plugable Bluetooth adapter, you should plug the adapter into the front of your PC tower and avoid having obstructions that break line-of-sight between your Bluetooth device and the Bluetooth adapter.

In The Box

Item and Quantity	Item Notes
1x USB 2.0 Bluetooth Adapter
1x Mini CD-ROM Driver Disk
1x Quick Install Guide

Power

Port	Placement	Power Host / Device	Connection Type	Notes	Voltage	Amperage	Wattage
USB-A to Host	Cable End	Device			5.0V	160mA	0.8W

Connection To Host

Port	Placement	Version and Link Rate	Features
1x USB-A	Bottom	USB 2.0 (480Mbps)

Bluetooth

Bluetooth Specification	Supported Profiles	Notable Unsupported Profiles	Bluetooth Class and Range	Chipset
Bluetooth 4.0	See Profile Compatibility Table	Bluetooth Low Energy Peripheral Role HID Proxy Support	Class 2 10m/32ft

Physical Stats

Item	Size (H x W x D) or Length	Weight	SKU or Part Number
Bluetooth Dongle	0.5 x 1.5 x 2 centimeters 0.2 x 0.6 x 0.8 inches		USB-BT4LE

Host Compatibility

Device/Operating System	Works as a Host for the Plugable Bluetooth Adapter?	Can Connect to a Host Using the Adapter?
Windows 11 PC		*
Windows 10 PC		*
Windows 8.x PC		*
Windows 7 PC		*
Windows Server		*
ARM-based Windows devices		*
Linux PC		*
Synology NAS	Audio only—refer to Synology's Website
QNAP NAS	Audio only—refer to QNAP's Website
Mac		*
iOS/iPadOS		*
Android		*
Chromebooks
Chrome OS
Xbox Consoles
PlayStation Consoles
Nintendo Consoles
Car Dashboard Audio Decks
Televisions
Other non-PC Devices		**

* While it is possible to connect a smartphone, or a PC, via Bluetooth to a PC that is using the Plugable Bluetooth adapter, there are some things to consider. For the most part, there are not many useful features when connecting a phone to a PC outside of data transfers. However, even for data transfers, there are much better ways to exchange data between devices. Bluetooth, without an optional and rarely used feature to work in tandem with Wi-Fi, has a theoretical maximum throughput of 3Mbps, with a practical performance closer to 1.5Mbps (192KB/s). At this rate, it would take over seven minutes to transfer eight 10MB photos. Wi-Fi and USB are much better options to exchange data between hosts.

** See the next table for details.

Specific Device Compatibility

Please note that the Linux compatibility statements here will almost certainly apply to any Bluetooth adapter connected to a Linux PC, not just the Plugable Bluetooth adapter. This is because if Linux supports the driver for a Bluetooth adapter (the driver for the Plugable Bluetooth adapter is built into modern Linux kernels), the device and Bluetooth profile compatibility is still dependent on BlueZ and Pulseaudio which handle data and audio communicated via Bluetooth.There are currently ongoing issues with the BlueZ project, particularly surrounding audio support. Because of these issues, we currently consider Linux incompatible with the adapter.

Device	Works on Windows	Works on Linux (Linux is not compatible at this time)
Headphones w/Bluetooth Low Energy	Windows 7—Requires the 6.5.0.2000 Driver Windows 8.x—Use the 12.0.1.940 driver for best compatibility Windows 10 or 11—Use the driver that installs via Windows Update (check optional updates)	Dependent on Linux open source projects
Headset Microphones	Supported	Dependent on Linux open source projects
Monoprice 8323 Headphones	Unsupported	Dependent on Linux open source projects
Mice and Keyboards	See this article for details	See this article for details
Fitness Trackers	Check manufacturer's site for Windows compatibility	Check manufacturer's site for Linux compatibility
Windows Mixed Reality	Windows 10 and 11 only See Microsoft's documentation for details	Unsupported
Bluetooth Xbox One Controller Xbox Elite Controller Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller	One Controller on Windows 10 and 11 only See Microsoft's documentation for details	Unsupported See linked article for details
Sixaxis Controller DualShock 3 Controller	Supported via Steam. Other methods available, but not recommended. Micro USB Cable Required for Pairing. See linked article for details	Unsupported See linked article for details
DualShock 4 Controller DualSense Controller	Supported via Steam. Other methods available, but not recommended. See linked article for details	Unsupported See linked article for details
JoyCons Nintendo Switch Pro Controller	Supported via Steam. Other methods available, but not recommended. See linked article for details	Unsupported See linked article for details
8BitDo Bluetooth Controllers (and GBros Wireless Adapter)	On Windows 10, most 8BitDo Bluetooth controllers function as an Xbox Wireless Controller. DirectInput operation modes are compatible with Steam	Unsupported See linked article for details
Apple Keyboards, Mice, and Trackpads	Likely Works See linked article for details	Likely Works See linked article for details
Other Devices	Check with device maker for OS compatibility	Check with device maker for OS compatibility

Device Compatibility

In an era of devices that offer so much simplicity, Bluetooth wireless technology blurs the line between complexity and simplicity in ways that many users don’t expect.

Bluetooth once served a singular purpose of providing the functionality of a serial cable over a wireless connection, but has since evolved into so much more. How can the same technology that wirelessly communicates audio also be the technology that turns a lamp on and off? The answer is Bluetooth profiles.

To oversimplify a Bluetooth profile, it can be described as an accepted way of using Bluetooth technology to communicate data of a particular type. There are profiles for audio communication, profiles to transmit certain types of information like heart rate and blood pressure, as well as profiles to share images and video.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s (Bluetooth SIG) official explanation of Bluetooth Profiles is (in all its confusing glory):

" Profiles are definitions of possible applications and specify general behaviors that Bluetooth® enabled devices use to communicate with other Bluetooth devices. Profiles build on the Bluetooth standard to more clearly define what kind of data a Bluetooth module is transmitting. The device’s application determines which profiles it must support, from hands-free capabilities to heart rate sensors to alerts and more.

For two Bluetooth devices to be compatible, they must support the same profiles. And while profiles generally describe the same use case behaviors, they are different for Bluetooth BR/EDR and LE implementations. Compatibility between BR/EDR and LE implementations requires a dual-mode controller on at least one device for interoperability. For BR/EDR, a wide range of adopted Bluetooth profiles describe many different common types of applications or use cases for devices. For Bluetooth LE, developers have the option of using a comprehensive set of adopted profiles, or use the Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) to create new profiles. This helps support innovative new applications that maintain interoperability with other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth profiles typically contain information such as dependencies on other profiles and suggested user interface formats. For BR/EDR, the profile will also specify the particular options and parameters at each layer of the Bluetooth protocol stack used to perform its task. This may include, if appropriate, an outline of the required service record."

There are clearly a lot of details behind a Bluetooth profile, but for users trying to make use of a particular device, the most important thing is whether or not a profile is supported, and whether or not their device is going to work how they want it to.

In this article we will explore the profiles that are supported by the Plugable USB-BT4LE Bluetooth adapter based on Windows’ built-in support, support added by Broadcom’s WIDCOMM software, and the BlueZ software used in Linux. In addition to this, we’ll offer some explanation about Bluetooth errors such as “Driver Not Found”, and what potential issues you might encounter with profiles.

Profile Compatibility Sheet Key

In an effort to provide more information regarding Bluetooth profiles, we’ve created an in-depth spreadsheet to better detail which profiles are supported in which operating systems.

The data in this sheet is not based on testing conducted by Plugable, but is instead based on software documentation from various organizations, profile definitions that are visible in source code and driver files, as well as Bluetooth SIG qualification summaries.

Color Key for Spreadsheet Data

Compatibility with the Latest Profile Version

Compatibility with a Version of the Profile

Conflicting Information, Known Issues, or Uncertainty

Not Compatible

Deprecated and/or Unused

As you can see from the chart, compatibility with certain Bluetooth profiles varies wildly from one Windows version to the next, as well as between Windows and Linux.

These discrepancies can prove especially challenging in situations where a device is using a profile that depends on other profiles to function. A partial lack of profile support can make the difference between a device working, or not working.

What You May See if a Profile Is Missing

On Windows, if a profile is missing, usually the device will still complete the pairing process. Once pairing is completed, Windows will attempt to assign driver functions to the profile identifiers that it detects. Errors like "Driver Not Found" or "Error Installing Driver" are a typical behavior from Windows when profiles are missing.

It is important to note though, that this is not the whole story with driver errors with regards to Bluetooth. A very common issue with Bluetooth profile driver install errors, is the presence of other Bluetooth drivers for a different adapter. Since Bluetooth relies on multiple software components, the driver for a profile may not install if it is already registered to operate with another set of Bluetooth drivers. If you need help with this on your Plugable Bluetooth adapter, please feel free to contact us at support@plugable.com for assistance. We’re happy to help!

Other Aspects of Bluetooth Profiles to Be Mindful Of

When it comes to audio, there are usually a lot of profiles involved to make everything work. Usually these devices have broad support from a profile perspective, but may also include some specialized technology like aptX support (which is now included as part of Windows 10), which is not a profile but rather a coding method to send higher quality audio to devices that support it. You can learn more in-depth information about Bluetooth profiles and codecs for Bluetooth in our article "Understanding Bluetooth® Wireless Audio".

With some profiles, like those used for audio, only one device can use the profile at a time. For example, you wouldn’t be able to have two pairs of headphones use the A2DP profile to listen to music from the same device. Manufacturers like Bose that have a proprietary Bluetooth ‘Music Share’ feature allowing two sets of headphones to listen to the same source aren’t technically both connected to the same source. Instead, one of the headphones acts as a relay to pass the audio to the next pair of headphones. This is also the case with pairs of wireless Bluetooth speakers designed to operate in stereo. One of the speakers connects via Bluetooth while the other connects directly to the other speaker.

For Bluetooth Low Energy, use cases are typically more specialized and don’t operate in the same generalized way that Bluetooth Classic profiles do currently. For example, FitBit requires using a specialized Windows 10 (UWP) application to make use of data from their devices, rather than Windows having a default interface to display information provided by FitBit devices

A Note About WIDCOMM

While there was a WIDCOMM software available for Windows 10, it has since become deprecated as Windows 10 has undergone several major upgrades since it was initially launched. If you are trying to use a profile that is listed as "Supported (WIDCOMM)" for Windows 10, you may need to check if Windows 10 updates have incorporated support for that profile, otherwise they are not supported in current versions of Windows 10.

Where to Learn More About Bluetooth Profiles and What They Do

Wikipedia has a great entry on Bluetooth profiles and a general synopsis of what they do . The Bluetooth Special Interest Group’s webpage on adopted Bluetooth profiles includes more in-depth technical information on profiles as well.

As always, we’re here to help with Bluetooth questions related to your Plugable products. We’re happy to answer customer questions through our support@plugable.com e-mail address.

Open Sheet in New Tab

Before You Begin

Before installing and configuring your Plugable Bluetooth adapter. It is recommended to check if your computer has any configuration issues that may cause problems.

Please review the following items.

Check if your computer has a built-in Bluetooth adapter
Check if your PC belongs to a Windows Active Directory domain, this is common if you are using an employer-provided computer
- If your computer is joined to a Windows Active Directory domain, please get in touch with your IT team and provide them with this link

Getting Started on Windows

Follow the steps below to install the Plugable Bluetooth adapter on your Windows PC.

Windows 10/11

Plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC
- For best results, use a USB 2.0 port at the front of your PC
The drivers should install through Windows Update
- If you get an error, please try these steps for installation. If there are still issues, please contact us so we can help, and avoid manually installing other drivers
Follow our pairing guide to get your device connected

Windows 8.x

Temporarily disable your computer's antivirus/security software
- The driver package is known to have silent installation failures due to security software
Plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC
- For best results, use a USB 2.0 port at the front of your PC
Install the appropriate driver for the adapter from our driver page
- If you are on a domain, the install must be performed using the default account named 'Administrator' either from the local machine, or the domain. By default, Windows Group Policy will cause silent install failures with manually-created administrator accounts
Follow our pairing guide to get your device connected

Windows 7

Temporarily disable your computer's antivirus/security software
- The driver package is known to have silent installation failures due to security software
Plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC
- For best results, use a USB 2.0 port at the front of your PC
Install the appropriate driver for the adapter from our driver page
- If you are on a domain, the install must be performed using the default account named 'Administrator' either from the local machine, or the domain. By default, Windows Group Policy will cause silent install failures with manually-created administrator accounts
Follow our pairing guide to get your device connected

Getting Started on Linux

The drivers for the Plugable Bluetooth adapter are built into the Linux kernel.

Plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC
- For best results, use a USB 2.0 port at the front of your PC
Follow our pairing guide to get your device connected

Challenges with Bluetooth connectivity in Linux primarily have to do with the stability and configuration of the BlueZ and Pulseaudio open source projects.

Bluetooth audio, including microphone input. As well as game controllers. Are the devices that most commonly have problems on Linux.

Unlike Windows, it is possible to have more than one Bluetooth adapter connected. However, it can be difficult to select which adapter you're making connections through. Typically it is best to use 'Bluetooth Manager' (package name blueman) to choose which adapter you're pairing a device with.

Problems?

Most issues with the adapter stem from having conflicting drivers, incorrect drivers, or an existing Bluetooth adapter.

Please evaluate our extensive library of troubleshooting information in the FAQ tab of this product page.

If you need further assistance, please reach out to us at support@plugable.com

Include the order number from your place of purchase
Provide the make and model of any Bluetooth devices you're having problems connecting to your PC via Bluetooth
Attach the file generated by our diagnostic software, PlugDebug

Do not use the 12.0.1.940 driver on Windows 10! Updates to Windows 10, made in 2020, break compatibility with this driver! If Windows 10 does not automatically install the driver, please try these instructions .

Platform	Important Notes	Date	Version and Download
Windows 10 and 11	If you are having problems getting the Plugable Bluetooth adapter working in Windows 10. Please go through the steps in this Knowledge Base article. You may have to expand the Optional Updates section of Windows Update to find the driver for installation.		12.0.1.750 (Auto install through Windows Update)
Windows 8.1 (64-bit)		2016	12.0.1.940
Windows 8.1 (32-bit)		2016	12.0.1.940
Windows 8			12.0.0.9980
Windows 7 and Vista			6.5.0.2000
Windows XP			5.6.0.9110
Kernel 3.2 and Above	Other components of Linux may need to be updated. Please review the information in this Knowledge Base article for more info.		Built-in Drivers

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