Unplug the device (if USB) or restart your PC fully.
Windows 11 has stricter driver requirements than Windows 10. Broadcom might not have released an official, updated driver for this legacy chip.
Right-click the and select Device Manager .
The is a specific Bluetooth chip manufactured by Broadcom , often found in laptops and desktop Bluetooth adapters from brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus. While this chip is a few years old, many users still rely on it. However, the move to Windows 11 often leaves this older hardware lacking a proper, native driver.
Microsoft often hides older Broadcom drivers inside the optional update menu. Open . Go to Windows Update . Click on Advanced options . Under Additional options, click Optional updates . Expand Driver updates . Look for Broadcom - Bluetooth or BCM2045A0 . Check the box and click Download & install . Step 3: Use Device Manager to Force an Update bcm2045a0 driver windows 11
Q: Can I install an older version of the BCM2045A0 driver on Windows 11? A: It's recommended to install the latest version of the driver for optimal performance and compatibility.
Enter your serial number or model name into their search bar. Look for the or Bluetooth driver category. Download the Broadcom Bluetooth driver package.
Download the driver version compatible with Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit).
The is a generic hardware identifier for a legacy Broadcom Bluetooth chip . On Windows 11, this device typically appears in Device Manager with a yellow warning triangle when the operating system fails to automatically find a compatible driver. Common Associated Devices This driver is most frequently required for: Unplug the device (if USB) or restart your PC fully
If you are stuck in the same boat, here is what worked for me:
Open your web browser, navigate to the official ( ://microsoft.com ), and paste that exact string into the search bar.
Check the box for . Select Windows 10 or Windows 8 from the dropdown menu.
I struggled to get the (Broadcom) Bluetooth adapter working properly on Windows 11. Windows Update didn’t automatically find a working driver, and the device showed a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager. Right-click the and select Device Manager
To help narrow down the fastest fix for your specific setup, please share: Is this a or a desktop computer?
: Moving from Windows 10 to 11 broke the old driver compatibility. Step 1: Run the Windows Troubleshooter Start with the easiest built-in Windows fix. Open Settings (Press Win + I ). Click System , then select Troubleshoot . Click Other troubleshooters . Find Bluetooth and click Run . Restart your computer. Step 2: Install via Windows Update Optional Updates
Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters , then click Run next to Bluetooth.