In this article, we will be discussing how to install Bluetooth drivers in Ubuntu 20.04 for devices that only have Windows drivers. This can be a tricky process, but with the right steps, you can get your Bluetooth device up and running in no time.
To install Bluetooth drivers in Ubuntu 20.04 for Windows-only devices, first check if Bluetooth is detected in your system settings. If not, identify the Bluetooth device using the terminal command "lspci -knn | grep Net -A3; lsusb". Check if the kernel has a driver for your device, and if not, search for Linux drivers on the manufacturer’s website. If no Linux drivers are available, as a last resort, you can try using the NDISwrapper tool to use Windows drivers in Ubuntu.
Checking If Bluetooth Is Detected
The first step in this process is to check if your Ubuntu system is detecting the Bluetooth device. To do this, open the Settings on your Ubuntu system and check if Bluetooth is listed. If it is, then your device is being detected, and you can skip to the section on checking kernel drivers. If not, proceed to the next section.
Identifying the Bluetooth Device
To identify your Bluetooth device, you will need to use the terminal. Open the terminal and run the following command:
lspci -knn | grep Net -A3; lsusbThis command does two things. The lspci -knn part lists all PCI devices along with their driver information. The grep Net -A3 part filters this list to show only network devices and the three lines following each match. The lsusb command lists all USB devices.
This command will provide information about the Bluetooth device, including the vendor and product IDs, which are essential for finding the correct drivers.
Checking Kernel Drivers
Next, you need to check if your kernel has a driver for your Bluetooth device. Look for the “Kernel driver in use” line in the output of the previous command. If a driver is already in use, it means that the Bluetooth device is supported by the kernel. In this case, you don’t need to install any additional drivers.
Installing Drivers Manually
If the kernel does not have a driver for your Bluetooth device, you may need to install the drivers manually. Check the manufacturer’s website for Linux drivers compatible with your device. Download the driver package and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install it.
Using Windows Drivers in Ubuntu
As a last resort, if you cannot find Linux drivers for your device, you can try using the NDISwrapper tool. This tool allows you to use Windows network drivers in Linux. However, this is generally not recommended as it may not always be successful, and it depends on the compatibility and support provided by the manufacturer.
To use NDISwrapper, you need to install it first. Open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt-get install ndiswrapperNext, download the Windows driver for your Bluetooth device and extract it. Then, use the following command to install the driver using NDISwrapper:
sudo ndiswrapper -i /path/to/driver.infReplace /path/to/driver.inf with the actual path to the .inf file of the driver.
Finally, run the following command to check if the driver was installed correctly:
ndiswrapper -lIf the driver is installed correctly, you should see a message saying that the driver is installed and the hardware is present.
Conclusion
Installing Bluetooth drivers in Ubuntu 20.04 for Windows-only devices can be a bit complicated, but with the right steps, it is possible. Always remember to check the manufacturer’s website for Linux drivers first before resorting to using Windows drivers. If you have any further questions or need more specific guidance, please provide additional information about the Bluetooth device and the driver you are trying to install.
To check if Bluetooth is detected in Ubuntu 20.04, open the Settings on your Ubuntu system and look for the Bluetooth option. If it is listed, then Bluetooth is being detected.
If your Bluetooth device is not being detected in Ubuntu 20.04, you can try running the command lspci -knn | grep Net -A3; lsusb in the terminal to identify the Bluetooth device. If it is still not detected, you may need to install the drivers manually or use the NDISwrapper tool.
To identify your Bluetooth device in Ubuntu 20.04, open the terminal and run the command lspci -knn | grep Net -A3; lsusb. This command will provide information about the Bluetooth device, including the vendor and product IDs.
To check if your kernel has a driver for your Bluetooth device, look for the "Kernel driver in use" line in the output of the command lspci -knn | grep Net -A3; lsusb. If a driver is already in use, it means that the Bluetooth device is supported by the kernel.
If the kernel does not have a driver for your Bluetooth device, you may need to install the drivers manually. Check the manufacturer’s website for Linux drivers compatible with your device and follow their instructions to install them.
As a last resort, you can try using the NDISwrapper tool to use Windows network drivers in Ubuntu 20.04. However, this is generally not recommended as it may not always be successful and depends on compatibility and support from the manufacturer.
To install NDISwrapper in Ubuntu 20.04, open a terminal and run the command sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper. This will install the NDISwrapper tool on your system.
To install a Windows driver using NDISwrapper in Ubuntu 20.04, download the Windows driver for your Bluetooth device and extract it. Then, use the command sudo ndiswrapper -i /path/to/driver.inf to install the driver, replacing /path/to/driver.inf with the actual path to the .inf file of the driver.
To check if the driver was installed correctly using NDISwrapper in Ubuntu 20.04, run the command ndiswrapper -l in the terminal. If the driver is installed correctly, you should see a message saying that the driver is installed and the hardware is present.
