Menu
If you are rocking an older laptop or desktop that houses the classic Ralink RT3290 wireless adapter, you might have hit a snag after upgrading to Windows 11. While the Wi-Fi usually works fine, the Bluetooth functionality often vanishes, leaving you with a generic "Bluetooth Device" error in Device Manager or an exclamation mark next to the hardware.
Don't worry—you don't need to throw away your Bluetooth headphones or buy a new laptop just yet. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process to get the Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth driver working on Windows 11.
Because the RT3290 driver is unsigned for Windows 11, you must disable driver signature enforcement temporarily or permanently (not recommended for security). Here is the safe way:
If the manual method feels intimidating, try running the original installer in compatibility mode:
Note: Many users report that the compatibility mode installer fails on Windows 11 22H2 and later. If it fails, fall back to the manual method described in Part 3.
How do you know this article applies to you? Look for these signs:
If these symptoms match, read on.
The Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth driver on Windows 11 is not officially supported, but with the forced installation of the Windows 8.1 driver via Device Manager’s "Have Disk" method, combined with temporary driver signature enforcement disabling, you can restore Bluetooth functionality. However, performance will be suboptimal compared to modern standards.
Use this guide as a reference to breathe one more year of life into your legacy hardware, but plan for an upgrade. As of 2025-2026, Windows 11 updates may eventually break compatibility beyond repair. When that happens, replacing the hardware or using an external dongle is the only permanent solution.
FAQ
Q: Will Ralink ever release a Windows 11 driver?
A: No. Ralink was acquired by MediaTek, and the RT3290 is considered obsolete.
Q: I see "Code 52" – This driver is unsigned.
A: You must disable driver signature enforcement as shown in Part 5.
Q: Wi-Fi works but Bluetooth doesn't. Is my chip dead?
A: Unlikely. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are separate logical devices. This is almost always a driver issue. Ralink Rt3290 Bluetooth Driver Windows 11
Q: Can I use the Windows 10 driver?
A: The same Windows 8.1 driver works on Windows 10 and 11. There is no separate Windows 10 driver.
Q: After installing, my Bluetooth device pairs but doesn't connect.
A: Remove the device, restart Bluetooth service (services.msc), and re-pair. If persistent, the driver’s handshake is failing—try an older driver version like 1.0.30.0.
Last updated: May 2026. Tested on Windows 11 Pro 23H2 and 24H2 with HP Pavilion G6 and ASUS K55A laptops.
Ralink RT3290 is a legacy combo card (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth) popular in older HP laptops (circa 2013). While Windows 11 does not natively support this hardware, it is often possible to get the Bluetooth functionality working, although it requires manual intervention, as confirmed by users in HP Support Community and Microsoft Q&A forums. Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth on Windows 11
Performance: Once installed, it works, but it is often reported as "flaky" or "unstable" by users, with issues including disappearing from Device Manager or failing to pair.
Driver Availability: The card was designed for Windows 7/8/10, so there are no official MediaTek drivers for Windows 11.
Installation Difficulty: High. It usually requires downloading legacy drivers (SP70570, SP61613) from HP's website and manually installing them via Device Manager, or using community-provided drivers. Key Observations
WiFi vs. Bluetooth: Often, the WiFi portion works automatically upon updating to Windows 11, while the Bluetooth component (which requires a specific driver from MediaTek) does not.
Most Stable Driver: The SP70570 or SP61613 HP SoftPaqs are the most commonly successful drivers for enabling Bluetooth in Windows 11. Troubleshooting Steps
Check BIOS: Enable Bluetooth in the BIOS and ensure it is not disabled.
Manually Install Drivers: Download older Ralink Bluetooth driver files and use the "Have Disk" option in Device Manager to force installation, as described by users in this HP Support forum and this Microsoft Q&A thread.
Use External Adapter: If internal drivers fail, a USB Bluetooth dongle is recommended, as troubleshooting this chipset can be time-consuming. If you are rocking an older laptop or
Here’s a comprehensive guide to getting the Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth driver working on Windows 11.
This is a frequent error with
The Ralink RT3290 is a legacy wireless and Bluetooth combo chip. Since MediaTek (the current owner of Ralink) does not provide a dedicated Windows 11 driver for this specific older model, you often need to use the Windows 10 version or rely on Windows Update to find a compatible generic driver. How to Install the Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth Driver Use Windows Update
Windows 11 can often find a functional driver automatically. Settings > Windows Update Advanced options > Optional updates
Look for "Mediatek - Bluetooth" or "Ralink" under driver updates and select install. Install via Device Manager (Manual)
If the driver is missing or showing an error (Yellow Triangle): Right-click the button and select Device Manager
section. If you see "Generic Bluetooth Adapter" or "Ralink Bluetooth," right-click it and select Update driver Browse my computer for drivers Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer
Uncheck "Show compatible hardware" to see a full list of Ralink/Mediatek drivers if the standard ones fail. Run the Compatibility Troubleshooter If you have a downloaded Windows 10 driver (.exe file): Right-click the installer and select Properties Compatibility Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 10 and run the installer as an administrator. Microsoft Support Troubleshooting Common Issues Bluetooth Disappeared:
If the Ralink card doesn't show up at all, ensure "Bluetooth Support Service" is running. Press services.msc , find the service, and set its Startup Type to Driver Conflicts: If the driver is installed but not working, try the Microsoft Get Help app to run automated diagnostics. Hardware Limitations:
Because the RT3290 is quite old, it may struggle with modern Bluetooth 5.0+ features or "Modern Standby" in Windows 11. If connection drops persist, a cheap USB Bluetooth dongle is often a more stable long-term solution. Microsoft Support Are you seeing a specific error code (like Code 10 or Code 43) in your Device Manager right now? Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows - Microsoft Support
There is no official Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth driver specifically developed for Windows 11. The manufacturer, MediaTek, ceased official support for this legacy card years ago.
However, you may be able to restore functionality by using legacy drivers or manual workarounds. Available Driver Workarounds Note: Many users report that the compatibility mode
Since no native Windows 11 driver exists, users often find success using the last known stable versions designed for Windows 8 or Windows 10: Ralink RT-3290 Bluetooth not working - HP Support Community
Ralink RT3290 Bluetooth adapter is a legacy component that is not officially supported by MediaTek or major manufacturers like HP for Windows 11
. Because official drivers have not been updated for nearly a decade, users often face issues where the device fails to pair or completely disappears from Device Manager. Linux Mint Status and Compatibility Official Support:
Discontinued. MediaTek/Ralink does not provide direct end-user support or Windows 11-specific drivers for this legacy product. Driver Availability:
The most recent compatible driver was released for Windows 8.1/10 around 2015. The "Yellow Triangle" Issue:
Modern Windows 11 updates often "ban" or disable these older drivers due to security or architectural incompatibilities, resulting in a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager. HP Support Community Installation & Workarounds
While not officially supported, some users have found success with these methods: Manual Driver Installation:
Download the last known Windows 10 driver (e.g., version 11.0.761.0) from the HP FTP site Run the installer in Compatibility Mode for Windows 8 or 10. Device Manager "Previous Driver" Method:
Some users report functionality by right-clicking the device in Device Manager and selecting
"Update Driver" > "Browse my computer for drivers" > "Let me pick from a list" and choosing an older version like 5.0.37.0. The "Ubuntu Trick":
If the Bluetooth is "stuck" in an off state, booting into a live Ubuntu USB environment and toggling Bluetooth to "On" can sometimes re-enable it for Windows. HP Support Community Recommended Long-Term Solutions
Since the RT3290 is outdated (supporting only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0/4.0), persistent issues are common. Solved: Ralink RT-3290 Bluetooth not working - 9195330