14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 May 2019 Update, or version 1903, is available for the first wave of devices from Windows Update, but at the same time, anyone can install it from the Media Creation Tool as well.
But as every Windows 10 feature update, version 1903 comes with several known bugs, despite the release itself being tested thoroughly in the Windows Insider program.
One of these bugs concerns Bluetooth devices, which might no longer work as expected after installing Windows 10 May 2019 Update.
As Microsoft itself explains, some devices might no longer show up when trying to pair or fail to connect altogether in Windows 10 version 1903 and Windows Server, version 1903.
Basically, you install Windows 10 May 2019 Update on your device and then at some point you try to pair a Bluetooth device using the typical process that can be launched from the Settings app. However, searching for Bluetooth devices might not return any results because of this issue, or if it does and you eventually manage to set them up, you can’t connect to begin using them.
This is a known bug in the May update, Microsoft explains, and according to the company, Realtek and Qualcomm Bluetooth radios are the ones impacted right now.
“Microsoft has identified compatibility issues with some driver versions for Bluetooth radios made by Realtek and Qualcomm,” the company briefly says.
A workaround already exists, but in the meantime, Microsoft says it has set an upgrade block for these devices in order to make sure the issue doesn’t become widespread. In other words, if your device is prone to the Bluetooth bug, it won’t be offered the May 2019 Update on Windows Update to prevent the glitch.
“To safeguard your update experience, we have applied a compatibility hold on devices with affected driver versions for Realtek or Qualcomm Bluetooth radios from being offered Windows 10, version 1903 or Windows Server, version 1903 until the driver has been updated,” Microsoft says.
The workaround is pretty simple and it comes down to installing the latest drivers.
The easiest way to check if newer updates for your Bluetooth radio are available is to head over to the official website of your manufacturer or check out the Softpedia drivers section here.
For the Qualcomm and Realtek drivers, you need to be running the following version to be able to run Windows 10 May 2019 Update without any issue:
| Qualcomm drivers – version 10.0.1.11 and newer |
| Realtek drivers – version 1.5.1011.0 and newer |
Meanwhile, while the Windows 10 May 2019 Update is blocked on Windows Update, users can head over to the Media Creation Tool to skip the restriction and install the new release anyway.
Media Creation Tool is an application released by Microsoft that allows users to create installation media for Windows 10 feature updates, but it can also be used to upgrade local PCs. Because it automates the full process, it allows users to bypass restrictions on Windows Update and install new Windows 10 versions without waiting for the automatic rollout.
However, Microsoft says users shouldn’t turn to this method because they could eventually hit the aforementioned bug anyway and thus affect the stability of Windows 10.
“Until an updated driver has been installed, we recommend you do not attempt to manually update using the Update now button or the Media Creation Tool,” Microsoft says.
New updates for Windows 10 are expected in the next weeks, with further cumulative updates due on June 11.