Upgrading Inspiron 15 3531 wifi module to combo with Bluetooth

Hi,

It's not a hardware limitation as that model came with optional bluetooth.  I looked through the documentation on the 3521 BIOS and I don't see that it has an option to turn on/off wireless.   You may want to enter the BIOS yourself and confirm, as the documentation I have is from it's initial release in 2012. ( Restart the system and hit when you see the Dell splash screen come up. )

You may also want to go to the product support page for the 3521.   If you open the Internet and Networking section you'll see a troubleshooting guide for bluetooth.   Try that and see how it works.

If that doesn't help please let us know what version of Windows you're using, and if you're seeing the option to enable Bluetooth at all under the Change PC Settings window.  We'll see if we can try other options to get your system to recognize Bluetooth on the new card. 

Todd

Hi Todd the one I have is 3531 not sure it has the same mobo as the 3521.

There's nothing about Bluetooth in the BIOS unfortunately.

Hi,

Sorry I missed your reply.   Yes, it being the 3531 does make a difference.   The 3531 didn't ship with bluetooth options.

Quick question, do you still see the driver for the old card installed?   Anything else listed under networking in your Device Manager?

If there are, unistall all drivers for network devices, including the ones you just installed for this card.   Then do a clean install of the driver for the current card and see if that works.

If that doesn't work you may want to check with Intel.  Did you get that latest driver off their support pages for the 2230?   There may be some documentation on that page that may help you.

But to answer your original question, no, there should not be anything in the BIOS that you need to change to get the system to recognize the BT technology in that card.

Todd

Hi Todd.

Thank you for your reply.

In device manager i only see in Network adapters: Intel Centrino N2230

There is no Bluetooth whatsoever in device manager.

The driver of the old module DW1506 is not in device manager anymore.

I installed the latest driver from Intel. Only wifi is visible. Bluetooth not even recognised.

I even installed the Intel PROset/Wireless software for Bluetooth technology for win8.1 64bit, and tried to open the Bluetooth Device operations and setings application, it says Error initializing local Bluetooth Device. Please make sure Bluetooth is enabled.

By the way other people with Intel 7260 module also could no get bluetooth to work nor 5Ghz wifi frequency.

I wish Dell can clarify why bluetooth from Intel refuses to work on this specific laptop eventhough they use the Intel modules on other laptops from Dell.

What is preventing the motherboard from recognising bluetooth?

Hi Todd

The Intel centrino 2230 card is used on certain Dell laptops so I don't understand why bluetooth is not recognised on mine. Otherwise can you suggest which wifi/bluetooth card i can test with my laptop that would work?

Hi,

Unfortunately there is no way for me to know what is going on with the BIOS and Bluetooth.  All I can suggest is that you try a wifi card with bluetooth that has been tested to work with the system, and that we provide drivers for.  Those are the only ones we can be sure work.

Sorry, but that's the best I can recommend at this point.

Todd

Hi Todd The Intel centrino 2230 card is used on certain Dell laptops so I don't understand why bluetooth is not recognised on mine. Otherwise can you suggest which wifi/bluetooth card i can test with my laptop that would work?

The 3531 only came with the DW1506 option from what I can tell, so I can't state specifically which other cards will work with the system.  Maybe try the DW1705?  Even then I can't guarantee it would work.

Todd

Today I installed the DW1705 on the laptop and still no Bluetooth in site even after downloading and installing the correct drivers from Dell website.

If this is a hardware limitation I'd like to know instead of waisting my time. I dont undertsand why Dell customer support refuse to tell me why Bluetooth cannot work on a laptop in 2015?!! It's shameful!

Do I have to pay them to get that answer?
I am very disappointed with their CS,

Im going to chime in on this... I also am trying to install a wifi / bluetooth card on this same laptop and absolutely nothing works... ive tried 2 cards, the dell wireless 1703 and the intel ac / bt 7260. Both will connect via wifi (tho connecting via 5g isnt returning 5g speeds) but neither will show any bluetooth options in device manager, pc and devices, networks, windows mobility center, or anywhere at all really. I did the proper steps in "services.msc" but yeah,  add me to the list of trying to add bluetooth to the 3531 and if anyone should ever actually solve this problem please, share your solution... I'm almost about to just get rid of my laptop.

Did you ever resolve this issue?

Unfortunately no. DELL CS has no time to come back with competent answers.