Intel AC-7265 bluetooth driver for AptX-LL (latest W10 update)

Hello,

Digging out a topic a little bit... I followed the initial drivers (from Dell website) installation procedure from this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/intel-aptx-driver-download.794032/, and I was very happy to benefit from AptX-LL on my Intel AC-7265 adapter-based laptop, working flawlessly.

Unfortunately after updating Windows 10 to the latest version this weekend (now 20H2 19042.870), it seems it messed up the sound from my bluetooth device. The sound was all of a sudden very distorted, with a lot of static, like it was overpowered or something (a bit like if you'd be speaking too close to a mic, for instance) - absolutely unbearable.

I tried deleting / reinstalling the device and the drivers, swiping everything clean, to no avail... as soon as I install the Dell package drivers the distorted sound comes back.
It seems with the default Microsoft driver on the bluetooth sound card the AptX is still working (at least that's what my receiver is telling me) and the sound quality is OK, but not the Low Latency anymore...

Anyone noticed the same issue? I have no idea how we could bypass that, or where to look for.

Thanks!

 

Try using the Intel driver assistant to update the drivers to the latest version and see if it is fixed

 

Did that already, unfortunately the Intel assistant tells me I have their latest versions installed:

Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265: 19.51.33.1 (12/10/2020)
Intel® Wireless Bluetooth: 20.100.7.1 (07/10/2020)

 

For the Intel it's not the latest version. The latest is 22.30.00
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/83635/Intel-Dual-Band-Wireless-AC-7265
Both are out of date

 

Nope. If you look at the details from the download page (of the 'branded' 22.30.00 version https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30251/Intel-Wireless-Bluetooth-for-Windows-10) the package actually includes different drivers versions depending on the wireless adapter:

Intel® Wireless Bluetooth® Package version = 22.30.0

• Driver version 22.30.0.4: For Windows® 10 using AX210, AX201, AX200, 9560, 9462, 9461, 9260, 8260, 18260, 8265, 18265
• Driver version 20.100.7.1: For Windows® 10 using 3168, 3165, 7265, 17265

Same for the Wi-Fi ( https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30208/Windows-10-Wi-Fi-Drivers-for-Intel-Wireless-Adapters) :

The 22.30.0 package installs the Windows® 10 Wi-Fi drivers for the following Intel® Wireless Adapters:

• 22.30.0.11 for AX210/AX201/AX200/9560/9260/9462/9461 (Only available in 64-bit version)
• 20.70.21.2 for 8265/8260 (Only available in 64-bit version)
• 19.51.33.1 for 7265(Rev. D)/3165/3168

 

Oh. Sorry didn't read the full detail of the package. I own a ax200 and a 7265 AC in another laptop and have no issues with the Bluetooth.

Try removing the Intel card from the device manager on windows and tick the remove driver checkbox to see if it is a bogus driver instalation. Maybe trying to force windows to update the drivers manually too. Dunno what else to do to be honest

 

Yep, already tried that 'force delete' of the driver when uninstalling the device, but same weird distorted sound comes back when reinstalling the package driver from Dell for AptX-LL support... Seems the newer Windows version isn't fully compatible with it (the Dell driver was for Windows 8.1 tbh but was working perfectly until last week...!).

 

Intel WLAN Driver v22.40.0 + Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver v22.40.0

 

So when you reinstalled to windows 10 what O/S did that driver have to it's latest driver from Dell site? What is your Dell model? Sometimes if it's too old the new driver will not work and you have to use that last known driver from the Dell driver site to install. Installing drivers not from Dell could also be the problem as well as those will not recognize the hardware if it's too old.

 

Sorry I didn’t quite get that...?
I don’t have a Dell computer, the driver coming from Dell is actually an Intel Bluetooth Sound driver that activates AptX and AptX-LL sound profiles on an Intel-based Bluetooth device.

There is no 'updated' driver activating those sound profiles from the Intel website right now, even though it is now known that the related chipsets support both AptX and AptX-LL.

I did a few more tests and found out that when you look into the Bluetooth sound device properties with the 'Dell' driver installed, the distorted sound issue I described only happens when the second checkbox is ticked on this tab (here on my French Windows):



Even though it doesn’t show properly on Windows 10, this tab allows to enable support for AptX (first line) and AptX-LL (second line).
The corresponding strings can be found in the driver ibta2dp.inf file (here in English) :

Code:

[Strings]
DiskId1                = "Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) Stereo Driver Installation Disk"
ibta2dp.DeviceDesc     = "Bluetooth(R) Stereo"
ibta2dp.SvcDesc        = "Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) Stereo Service"
ibta2dp.aptXSupport    = "Enable aptX(R) Codec Support"
ibta2dp.aptXLLSupport  = "Enable aptX(R) Low Latency Codec Support"

When only the AptX (first) checkbox is ticked, the sound immediately goes back to 'normal' (although a latency is perceptible, since it’s obviously not LL anymore...). This seems to show that the new Windows version specifically messes with the AptX-LL sound profile activation, and the issue might not be related to the underlying Bluetooth device driver?

 

Oops double post...

 

Wait.. Why are you installing proprietary drivers for Dell but you dont have a Dell. Use the drivers from Intel.. Not Dell

 

Errr... okay, I think there is a misunderstanding here.

If you look in the link I shared in my first post you will see that is a well documented fact that the only drivers available to activate AptX and AptX-LL sound profiles for some Intel Bluetooth chipsets are found on the Dell website (somehow).
This driver is NOT a driver specifically for Dell computers, it is an Intel audio driver, for Intel chipsets - therefore can be used for Intel hardware on any laptop manufacturer (afaik Dell aren't producing chipsets btw - so their drivers come from third-party manufacturers anyway).
This is exactly what it says on the driver download page:

Intel 7265/3165/7260/3160 Bluetooth Audio Application (WBS/APTX)
https://www.dell.com/support/home/fr-fr/drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=90WTD&fileId=3506730032

So there are two different things: the underlying hardware driver (for the Bluetooth chipset itself) and the audio/sound profile or codec driver (for the sound card over Bluetooth). Both are Intel drivers. This has nothing to do with Dell basically.

 

You haven't indicated what device you are connecting with BT. I have a pair of Sennheiser headphones that link via BT, and I was able to get some help from their site. I do not think this is your problem. For me, these IEM's can link via low power (LE) BT, depending on how you set up the link. The LE link does not support APTX. I had to be sure to set the link up so that it forced the regular (higher power) BT in order to get APTX.
You are right, though about source of drivers for APTX. I do not know why Intel hasn't provided them, but Dell may be the only source. There is another company called CSR that has some drivers - they didn't work fully for me, but might be worth a look.
Good luck. BT sound is definitely a work in progress on computers - phones are much farther along.
I found another solution: Creative makes a bluetooth dongle (BT-W3) that sells for ~39.00 on Amazon. With its drivers, it appears to provide access to all of the APTx variants (LL, HD, and "regular). Would be worth a try if the other drivers don't work.

 

I'm connecting to a simple Bluetooth receiver that supports AptX and AptX-LL (HomeSpot aptX LL adapter found through Amazon). Of course they're not providing any kind of software or driver...

I was not aware of any CSR driver. Could you point to their repository/website (a quick search didn't allow me to pin it) ?

Thanks for the heads up regarding the Creative dongle, but of course the purpose of such a topic is to avoid to buy and add any dongle/device to a laptop that already includes hardware supporting such a feature
It is indeed a pain that Bluetooth is not more supported / well documented in 2021...!

 

I think this is the site where I found it: https://www.updatestar.com/en/topic/csr aptx driver . Apparently, CSR was purchased by Qualcomm. Good luck!

 

I installed the HPWA for AC 8260 from the Dell website on my Lenovo Yoga 720 (which has the AC 8265 adapter).
aptX worked, after that.

However, hands-free AG profiles disappeared, replaced by hands-free; the system would show that audio was playing for hands-free, when selected, but there was no audio for that output.

Additionally, the hands-free headset mic stopped working, as well. Not sure why, though perhaps the lack of an AG (audio gateway) role is a clue. The hands-free AG returned as soon as I uninstalled the Intel Wireless Bluetooth Audio drivers, and everything worked. aptX is still being used, so I didn't seem to lose anything. Here's what is left in Apps & features:

Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R): 22.40.0.2