Windows – operate two bluetooth radios on the same windows 10 pc

bluetoothwindows 10

I'm trying to do some automated testing of a bluetooth software library on windows, and would like to install two usb-dongle radios so that I can do a local loopback test. However, it seems that when I plug

2 dongles into 1 pc, OR
1 dongle into a pc with a built-in radio

I get

This device cannot start. (Code 10)

in the device manager. I've verified that the dongles work as expected when plugged into pc's without any bluetooth radio already installed.

Is it a known limitation of windows 10 that you can only have a single local radio, or am I doing something wrong?

Best Answer

In our company where we develop software, we experimented with 2 adapters as well. One would be onboard, and other USB. We have found out that it is impossible to run 2 adapters at the same time. Windows will disable one (exclamation mark in Device Manager) and state Code 10 "Device cannot start".

It's either the USB dongle, or the onboard adapter, depending on if you boot with the USB dongle inserted or not.

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