Bluetooth Dongle for Ageing Linux Laptop

[doctormann]

I just updated my old Lenovo Ideapad Z370 from Mint 20.3 to Mint 22 as support for 20.3 will end fairly soon.

 

Most things seem to work OK, although some software packages that I was using are no longer available.  I've found substitutes for just about everything but I can't get Bluetooth to work.  It may be that the Mint 22 kernel is not fully compatible with my hardware.  I have purchased a Bluetooth dongle - very cheap. CSR 4.0 - that according to reviews is supposed to be Linux compatible.  No joy - the system recognizes the dongle but it doesn't connect.

 

So, the question is, has anyone out there found a Linux compatible Bluetooth dongle that actually works out of the box?

 

I don't really use Bluetooth very much but it would be nice to have it.  The laptop will be replaced soon anyway so it's not a big deal.

 

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

[connda]

8 minutes ago, doctormann said:

I just updated my old Lenovo Ideapad Z370 from Mint 20.3 to Mint 22 as support for 20.3 will end fairly soon.

Mint 20.x doesn't natively support the drivers necessary to use the dongle and trying to install the necessary drivers is a PITA. Speaking from experience.  LM 22 works just dandy.  Upgrade on you're gold.
 

[connda]

19 minutes ago, doctormann said:

I have purchased a Bluetooth dongle - very cheap. CSR 4.0

This one will work TP-Link-UB500.  ฿239  There is "cheap" and there is really "cheap." When really cheap doesn't work, quality is the issue.  A CSR 4.0 is like ฿49.  You got what you paid for.  Shell out $7 bucks and get one that is both cheap inexpensive and of known quality. A TP-Link device is going to work if your system supports the drivers.


  https://shopee.co.th/⚡️กรุงเทพฯด่วน1ชั่วโมง⚡️-TP-LINK-UB500-BLUETOOTH-5.0-NANO-USB-ADAPTER-รับประกันตลอดการใช้งาน-i.53549820.12754936550?sp_atk=5d890234-8cf8-4518-8176-d3fd9b791fd5&xptdk=5d890234-8cf8-4518-8176-d3fd9b791fd5

[doctormann]

6 minutes ago, connda said:

This one will work TP-Link-UB500.  ฿239  There is "cheap" and there is really "cheap." When really cheap doesn't work, quality is the issue.  A CSR 4.0 is like ฿49.  You got what you paid for.  Shell out $7 bucks and get one that is both cheap inexpensive and of known quality. A TP-Link device is going to work if your system supports the drivers.


  https://shopee.co.th/⚡️กรุงเทพฯด่วน1ชั่วโมง⚡️-TP-LINK-UB500-BLUETOOTH-5.0-NANO-USB-ADAPTER-รับประกันตลอดการใช้งาน-i.53549820.12754936550?sp_atk=5d890234-8cf8-4518-8176-d3fd9b791fd5&xptdk=5d890234-8cf8-4518-8176-d3fd9b791fd5

Thanks for the reply.  I might just speculate the 239 Baht on the TP-Link dongle.  I'm not sure if the system supports the drivers or not.  Probably worth the risk though.

The laptop certainly has Bluetooth support - worked perfectly on Mint 20.3, using the built-in adapter.

[doctormann]

On 1/1/2025 at 7:25 PM, doctormann said:

Thanks for the reply.  I might just speculate the 239 Baht on the TP-Link dongle.  I'm not sure if the system supports the drivers or not.  Probably worth the risk though.

The laptop certainly has Bluetooth support - worked perfectly on Mint 20.3, using the built-in adapter.

Update.

 

I now have a TP-Link UB500 dongle.  Seems to pair and connect with my Echo Dot speaker but no audio is transmitted.  I'm running Mint 22 on my laptop - audio server is Pipewire.  I'm running Mint 20.3 on my desktop - audio server is Pulse Audio and works perfectly with the Echo Dot.  Tearing my hair out - any suggestions?

[doctormann]

On 1/4/2025 at 6:16 PM, doctormann said:

Update.

 

I now have a TP-Link UB500 dongle.  Seems to pair and connect with my Echo Dot speaker but no audio is transmitted.  I'm running Mint 22 on my laptop - audio server is Pipewire.  I'm running Mint 20.3 on my desktop - audio server is Pulse Audio and works perfectly with the Echo Dot.  Tearing my hair out - any suggestions?

Another Update

 

Seems as though Pipewire was not allowing Bluetooth audio output.  I installed Pavucontrol from the Mint software manager and after a reboot I can now get audio played through my Echo Dot speaker.  So, success but what a performance.

 

In fact, upgrading to Mint 22 has not been very straightforward.  Many things have changed and some software packages are not longer available.  Some PPAs no longer work as well.  i do hope that Linux Mint are not losing the plot - we really don't want to return to the days when extensive uses of the terminal was required.  I was very happy with Mint 20.3 but support ends in April 2025 so an update was required, sooner or later.  Anyway, all good for now.