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Check Bluetooth Version Windows 11: Read the LMP Number
Written by Windows 11 Field Guide Editorial Team · Updated
New earbuds, game controllers and keyboards often list a Bluetooth version on the box, and some features only work when the PC supports that version too. Windows 11 does not show the Bluetooth version in Settings, but you can check the Bluetooth version in Windows 11 in under a minute with Device Manager. This guide shows where to look, how to read the LMP number Microsoft uses, what each version means in practice, and what you can do if your PC’s Bluetooth is older than your accessory.
The steps apply to Windows 11 version 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2, on laptops and desktops with built-in Bluetooth or a USB adapter.
Find the LMP number
Microsoft’s support page describes these steps:
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Bluetooth category.
- Find the entry for the Bluetooth radio itself. It usually includes the maker’s name, for example Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) or Realtek Bluetooth Adapter.
- Ignore the generic entries such as Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator and RFCOMM, along with the paired devices listed underneath.
- Right-click the radio and select Properties.
- Open the Advanced tab.
- In the Bluetooth Radio Information section, look at Firmware Version. The number after LMP is what you need.
LMP stands for Link Manager Protocol. Each Bluetooth specification has its own LMP number, so the number tells you the version.
LMP to Bluetooth version table
From Microsoft’s table:
| LMP | Bluetooth version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | 1.0b to 2.0 + EDR | Withdrawn specifications |
| 4 | 2.1 + EDR | Deprecated |
| 5 | 3.0 + HS | Deprecated |
| 6 | 4.0 | Bluetooth Low Energy introduced |
| 7 | 4.1 | |
| 8 | 4.2 | |
| 9 | 5.0 | |
| 10 | 5.1 | |
| 11 | 5.2 | |
| 12 | 5.3 | |
| 13 | 5.4 | |
| 14 | 6.0 |
A typical laptop from the last few years shows LMP 9 to 12. Very old PCs and cheap USB dongles can show LMP 6 to 8.
What the version means for you
Microsoft makes two important points. First, the LMP version is the highest Bluetooth specification the PC fully supports. Second, accessories with a higher specification may still work, but with reduced functionality, and some accessories require a minimum version to work fully.
In practice:
- Basic use: a mouse, keyboard or pair of headphones built for Bluetooth 5.3 will pair and work with a Bluetooth 5.0 PC. Bluetooth is designed to be backward compatible.
- Newer features: features introduced in later versions only work when both ends support them. Bluetooth LE Audio, for example, needs support in the PC’s radio, its driver and Windows, as well as in the headphones. If you are buying for a specific feature, check that the accessory maker lists your Windows PC setup as supported.
- Range and stability: newer versions bring efficiency and connection improvements, but walls, USB 3 ports near the adapter and Wi-Fi congestion usually matter more in daily use.
Upgrading an older Bluetooth radio
The Bluetooth version is part of the hardware. Updating the driver can fix pairing, audio and stability problems, but it does not turn a 5.0 radio into a 5.3 radio. If you need a newer version:
- Desktop PCs: add a USB Bluetooth adapter, or a PCIe Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card. Some cards need a cable to an internal USB header on the motherboard.
- Laptops: a USB adapter is the simple route. Some laptops allow the wireless card to be replaced; check the maker’s service manual and warranty first.
When you add a USB adapter to a PC that already has Bluetooth, Windows can only use one radio at a time. Disable the old one in Device Manager (right-click > Disable device) so Windows uses the new one, then check its LMP number with the steps above.
Keep the driver current
Even though the driver does not change the version, it matters for reliability. Install updates from Settings > Windows Update, check Advanced options > Optional updates for a newer Bluetooth driver, or get one from the PC maker’s support page. Our guide on how to update drivers in Windows 11 covers all three routes and how to roll back.
Bluetooth not listed in Device Manager?
If there is no Bluetooth category at all, or the radio has a warning icon:
- Check that Bluetooth is on in Quick Settings (Windows logo key + A) or Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Check that airplane mode is off.
- Restart the PC; some laptops also have a wireless switch or function key.
- Look under View > Show hidden devices in Device Manager.
- Install the chipset and wireless drivers from the PC maker.
Microsoft’s Fix Bluetooth problems page and our Windows 11 Bluetooth not working guide go through the rest, including removing and re-pairing devices.
Related guides
- Windows 11 Bluetooth settings for pairing, Swift Pair and device options.
- Check PC specs in Windows 11 for the rest of your hardware, including the Wi-Fi card that often contains the Bluetooth radio.
- Windows 11 audio not working if Bluetooth headphones connect but play no sound.
- Find your MAC address in Windows 11 if you need the hardware address of your network adapters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my Bluetooth version in Windows 11?
Right-click Start, select Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click the radio (the entry with a maker's name such as Intel or Realtek), select Properties and open the Advanced tab. The LMP number next to Firmware Version identifies the version.
What LMP number is Bluetooth 5.3?
Microsoft's table lists LMP 12 as Bluetooth 5.3. LMP 11 is 5.2, LMP 13 is 5.4 and LMP 14 is 6.0.
Will Bluetooth 5.3 headphones work with a Bluetooth 5.0 PC?
Generally yes. Microsoft says accessories with a higher specification may still work, but with reduced functionality. Features that need the newer version on both sides will not be available.
Can I upgrade my Bluetooth version with a driver?
No. The version is a property of the Bluetooth radio hardware. Drivers fix bugs and compatibility; to get a newer version, add a newer USB adapter or replace the wireless card.
Which Device Manager entry is the right one?
Microsoft says to ignore the generic entries such as Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator, Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator and RFCOMM, and pick the radio, which usually includes the maker's name.
Sources
Windows 11 Field Guide Editorial Team
Editorial team
The Windows 11 Field Guide team writes and updates independent Windows 11 guides and checks each step against Microsoft's documentation and the current Settings app.
