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My Bluetooth is not working in Ubuntu 13.04. I am unable to turn it on and also, Bluetooth icon doesn't show up in the top bar.

I asked about this on #ubuntu IRC and they said that I am missing the proprietary drivers for it. There is nothing under Additional Drivers in Software and Updates

Bluetooth does work 'Try Ubuntu mode' when I boot Ubuntu from DVD/USB.

How can I get the required drivers?

Sourabh
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2 Answers2

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If your Ralink Bluetooth devices is a RT3290, then you can follow this instructions:

  1. Download this .zip archive from public folder:

    http://downloads.zotac.com/mediadrivers/mb/download/NB087_Ubuntu.zip

  2. Unzip it to any directory, cd $PATH-OF-YOUR-DOWNLOAD/NB087_Ubuntu/rtbth_v3.9.3/rtbth_v3.9.3/ and make bluetooth module:

    sudo make
sudo mkdir /etc/Wireless/RT3290

    ...then copy necessary files in specified directory like this:

    sudo cp rtbth.ko /etc/Wireless/RT3290/
cd $PATH-OF-YOUR-DOWNLOAD/NB087_Ubuntu/
sudo cp rtbt.bin /etc/Wireless/RT3290/ ; sudo chmod +x /etc/Wireless/RT3290/rtbt.bin
sudo cp 49rtbt /usr/lib/pm-utils/sleep.d/

  3. Create startup script like this:

    sudo nano /etc/init/bluetooth.sh ; sudo chmod +x /etc/init/bluetooth.sh

    ...past this into editor field and save:

    #!/bin/bash
insmod /etc/Wireless/RT3290/rtbth.ko
mknod /dev/rtbth c 192 0
/etc/Wireless/RT3290/rtbt.bin
exit 0

    ..then edit your /etc/rc.local (do this with sudo) and add line /etc/init/bluetooth.sh before exit 0 line. This must look like this:

    #!/bin/sh -e
/etc/init/bluetooth
exit 0

  4. Test script by running and seek for errors:

    sudo /etc/init/bluetooth.sh

    Please do not forget to give execution flags and also for rtbt.bin.

  5. Re-login or reboot machine and look for bluetooth applet in your taskbar

This is a typical scenario for installing Ralink 3290 Bluetooth Drivers, but this special version works for 13.04 based Ubuntu kernels. Look for this article http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2115570 for typical bluetooth driver installing.

Svyatoslav
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  • I don't see the reason why set 777 to rtbt.bin, nor any of the files. They are only supposed to be executed by root, nor any other user, care to elaborate why not using chmod +x? – Braiam Aug 31 '13 at 14:51
  • Oh, you right. Please disregard 777 permissions. Only necesary need to use chmod +x. Sorry for this I am so newbe in this question. – Svyatoslav Aug 31 '13 at 18:10
  • This is a fantastic answer for such a bizarre procedure. Kudos. – amoe Feb 21 '16 at 17:19
  • i cnot find file rtbth.ko ?? help – Suraj Jain Apr 05 '17 at 09:16
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If you are facing compilation errors, try downloading the package with source code and compiling + installing it manually. To do this open a shell where you downloaded the source, unpack it, and run: 

make   
sudo make install

Then reboot.

Tested on 13.04, 3.10.9-031009-generic kernel, h/w Model: Pavilion 15-E016Tx product: RT3290 Bluetooth, vendor: Ralink corp

con-f-use
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Mahesh S
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