Using the USB Bluetooth Dongle with NeXus and BioTrace+

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Windows Update Note June 2026

Latest Windows Update currently under review by Mind Media : Microsoft Update KB5095093 / build 26100.8737 and 26200.8737 includes changes for Bluetooth & Devices, reconnect-behavior and Bluetooth driver issues.

Recent Windows 11 updates may change Bluetooth behavior. If the Bluetooth connection started dropping after a Windows update, especially after a Windows Preview Update, this may be related to the Windows Bluetooth stack, the Bluetooth adapter driver, or Windows power management.

This is usually not a BioTrace+ code-signing issue. A connection that first works and then drops is more often related to Bluetooth/BLE behavior, adapter handling, Windows updates, power management, or driver compatibility.



Summary

NeXus devices can connect to BioTrace+ by USB or by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) .

For Bluetooth, Mind Media recommends using the supplied or recommended Bluetooth 5.4 BLE USB dongle. This dongle is designed for long-range BLE communication, with a specified range of more than 150 meters under suitable conditions.

If the Bluetooth connection drops after a few seconds or minutes, this article explains how to check the most common Windows settings.

Step 1 — Restart the computer and NeXus

  1. Close BioTrace+.
  2. Turn off the NeXus device.
  3. Restart the computer.
  4. Insert the USB Bluetooth dongle.
  5. Turn on the NeXus device.
  6. Start BioTrace+ again.
  7. Test the Bluetooth connection.

Please note whether the connection drops immediately, after a few minutes, or randomly.

Step 2 — Test USB first

NeXus can be connected by USB or Bluetooth.

To check whether the issue is only related to Bluetooth:

  1. Connect the NeXus device to the computer with the USB cable.
  2. Start BioTrace+.
  3. Connect to the NeXus using USB.
  4. Let it run for at least 10 minutes.

If USB works but Bluetooth drops, the issue is most likely related to Bluetooth, Windows, the Bluetooth adapter, or power management.

Step 3 — Insert the USB Bluetooth dongle

  1. Insert the Bluetooth 5.4 BLE USB dongle into a USB port on the computer.
  2. During troubleshooting, connect it directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub.
  3. If the issue continues, try another USB port.

The dongle does not normally need to be close to the NeXus device. Testing another USB port is only to exclude a USB-port or Windows power-management issue.

Step 4 — Open Device Manager

Device Manager is where Windows shows the hardware inside or connected to your computer.

Option A — Open Device Manager from the Start button

  1. Move your mouse to the Windows Start button at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Right-click the Start button.
  3. A menu will open.
  4. Click Device Manager.

Option B — Open Device Manager using search

  1. Click the Search box or magnifying glass in the Windows taskbar.
  2. Type:
Device Manager
  1. Click Device Manager in the search results.

If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.

Step 5 — Find the Bluetooth adapters

In Device Manager:

  1. Look for the category named Bluetooth.
  2. Click the small arrow next to Bluetooth to open it.
  3. You may see one or more Bluetooth adapters.

Examples:

Realtek Bluetooth Adapter
Intel Wireless Bluetooth
Qualcomm Bluetooth Adapter
Generic Bluetooth Radio
Marvell Bluetooth Adapter

The name depends on your computer and dongle.

Step 6 — Disable the internal Bluetooth adapter, if needed

If your computer has both:

  • an internal Bluetooth adapter, and
  • the external USB Bluetooth dongle,

Windows may use the internal adapter instead of the dongle.

To test with only the USB Bluetooth dongle:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Open the Bluetooth category.
  3. Look for the internal Bluetooth adapter. It may be called:
    • Intel Wireless Bluetooth
    • Qualcomm Bluetooth Adapter
    • Marvell Bluetooth Adapter
    • Built-in Bluetooth
  4. Right-click the internal Bluetooth adapter.
  5. Click Disable device.
  6. If Windows asks for confirmation, click Yes.
  7. Leave the USB Bluetooth dongle enabled.
  8. Restart the computer.
  9. Test BioTrace+ again.

Do not uninstall the adapter unless Mind Media Support asks you to. Disabling is safer and can easily be reversed.

To turn it back on later:

  1. Go back to Device Manager.
  2. Open Bluetooth.
  3. Right-click the disabled adapter.
  4. Click Enable device.

Step 7 — Turn off Bluetooth power saving

Windows may turn off Bluetooth hardware to save power. This can cause the NeXus Bluetooth connection to drop.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Open the Bluetooth category.
  3. Double-click the active Bluetooth adapter or USB Bluetooth dongle.
  4. A new window opens.
  5. Click the Power Management tab.
  6. Remove the checkmark from:
Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
  1. Click OK.

If you do not see a Power Management tab, that is normal on some computers. Continue with the next step.

Step 8 — Turn off USB power saving

The USB port used by the Bluetooth dongle can also be put into power-saving mode by Windows.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Scroll down to Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. Click the small arrow to open this category.
  4. Look for items such as:
    • USB Root Hub
    • Generic USB Hub
    • USB Composite Device
  5. Double-click one of these items.
  6. If there is a Power Management tab, click it.
  7. Remove the checkmark from:
Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
  1. Click OK.
  2. Repeat this for the other USB Hub items if they have a Power Management tab.
  3. Restart the computer.

Not every USB item has this option. That is normal.

Step 9 — Remove old NeXus Bluetooth pairings

Old Bluetooth pairings can sometimes cause connection problems.

  1. Click the Windows Start button.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Bluetooth & devices.
  4. Click Devices.
  5. Look for old NeXus devices, such as:
NX10
NeXus
  1. Click the three dots ... next to the old device.
  2. Click Remove device.
  3. Confirm if Windows asks.
  4. Turn Bluetooth off and on again.
  5. Restart the computer.
  6. Start BioTrace+ and reconnect the NeXus.

Step 10 — Check whether a recent Windows update caused the issue

If the Bluetooth connection started dropping after a Windows update, please check the update history.

  1. Click the Windows Start button.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Windows Update.
  4. Click Update history.
  5. Look for recent Preview Updates, for example:
KB5095093
OS Build 26100.8737
OS Build 26200.8737

If the issue started immediately after such an update, please contact Mind Media Support. In some cases, removing a preview update may restore Bluetooth stability.

Step 11 — Run the Mind Media BLE Diagnostic Script

Mind Media Support may ask you to run a diagnostic script. This script collects technical information that helps us understand why the Bluetooth connection drops.

The script collects:

  • Windows version and build number;
  • installed update information;
  • Bluetooth adapter status;
  • Bluetooth and USB driver information;
  • driver signing information;
  • Bluetooth, USB, and power event logs.

The script does not remove Windows updates, uninstall drivers, or change BioTrace+ files.

How to run the script

A. Save the script

  1. Download the script from Mind Media Support.
  2. Save it in your Downloads folder.
  3. The file name should be, if downloaded note that you might need to change it to:
MindMedia_BLE_Diagnostics.ps1

B. Open PowerShell as administrator

  1. Right-click the Windows Start button.
  2. Click Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  3. If Windows asks for permission, click Yes.

C. Go to the Downloads folder

Copy this line:

cd $env:USERPROFILE\Downloads

Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.

D. Allow the script to run in this window

Copy this line:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force

Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.

E. Start the script

Copy this line:

.\MindMedia_BLE_Diagnostics.ps1

Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.

F. Answer the power-saving question

The script may ask:

Apply this USB power-saving workaround now?

Type:

Y

Then press Enter.

G. Send the ZIP file to Mind Media Support

When the script is finished, it creates a ZIP file on your Desktop.

The file name will look like this:

MindMedia_BLE_Diagnostics_20260630_143000.zip

Please send this ZIP file to Mind Media Support.

Information to send to Mind Media Support

Please include:

1. Does the NeXus connection drop only on Bluetooth, or also on USB?
2. How long after connecting does the Bluetooth connection drop?
3. Does it happen every time or randomly?
4. Did the problem start after a Windows update?
5. Which Windows version are you using?
6. Which Bluetooth adapter or dongle are you using?
7. Is the dongle connected directly to the computer or through a USB hub?
8. Did the connection improve after disabling Bluetooth/USB power saving?
9. Did the connection improve after restarting the computer?
10. Did USB connection work normally?

Recommended workaround if Bluetooth remains unstable

Until the issue is resolved:

  • use USB instead of Bluetooth where possible;
  • connect the Bluetooth dongle directly to the computer during troubleshooting;
  • avoid USB hubs during troubleshooting;
  • disable Bluetooth and USB power saving;
  • remove old NeXus Bluetooth pairings;
  • disable the internal Bluetooth adapter if the USB dongle is used;
  • pause optional Windows Preview Updates;
  • contact Mind Media Support with the diagnostic ZIP file.



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