Bluetooth not working on GEEKOM devices under Linux – GEEKOM Help Center

Article ID Code: GK-BT-04

Applies to: GEEKOM A6, A8, A9, IT13, IT12, Mini IT11 and other models running Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, Fedora, etc.)

Symptom Description

Bluetooth functionality is unavailable or unstable under Linux. Common symptoms include:

Bluetooth toggle appears enabled but devices cannot be discovered or connected.
In the Bluetooth manager, clicking Adapter only shows the Exit option with no adapter listed.
Bluetooth works intermittently or disappears after a kernel update.

Root Cause

GEEKOM mini PCs are equipped with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo network cards (such as the AW-XB591-NF, MediaTek MT7922, Intel AX200/AX210, Realtek RTL8852, etc.). Different Linux distributions ship with varying kernel versions, and it is possible that the current kernel lacks full support for the specific network adapter, resulting in abnormal Bluetooth functionality.

This is a common occurrence under Linux. Hardware manufacturers typically prioritize Windows compatibility, and Linux driver support is often added at a later stage or requires manual installation.

Step 1: Identify Your Network Card Model

Run the following commands in a terminal to identify your wireless adapter:

lspci | grep -i network
lsusb | grep -i bluetooth

Note the model name (e.g., AW-XB591-NF, MT7922, AX210) before proceeding.

Step 2: Install the Official Linux Driver

Visit the GEEKOM technical support website and search for your product model to find available Linux drivers.

For the AW-XB591-NF (used in the A6), you may try the Linux driver provided by the GEEKOM test department. After downloading, follow the README instructions included in the driver package to compile and install. You may need to install build tools first:

sudo apt install build-essential dkms

Step 3: Update Your Kernel

Newer kernel versions often include improved hardware support. Try updating to the latest stable kernel for your distribution:

Ubuntu / Linux Mint: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Fedora: sudo dnf upgrade
Arch: sudo pacman -Syu

After updating, restart and check whether Bluetooth is now functional.

Step 4: Restart Bluetooth Service

Run the following commands to restart the Bluetooth service:

sudo systemctl restart bluetooth
sudo systemctl enable bluetooth

Then open your Bluetooth manager and check whether the adapter is now listed.

Final Recommendation

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is likely a kernel compatibility limitation for your specific distribution and adapter combination. In this case:

Consider switching to a distribution with a newer kernel (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or later).
Contact GEEKOM Customer Service for further assistance. Please provide your product model, Linux distribution name, and kernel version (uname -r).

For Windows Bluetooth issues, see: GK-BT-01: Unable to connect to Bluetooth