Error "Adding the device failed resulting in an unkown error. 0x80004005" when adding Bluetooth headset

Anonymous
2010-01-20T20:16:27+00:00

I'm having an issue re-pairing my Bluetooth headset with my laptop.  I'm running Windows 7 Enterprise 64.  I have repeated this behavior with 2 different headsets.  Here's the problem:

1.  I pair the headset with my laptop and everthing works fine

2.  I go into Bluetooth Devices and remove the headset device

3.  I then attempt to pair the headset to the laptop and receive the error

I have not been able to find anything online to help.  I have spoken to the manufacturer (Plantronics) and they were also unable to help.  Surely there's got to be a way to get it to pair again.  I'm desperate for help.  I really don't want to rebuild my machine just to get the headset to pair again.

Thanks in advance for an assistance.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-01-19T02:30:59+00:00

Hi guys,

I couldn't pair either of my two headsets to my Windows 7 machine.  Here's what fixed it for me.  In Device Manager, under Bluetooth Radios, I opened the properties for my radio (Broadcom 2046 Bluetooth 2.1+EDR USB Device with First Connect).  Under the Advanced tab, I took the hyphen out of my radio's name.  The headsets paired immediately after that.  

This is a pretty serious bug considering the radio takes its name from the computer name, which is username-PC by default when you install Windows 7.

I hope this solves your problems.  

Note that in order to actually use the headset, you will probably have to update your Bluetooth drivers if you haven't done so already.  Go to http://www.broadcom.com/support/bluetooth/update.php

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

60 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-05-05T20:50:20+00:00

    I had the same problem repairing my Plantronics 975 headset with my latptop (Win 7 64 bit).

    I resolved this accidentaly. Once i  got the 0x80004005 error, i retried successively several times in quick succession. Somehow, on my 4th re-try my device was detected and then i am now able to use it once agian.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-19T14:36:46+00:00

    I Had the same problem, "Adding the device failed resulting in an unknown error. 0x80004005" with my headset. I also receive this events on EventViwer:

    Warning: Bluetooth HID device (00:1d:d8:36:82:74) either went out of range or became unresponsive. EvendID: 2 Source: HidBt

    Error: The mutual authentication between the local Bluetooth adapter and a device with Bluetooth adapter address (00:18:16:40:21:bb) failed. EvendID: 18 Source: BTHUSB

    I did a search with 00:18:16:40:21:bb in registry and receive this keys:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Widcomm\BTConfig\Devices\00:18:16:40:21:bb

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Widcomm\BTConfig\Devices\00:18:16:40:21:bb

    I deleted this two keys and restart the computer. After this my device re-pairing perfect.

    Att:

    Victor Welasco Santana

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-17T04:51:44+00:00

    Same error here with a Microsoft bluetooth wireless keyboard Elite.  Been a rock solid keyboard, but now won't pair.  Windows 7 Ultimate, 32 bit.  The mouse will work, unless I try a second time then it dies too.  I pull and reinsert the bluetooth usb transceiver and the mouse at least reconnects.  The keyboard does not.

    Sounds like it's wider spread than the devices...  Something change recently??

    EDIT:  possible answer here for my keyboard:

    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=739314

    From a mac forum no less...

    i have your exact same keyboard and almost exact same problem (64 bits for me), the rest is all the same... and YES!! that solution does work! i am typing on my nice keyboard at last!... i read somewhere that the problem was because the WAP is screwing something in the registry...i could be more precise but i really dont remember and i lost the link xD. anyway im still happy because the keyboard works!...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-21T21:06:45+00:00

    Well I decided just to take the path of least resistance and have decided to return the the dongle and try for another one (my 3rd one) to see if yet another manufacturer might do the trick and actually work with Windows 7!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments