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

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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

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  1. 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!...

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  2. 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!

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-19T22:11:47+00:00

    Hmm OK I've now tried installing the dongle on a different PC and pairing with both the mouse and also my mobile phone - immediately gives the same error.  This is really weird now given it worked initially and almost seems like the Windows driver has mistakenly written something to the dongle that is causing the problem (otherwise I would have thought in a fresh machine it would have worked fine).

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-03-19T22:07:43+00:00

    Nope, it's just a plain old mouse so no such option!  I've tried taking the batteries out and have switched it on and off (it's a travel mouse so there are there's a little switch underneath), but all to no avail.

    The more I read the error the more I think it sounds like Windows should be trying to store a key on the dongle itself that will enable it to connect even at startup (i.e. before Windows has loaded) but for some reason it's failing to do so (presumably due to a poorly written driver - this would fit with the driver dating from 2008 I think!).  Perhaps this is why it worked de novo, when there was nothing stored, but now it's unable to write over the key in the dongle?? (slightly clutching at straws here).

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