"Allow a device to connect" is greyed out, bluetooth

Anonymous
2011-10-26T15:52:46+00:00

I am unable to connect any device to the laptop through bluetooth, even though I've used the feature before.

When I switch the bluetooth on and right click on the bluetooth icon - "Allow a device to connect" is greyed out.".

I'm using Windows 7, 64 bit. Any suggestions...?

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.

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Anonymous
2014-11-21T22:55:10+00:00

HOW TO PAIR/CONNECT A BLUETOOTH SPEAKER TO LAPTOP/PC/WINDOWS 7 SOLVED....

Bought a Bletooth speaker ages ago, it is good for what it is and managed to get it paired up with all my other devices - tablet, phone but have never been able to connect it to my Sony Vaio laptop - would always pair then never be able to connect it. Here's how I got it to work..

I decided to start afresh and delete all Bluetooth devices and start again.

Make sure you have your computer Bluetooth turned on

Down in the bottom right tool bar right click on the Bluetooth icon

Click on Join a Personal Area Network

Opens a new Window in Devices and printers

Turn on your Bluetooth Speaker to discover mode

Click Add a Device

Your speaker should show up

DO NOT CLICK NEXT.....

INSTEAD A MESSAGE SHOULD POP UP FROM THE TOOLBAR SAYING A DEVICE IS ASKING TO CONNECT

CLICK THIS MESSAGE

it will then ask you to add a pairing number to connect ( add the default number if your speaker has one refer to manual)

In this case the XMI X-Mini WE does not come with one so I put in 0000

Worked!!

Paired

Now click on Start - Devices and Printers and you should see the speaker XMI X-Mini WE

Right click it and click control

Click connect......

BOOM paired and working

Dont know how or why its working but I an now listening to music via my Bluetooth Speaker.

Now I now this may not work for all but This was driving me nuts and hope it at least works for some..

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-07-14T11:12:22+00:00

    Hi,

    If you have any feedback related to Windows and want some changes in the next version or update then you need to post them on the Feedback app. For providing your findings, issue, bugs and comments on the feedback app you may refer to the steps provided below.

    • Press the Windows key.
    • Type Feedback in the box.
    • Click on Windows Feedback (Trusted Windows Store app).
    • Then follow the on screen instruction to provide feedback.

    Hope the information provided is helpful. Do let us know if you have any queries related to Windows, we will be happy to assist you.

    Regards,

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-13T12:48:12+00:00

    I would not say they are "working fine"  It is still much more cumbersome than it was with Win XP Pro.  I can still fire up my old laptop, and connect my phone immediately and transfer any file I want or a group of files via bluetooth.  With Win 10 I have to send and receive each one separately.    If I have much stuff to move, like the pictures off my phone I just use the cable.   It REALLY is an issue the should be fixed.  Of course possibly if I was able to upgrade to the newest Rev of Win 10 it might work.  But See my other post on the community about THAT problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-13T11:02:44+00:00

    Hi Scott,

    If your devices are working fine, good to know that. Do feel free to post us back if you have any more concern related to Windows. We will be happy to assist you again.

    Regards,

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-07-11T13:54:21+00:00

    Thanks for you reply.  I tried this yesterday and it still didn't work.  The workaround I have found is under the Win10 Bluetooth menu there is "Receive a File"  so I've been using that.  Still not nearly as handy as XP Pro was where I could have my phone connected at all times.  

    By the way, I don't have any problem with dumb devices like speakers.  They connect.

    Scott

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