"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
    2015-03-10T16:21:24+00:00

    Well. The "allow a device to connect" is still frayed out, however the properties for the device (Sony speakers) shows "currently connected" under the Bluetooth tab -troubleshooting information - last connected- 

    I still can't get it to do anything thou. It's not an option for sound device under sounds. 

    So it's not really allowing me to use the "connected device".

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-11T11:07:42+00:00

    Hi Daanniiii,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community forum.

    If issue still persist try the below methods and see if it works for you.

    Method 1:

    Run the hardware and device troubleshooter.

    **http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Hardware-and-Devices-troubleshooter**

    Method 2:

    If issue still persists try to refer the steps provided in the following Microsoft article and see if it helps.

    Add a Bluetooth enabled device to your computer

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Add-a-Bluetooth-enabled-device-to-your-computer

    Connect to Bluetooth and other wireless or network devices http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Connect-to-Bluetooth-and-other-wireless-or-network-devices

    Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

    Regards,

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-24T21:23:52+00:00

    Since 2011, the problem "allow a device to connect" still not solve (now 2015). Seriously, how long to wait for this problem solve by microsoft? May be it's time to use Mac OS.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T06:08:55+00:00

    Hi Salman,

    Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

    We understand how you feel about the situation and we apologize for not being able to address your concern in a timely manner. I would like to have more understanding with the issue so that we can work it out faster. I would appreciate if you could include some more information:

    1. What is the make and model of your computer?
    2. What is the make and model of the device which you are trying to connect?
    3. Does the issue occur with all the devices or it is specific to a particular device?
    4. Have you tried any troubleshooting steps mentioned in the previous section of this thread?
    5. If yes, then did you get any error message or any error code?

    Kindly reply to us with the necessary information and for further assistance. We’ll be glad to help.

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