"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
    2014-11-27T04:30:17+00:00

    This did not work for me.  No message ever shows up in my toolbar asking to connect.  I waited but nada.  I have Win7.  I am attempting to connect to my Sony bluetooth speakers.  Its not going well.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-07T00:02:45+00:00

    What you've stated makes no sense. The problem has been clearly stated and MS has not contributed in any positive manner. A new thread would add no value and cause the customers to repeat already failed suggestions.

    I too have this problem with my Windows 7 machine. I have previously connected bluetooth headsets to the machine, but now the option has been greyed out.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-05T12:32:06+00:00

    I have a ThinkPad on Windows 7 64 Bit Professional. I've tried pairing a mouse when I first bought the notebook and it did not work. I had to purchase a Microsoft Mouse with a dongle.

    1. I've bought an extra Bluetooth Dongle (and removed the Dongle that connects to my mouse) thinking it was a hardware problem and that does not help either.
    2. I've uninstalled the Anti Virus Programme
    3. I've tried creating another user and logging in and out and it does not help either.
    4. I've tried restarting Bluetooth support as well as updating all the drivers but to no avail.
    5. I've checked Microsoft Website and performed regedit

    At the moment I've spent almost THREE days cracking my head. I could neither see othe bluetooth devices nor receive any message for pairing.  It is just a complete waste of time and for now I will just make do without Bluetooth although it is important for me as I need to communicate with my customers with a bluetooth headset. I've thought of moving to Windows 8 after this incident I will move back to Mac OS.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-05-28T19:43:21+00:00

    Same problem W8 64bit on a new Lenovo T530.

    It pairs every bluetooth device but "allow a device to connect" is greyd out.

    This sould not be so difficult to manage!!!!

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