"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

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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
    2015-04-24T21:23:52+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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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-10T11:15:27+00:00

    Hi,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community forum and sorry for delayed response.

    There might be a chance that Bluetooth service might be missing so, try to check that service. Make sure the Bluetooth services are running on the computer. To start the Bluetooth services follow the steps below:

    1. Click on Start
    2. In the search box type run.
    3. Type Services.msc in run box and press enter.
    4. In the list find Bluetooth support services and double click on that.
    5. Ensure that the service is both set to automatic and started.

    Do keep us updated about the status of your issue and we will be happy to assist you.

    Regards,

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-20T00:47:14+00:00

    I've tried everything on this post.  None of them worked.  I can find the devices. Once I even got a code to connect (when trying to connect my iPhone 5). Even when I used it. It would not connect.  I could never get any code prompts with the Sony speakers. 

    II can add both the sony device and my iphon on windows. But it won't connect. There isn't even any option to connect. It is grayed out.  Also I have to manually choose to use the generic driver listed in this post to even get anywhere.  But it still does not work.  Windows can not find a driver for either device.  

    Super frustrating. I just wanted to listen to music from my laptop on my nice fancy Sony speakers.  (Which work perfect with my iPhone btw). 

    I don't have the space on m desk to have the speakers. Otherwise I would use an aux cable and not deal with this mess.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-19T16:04:37+00:00

    It worked!!!! Thank you so so much!

    Kathleen ... what exactly worked for you?

    Mr. Kumar, I tried your previous method of running Troubleshoots and I found it really useful, however it DOES NOT resolve the issue of taking off the graying out of Bluetooth's function of "Allow a Device to Connect".

    To be specific, when I run the Troubleshoot for Sound Devices it now gives me the message that "hardware changes might not have been detected".  My specific question is how do I get my computer to recognize hardware changes?

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