Harman Kardon Invoke speaker - can't pair Bluetooth

Anonymous
2020-09-16T03:45:56+00:00

I just tried using my Invoke again for the first time in a while, and I can't pair via Bluetooth in order to play music from my phone.  If I say "Hey Cortana, pair Bluetooth," it responds and says it is entering pairing mode, but my phone doesn't detect it.  When I try pressing the bluetooth button on the speaker, nothing happens... the speaker does not enter pairing mode as expected.

I did not have this problem the last time I used it (probably 2-3 months ago).

I tried doing a full factory reset and setup, and it still does the same thing.  The speaker seems to be working fine otherwise... I can issue other Cortana voice commands (i.e. whats the weather, play radio station) and it responds properly.

The speaker has the latest FW:

2.0.4.067aa17.vs-ssh-main

Barracuda_libre-11.1842.0

Can anyone help?  Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | 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.

0 comments

52 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-07T20:03:54+00:00

    Scott, Thanks anyway!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-07T17:13:21+00:00

    I tried what you said but it will not find the invoke that was not updated online. It found the one that got the firm ware update though.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-06T21:02:02+00:00

    In case it has not been answered, I got it to pair and I am listening to a wonderful Bach Prelude right now.  I tried lots of things that failed but tried the following and succeeded:

    1. Power off HK, Power back on
    2. Go into Cortana Device Setup (I know, Cortana does not work but this fixed things)
    3. Go through the set-up process in the appl.  You will get to a point where it looks for the device and fails.  Leave the appl running and don't touch anything.
    4. Open Windows Settings (the gear)
    5. Go to Bluetooth
    6. Click on Add Bluetooth
    7. Wait a few seconds (less than 10) and you will see HK Invoke with part of your MAC address suddenly show up
    8. Pair the device (note that the Cortana Setup will still be trying to work - leave it alone for now)
    9. From #7, select the HK Invoke and pair it.
    10. Go to an audio appl (e.g., VLC or Player) and start something.  Music will come out.  If not, click on the speaker setting in the system tray.  I suspect it will be using your default speakers.  Click on the speaker listed and will see HK Invoke.
    11. With everything working, exit Cortana Setup (hit X in the upper right).

    You now have a great speaker, sadly without Cortana

    UPDATE:  As Mike, below, notes, if your Invoke is *not* updated, the procedure above may not/will not work.  In my case, the Invoke had been updated.  The procedure worked for me with the updated version.  I am not sure if you can "manually" update an Invoke.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-06T18:47:48+00:00

    yes, it seems you're correct and I suspect the update to Kill cortana support was done ahead of schedule.  Maybe in mid Nov as that's when I started having WIFI disconnet issues.  We knew Cortana was going to be discontinued, but it appears the update bricked the speaker by still making it a requirement to set up cortana first before we even have the option to set up bluetooth to anything else.  It appears MS dropped the ball on this one as after the update bluetooth pairing should have been # 1 set up option.  SMH.  Not sure if this can be fixed anymore as we can no longer connect to the internet even if they wanted to revert and fix properly anymore. I think MS should refund ful $ for the speaker since they bricked it!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-11-18T15:02:48+00:00

    Microsoft ends supports for Cortana for your speakers.

    https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-end-support-for-cortana-app-on-mobile-harman-kardon-speakers-in-early-2021/

    Yes Cortana will be exiting the Invoke speaker January 2021 although support has already stopped there's no reason why the Bluetooth shouldn't work. Seems like the issue is you have to set up Cortana before being allowed to use the bluetooth option however the Cortana app doesn't seem to pair the invoke for both Windows and iOS the work around seems to be - pair the invoke speaker w/Cortana on Android since iOS and Windows is not pairing the speaker. If this fails do a hard reset by pressing the reset button (small hole next to mic button) and starting over.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments