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

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  1. JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points
    2020-11-24T20:40:27+00:00

    Since we cannot configure, we cannot connect to WiFi, so no firmware update seems possible.

    Hold the microphone button for 5 seconds to enter the wifi setup mode.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-24T19:17:35+00:00

    I think you are correct.  Microsoft really doesn't stand behind its products and ideas.  It seems they give up just as they are on the cusp of something great.  I made the mistake of converting all of my software needs over to Microsoft.  Calendars, contacts, e-mail, Office 365 - you name it I changed over to Microsoft thinking I was making the right choice.  It seems like 1/2 the time there is some 1/2 **** excuse as to why some portion of a program or application isn't working as promised (usually when I need it the most).  Invoke/Cortana has just been icing on the cake.  Worst of all there seems to be no accountability or customer service to appeal.  We're relegated to these "chat rooms" to express our dismay and at most receive some technical jargon that no one understands on how to remedy the problem.  This only adds insult to the injury.  I am sick of Microsoft in general and then Bill Gates and all his COVID-19 solutions and ideas throw me over the edge.  It is a shame we have allowed a company with so little regard for excellence, responsibility, reliability, and customer service control so many important aspects of our lives.  People wouldn't put up with this same disregard out of a car company or any other consumer products company without screaming bloody murder.  Yet we give Microsoft some kind of a pass.  It all irks me to no end.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-11-24T19:01:19+00:00

    Thank you, but unfortunately, this is what is NOT working...  Per your link...

    Q: How will I update or configure my device if the Cortana mobile app is retiring?

    A: You can still use the Cortana mobile app to configure your device through early next year. After the Cortana mobile app retires, you will still be able to configure and update your Invoke through the Cortana Device Setup app on Windows 10.

    We are all having problems configuring with the iPhone App or via Windows 10.  Since we cannot configure, we cannot connect to WiFi, so no firmware update seems possible.

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  4. JosephT71 9,220 Reputation points
    2020-11-24T18:51:58+00:00

    The firmware update will be done via wifi, not bluetooth.

    https://support.harmankardon.com/us/en/howto/invoke-faq

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-11-24T18:40:30+00:00

    This is the prime reason I refuse to spend a penny on MS branded consumer hardware.

    Windows Mobile - killed.

    Windows Phone - killed. 

    Zune - killed.

    MS Band - killed. 

    Invoke - as good as dead, because it won't connect to Cortana and can't be used as a dumb BT player without setting up Cortana first. 

    About the only MS branded consumer device that is doing well is Xbox. Somebody in Redmond must've been looking the wrong way and let it survive that long without killing it. 

    If I was a MS employee, I'd be mightily embarrassed to admit it...

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