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. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T18:12:33+00:00

    I just checked and I have indeed been updated. I can connect with my iPhone and my iPad, the whole thing works just fine.

    BUT I CANNOT connect with my Windows 10 desktop, it either does not see the Bluetooth connection in anyway, or in the rare case that it does, the connection fails, and the two devices are 18" apart. I have verified I can see other devices.

    Clearly something is broken. Ironic that MS made it work with Apple products, but not Windows.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T18:33:09+00:00

    I just tested your suspicion with a friend's iPhone at the office and the BT connection to my Invoke worked perfectly. That's amazing... and sad at the same time. Been using Microsoft products exclusively for 30 years. This is beyond words.

    UPDATE: I discovered that I still had Invoke BT drivers installed in Device Manager. Checking my BT devices, my Invoke was listed... twice. I deleted the pairings and my Invoke connected immediately. Listening to music now. Check to may sure all instances of your Invoke are removed before trying to connect. Don't think my Android phone will be as easy. Never connected it to my Invoke in the past, and there is no old Invoke pairing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-31T13:22:29+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!

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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.

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