Bluetooth Device Won't Connect To Computer

I am having problems connecting a Bluetooth device to a computer.

The Bluetooth device is a pair of wireless stereo earphones. The model is OR05 made by a German company OPBC GmbH.

The computer is an Acer Aspire XC-840 1.0 desktop PC and it runs on Windows 11 Home (x64) Version 23H2.

What is rather annoying is that these earphones connect with no problems to my iPhone and my laptop computer. The laptop is a much older computer and runs on Windows 10.

Yesterday, the computer that won’t connect to the earphones just continuously searched for a Bluetooth device when I asked it to do that. Today, it found the earphones but keeps saying they’re not responding. They still respond to my iPhone and laptop.

I don’t think the following is necessary but in case it is I have taken appropriate steps. I don’t think other devices that connect via Bluetooth to these earphones need to be turned off. However, in case I am wrong, I have taken the following steps: the laptop computer is switched off and I have turned off the Bluetooth function on my iPhone. Therefore, the computer that will not connect to them is the only device they could connect to.

I simply don’t know what to do in order to resolve this issue and would appreciate any help.

 

Are you putting the earphones in to pairing mode?

 

I'm afraid I don't understand your question. With any other device I've just checked Bluetooth is switched on, the device has detected my earphones and everything has worked just fine.

 

Yeah, Bluetooth devices have pairing mode, that is when they allow other devices to connect. If you check the manual for your earbuds, read the part about pairing.
Sometimes they are in pairing mode when you first turn them on, so try turning them off and back on, then see if the computer detects them.
Some devices will go to pairing mode if you turn them off and hold the power button for a few seconds while they are turned on.
Some audio devices will announce "Pairing mode" when you do this, others have a tiny light that will flash blue and red (usually).
If you've never done this my guess is they will be in pairing when you turn them on.
Bluetooth devices do not stay in pairing mode for security reasons.

A quick Google of that model number, looks like they flash blue and white when you open the case?

 

Thank you for your ongoing help with this issue. I appreciate it.

I'm grateful you took the time to look up the model and find something about it.

I will do some research on it and now I know I need to pair them I will ensure they're paired.

I'll come back to the thread to say whether I've resolved the issue or if I'm still stuggling.

Thanks!

 

I know when I pair something with a Windows computer (Win 7 because I don't run 10 or 11), compared to android, I have to do things that I don't on android. When pairing mode is on, I have to open Devices and printers and add the device. I'm not done yet. I then have to open Sound in the control panel and select the bluetooth device and set it as the default. And of course you have to be sure bluetooth is turned on, on the computer before you start the pairing process.

 

I still cannot solve this problem.

I did a Google search but didn’t find anything specific for my earphones.

I did find the fact out generically that this kind of earphone should automatically be in pairing mode by simply being switched on.

I found an article* in PC magazine on how to pair Bluetooth earphones to a PC. I followed its instructions. I still cannot connect the earphones to this PC.

Because my PC found nothing it offered to run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter. It ran and said it couldn’t solve my problem.

They must be in pairing mode because they do connect to my other PC and to my iPhone.

I loathe technology. It never does what it is supposed to do.

*https://uk.pcmag.com/headphones/117...hones-and-earphones-to-your-phone-or-computer

 

Can't find much on your headphones, but looks like they're Bluetooth 5.0. Maybe it's a Windows setting. Seems like you have "Discovery" turned on. Did you see an option that says “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC”?

 

Have you paired any bluetooth device with the Aspire XC-840 1.0? I ask because looking at the specs
https://www.acer.com/gb-en/desktops...e-classic-desktops/aspire-xc/pdp/DT.BH6EK.005
I don't see bluetooth listed. Are you sure it has bluetooth?

 

The "UB11" version has Bluetooth 5.0, so looks like it came in many flavors.

 

I have no other Bluetooth devices so haven't tried connecting anything else to this desktop PC.

As far as I'm aware this PC does have Bluetooth. I'd be surprised if it didn't. I thought that was more or less standard now. In my hidden taskbar items next to the volume symbol and the date and time (I forget the name for this area) there is the symbol for Bluetooth and it's been there ever since I've had the machine.

 

I can't find anything and neither can other people. It's so frustrating. They came with absolutely no user guide and I can't find one.

 

Have you tried going into Device Manager, uninstalling the Bluetooth drivers/device, and rebooted the machine? I consistently have to force a stop with Chrome on my Note20, because it freezes and doesn't load pages. I have to stop and reboot Chrome, or the phone. Sometimes a hard reset does wonders...

 

No, because that isn't something that would occur to me and you're the first person to suggest it.

If I do that, how easy/straightforward is it to re-install the Bluetooth drivers/device?

 

Windows will load the Microsoft approved, vendor supplied, basic driver for the device at Startup. In fact, "deleting the current driver" helps on the second reboot if it still doesn't connect...

 

Thanks!

 

I have Windows 11. I don't know how to do this in Windows 11. I did know in previous versions of Windows. Could you please advise me how to do it or direct to a link which tells me how to do it.

Thanks.

 

Top 4 Ways to Uninstall Drivers From Windows 11 - Guiding Tech

 

Thank you!

P.S. I get your username and avatar. How can your MajorGeeks 'rank' be the name of another brand of coffee? Please feel free to PM me with a response, if you choose to give one, should you not want to provide a public answer.

 

This article really helped. The way it gets you to open Device Manager it looked to me as it has always looked as shown in the attached image (cf. Bltth.jpg). When I posted in #17 it was because the way I had found to open Device Manager it looked as it does in my second attached image (cf. DvcMngr.jpg).

To uninstall Bluetooth, and have Windows load the Microsoft approved, vendor supplied, basic driver for the device at Startup when I reboot do I uninstall the main item in the list, "Bluetooth", one of the particular sub-items, e.g. "Bluetooth Device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI)", or all the sub-items, either together or individually? The list I refer to can be seen in the first attached image (cf. Bltth.jpg).

 

I am sorry about post #20. I clicked to attach images. I have no idea why the two files(both .jpg) have not attached as attachments but have appeared in the post itself above what I wrote.

 

Before you go down the route of uninstalling the Bluetooth devices, does your desktop computer connect to your iPhone (or see any other bluetooth devices) via bluetooth? This is to eliminate faulty Bluetooth devices or incompatible device drivers on your desktop.

At the manufacturer's website for your Acer desktop, are there any driver updates listed?

Next, attempt a forward update on each Bluetooth device: look at each of the Bluetooth device properties and view the driver tab and click "Update Driver" and "Search automatically for drivers". Reboot and see if Bluetooth connections can be established.

Otherwise, uninstall each of the 4 devices and reboot to reset the devices back to default setting.

In each test of your Bluetooth ensure it (both earphones and computer) are not paired with other Bluetooth devices that may block the pairing with your earphones.

Also, the following may help in resetting and connecting:

Reset Earphones:
- On your earphones, check if there's a **reset button** (usually a small hole). Use a paperclip or a pin to press and hold it for a few seconds.
- Then, try pairing them again with your PC.

Restart Bluetooth Services:
- Sometimes, restarting the Bluetooth services can help:
- Press **Windows + R**, type **services.msc**, and hit **Enter**.
- Locate **Bluetooth Support Service**.
- Right-click on it and select **Restart**.

Check for Interference:
- Ensure there are no other electronic devices (such as Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, or cordless phones) interfering with the Bluetooth signal.
- Move your PC and earphones closer to each other to minimize interference.
----
PS as to my user name, I was here in the early days of MG and the camaraderie was different in those days with a different set of members and moderators. A number of members had their user nickname modified, me included.

 

I'm going to look into this first. I'm glad you suggested this because I was wondering if my iPhone counted as a Bluetooth device. Previously, I've only ever connected my iPhone to my desktop to, for example, import photos.

I'd been wondering if my iPhone would count as a Bluetooth device. I'm going to try and connect it prior to completing this post. Before, I do, I would note I had tried a different set of Bluetooth earphones. The desktop PC did find them. However, when I tried to connect the the PC first said "Connecting ..." then kept saying, in red, "Try to connect this device again", or words to that effect.

It does not find my iPhone. For the avoidance of doubt, I had Bluetooth turned on, on my iPhone. I even rested the phone on top of the desktop's tower case. So, if it was going to locate my iPhone it should have done.

 

Yes, there are but it's rather unhelpful (to me anyway) as it lists Bluetooth drivers with different manufacturers' names (cf. attached image) and I don't know which one to choose.

Couldn't this be done instead of looking for updates on the PC manufacturer's website? Wouldn't it achieve the same outcome?

 

When you look at the properties (double click each device or right click and select properties) of your Bluetooth devices from the MS Windows Device Manager, they should list the manufacturer of the device and therefore it is that device driver you require.

Not necessarily, as you will get generic drivers not provided by your Desktop manufacturer that may or may not necessarily be the best or work. Supposedly, the Desktop manufacturer would have done their job by selecting compatible optimal drivers for the devices, hence desktop manufacturer first, the internet second. Even Windows Update may offer you device drivers.

 

My problem is that the PC will not find any Bluetooth devices. So what is appearing in the list under Bluetooth in Device Manager?

 

The Bluetooth PCIe card. If you expand the Bluetooth category, right click on the device and left click "Properties" it should show you the manufacturer. Does the Acer site have an "Autodetect" tool for drivers?

For reference, not saying this will be necessary, BUT my ThinkPad refused to show available wireless networks when clicking on the Toolbar icon post Windows 10 install. I tried sixty ways from Sunday to fix it manually. Ended up doing a Windows reset, and now everything works right...

 

When I open Device Manager there are four items listed under "Bluetooth". None of them are obvious to me what they are. I posted an image showing this in post #20. I don't know if it means anything to you.

I have reset Windows in the past on previous machines when I was having problems. I'm reluctant to do it with this computer because other than not being able to connect these headphones it's working fine. Plus this computer was purchased with Windws 11. So it's never been through a Windows 10 to Windows 11 install.

I'm still gradually working through the solutions. I am grateful for your help but having limited time to work on this it's not a high priority. I have speakers and two different types of headphone so it's not as if I can't listen to music on this computer because I can.

It's mainly a frustration than a major problem. I'd not have been surprised if they wouldn't connect to my laptop which by IT standards is very old and runs on Windows 10 and my iPhone, again by modern technology standards ancient, although it does have the latest version of iOs. Whhey they won't work on a PC that's about a year old with the latest version of Windows I fail to understand.

I don't know if Acer has an autodetect tool for drivers but I'm going to find out. Thnaks for that. It's not something I'd have known.

I'll continue trying the solutions and will report the results even to tell you which one worked should I have success.

 

Right click on the first item and left click "Properties" and hopefully it should show the manufacturer of the Bluetooth device.

 

Acer do not have an autodetect for device drivers.

Acer does have an .exe file you can download which when run tells you your PC’s SNID and serial numer. Put either of these into a search on Acer’s site and it gives you a list of all available driver updates.

In the order in which the four bluetooth items in the image in post #20 are listed the manufacturers are Microsoft, Qualcomm Atheros Communications, Microsoft and Microsoft. Neither of those two organisations are listed in the bluetooth driver updates offered for my computer by Acer.

 

Qualcomm is the maker of your Bluetooth card. Let's try something that tends to be a bit more detailed than Device Manager at times. If we can get the model number for the Bluetooth card, it makes things a ton easier. Please download Speccy, install it, and post the report.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/speccy.html

 

I’ve downloaded Speccy. I ran it and from its report it says the following about my Bluetooth.

 

Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 Wireless Network Adapter

WE HAVE A WINNER!!
Looks like this may be the proper driver for your card.

https://global-download.acer.com/GD...3=ASPIRE C24-963&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

 

So, do I just install that? Do I need to uninstall the current driver first? Before I install this driver you've found I'm going to create a Restore Point. If this new driver causes issues will restoring the PC to that Restore Point resolve thie issue?

 

Yes. As long as System Restore does it's job, the system will revert to it's previous state. Uninstalling the previous driver is S.O.P. and so is a restart. Given the option, you can delete the old driver as you are creating a restore point first.

For the record, having a system image as a back up ain't a bad idea. If you are doing anything... shall we say "risque" online and catch something nasty... having a drive for the purpose and disconnecting it from the system ain't a bad idea either.

 

I use CCleaner on the PC. It's told me the Qualcomm Atheros needs a driver update. I wish it had told me sooner. I'm wondering if it's a good idea to let CCleaner handle this rather than me doing it manually. What would your opinion be?

 

Give Ccleaner a shot if you don't feel comfortable doing it the long way.

 

I don't see what I have to lose. I'm sure CCleaner will do it right. I'm going to create a restore point beforehand just to be on the safe side. I can't see how I'll be worse off. Bluetooth may not work afterwards but that's the situation I'm in now.

 

I cannot do it using CCleaner. It seems you have to have the pro-version (which I don't intend buying) to use it to update a driver.

For the avoidance of doubt can you please clarify the following are the steps I need to take to get the newer version of the driver?

• Create a System Restore Point
• Delete the older version of the driver
• Restart
• Install the newer version of the driver
• Restart

I'd also like to check, when I do third item above, i.e. restart after deleting older version of the driver, won't Windows attempt to install a driver for the device and perhaps a generic one rather than the Qualcomm one?

 

Oh yeah. Almost forgot. You can turn off Automatic Updates prior to restart. You could also air gap the machine, and disconnect if from the network for the procedure. Alternately, if the update does it's job, it should remove any superseded drivers. One would think Microsoft has this one. Perhaps not. Ah, the teacher becomes the student...