Bluetooth - Allow a Device to Connect is grayed out

[Tom1204]

I have an HP Desktop, an Envy, running Windows 10 with the latest update. Recently, 2 bluetooth speakers that I have been able to pair previously, now no longer will pair with my desktop. The speakers do pair with my phone, so I believe the issue is the desktop, I have done all the basic steps recommended on this board and others. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers, run the Bluetooth troubleshooter etc etc.  When checking the bluetooth icon in the system tray, I noticed that the Allow Device to Connect is grayed out. In Settings however,  Allow Bluetooth Devices to Connect to this PC is checked.  Is there something in the registry that needs to be changed? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What model wifi adapter does your PC have?

If you don't know, go to the device manager, click to expand the Network Adapters device manager category and there you will find the name and model number of the wireless network adapter.

Bluetooth is an integral part of the wifi card.

[Tom1204]

In the Device Manager,  there is one Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The wifi adapter model will be listed under the Network Adapters device manager category.

[Tom1204]

That's it, it just says "Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Sounds to me like your PC has the old Ralink wifi/Bluetooth adapter, which doesn't work with the latest couple of releases of W10.   It completely disappears from the device manager.

You must not be using wifi to connect to the internet, or that wouldn't work either.

You can confirm that by going back to the device manager. 

At the top of the window, click on the View tab, select 'Show Hidden Devices.'

Now click to expand the Network Adapters device manager category, and no doubt you will see a Ralink RT3290 wifi adapter in light shade.

No fix other than to replace that card with a newer model or purchase an external USB Bluetooth adapter.

You would only be able to replace the internal card if there are two antenna cables currently connected to it.

[Tom1204]

Thank you Paul for your reply. It was spot on. The adapter was indeed there under Hidden Devices and it was a Ralink RT3290. I do use a cable and not wifi to connect my computer to the internet,  I will purchase a bluetooth adapter as suggested.

Thank you for your time and expert responses to my situation. Very much appreciated.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I haven't looked lately at what is out there right now (better models?), but I have two of these on my PC's one Dell and one HP and they work fine on W10.

W10 will even automatically install the driver a couple of minutes or less after detecting the device.

https://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-USB-Bluetooth-4-0-Compatible/dp/B007Q45EF4

[Tom1204]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had looked at a couple of them but if you have one and it works, sounds good to me. I went ahead and ordered.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

It has the 'been around forever' and reliable Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 chip, so that is why I bought it.