Why can't I connect my Bluetooth device?

There are a number of reasons why you may not be able to connect to a Bluetooth device (like a phone or headset):

  • Connection blocked or untrusted

    Some Bluetooth devices block connections by default, or require you to change a setting to allow connections to be made. Make sure that your device is setup to allow connections.

  • Bluetooth hardware not recognized

    Your Bluetooth adapter/dongle may not have been recognized by the computer. This could be because drivers for the adapter aren't installed. Some Bluetooth adapters aren't supported on Linux, and so you may not be able to get the right drivers for them. In this case, you will probably have to get a different Bluetooth adapter.

  • Adapter not switched on

    Make sure that your Bluetooth adapter is switched on. Click the Bluetooth menu in the top panel and check that it's not turned off.

  • Device Bluetooth connection switched off

    Check that Bluetooth is turned on on the device you're trying to connect to. For example, if you're trying to connect to a phone, make sure that it's not in airplane mode

  • No Bluetooth adapter in your computer

    Many computers do not have Bluetooth adapters. You can buy an adapter if you want to use Bluetooth.