Bluetooth first aid

Note: For Bluetooth pairing no additional software is required, it is fully handled by Windows.
Again: There is no need to install the Magic Utilities to pair your device.

Windows update breaks paired devices

In rare cases a Windows (10) update breaks existing Bluetooth device pairings. Even worse you might not be able to (re)pair your device again. Let's (try to) fix this...

Uninstall all Magic Utilities

Usually, this step is not necessary, but you never know.

To ensure the Magic Utilities are not the cause of your pairing issues, uninstall all versions of all Magic Utilities. Your license or trial period will not be affected.

Prepare pairing properly

Windows 10 is often guessing

The new Windows 10 settings interface is not always correct in displaying information when it comes to Bluetooth devices. It's often a guess, so do not trust what you see there. You need to wait a minute or two until it's correct, Really! Have patience.

1. Turn off all your Magic Devices.

Most Magic devices have a power toggle switch, so turn it off there.

The silver Magic Trackpad 1 (2011) and the Apple Wireless Keyboards (2007-2011) have a round power switch on the right side.

  • Press and hold its power button down,
  • Until you see the green light (top surface of the device near the power button) goes out.
  • Release the power button.

In case the green light is blinking repeat the steps above.

2. Remove your Magic Bluetooth device

In case your Magic device is already paired remove it from Windows Bluetooth devices. In Windows Settings > Devices, select your magic device, click the Remove button and confirm.

If you can not remove a paired device

This is usually the case if you paired the device with a different Bluetooth adapter. Follow these steps:

  • Open the Windows Device Manager,
  • From the menu select View > Show hidden devices.
  • Right click on the (dimmed) device you can't remove,
  • Select Uninstall device and confirm.

3. Disable the Bluetooth radio on all nearby computers

To ensure the right computer sees your Magic device for pairing, turn off Bluetooth on all other nearby computers. This includes mobile phones, laptops, and desktop computers as well as Bluetooth speakers.

4. Wait until Windows updates it's Bluetooth device cache

Keep your Magic device turned off and open the Windows Add Bluetooth Device dialog. If you see any Magic device there, wait until they are gone (remember all your devices are turned off so the can't be there). This can take a minute or two.

Instead of waiting you can also just restart your computer.

Pair your device

Now Windows has cleared all its caches you can pair your Magic device.

Bring your Magic device in pairing mode

Just turn your device on and keep it on, this is critical! Do not turn it off and back on again.

Most Magic devices have a power toggle switch, so turn it on there.

The silver Magic Trackpad 1 (2011) and the Apple Wireless Keyboards (2007-2011) have a round power switch on the right side.

  • Press and hold its power button down,
  • Until you see the green light starts blinking.
  • Release the power button.

In case the green light is only going off repeat the steps above.

Now follow the pairing steps of your Magic Keyboard.

Pairing is still not working!

That's a rare event but does happen, so let's try harder. Repeat all steps from above (except the pairing) and then reset your entire Bluetooth configuration, see below.

Reset your Bluetooth configuration

Please read this section before you actually do it. You might need to download your BIOS user manual.

Repeat all steps from above (except the pairing). Save your work and close all applications.

Ensure all Bluetooth devices have been removed

  • Open the Windows Device Manager.
  • From the menu select View > Show hidden devices.
  • Expand the Bluetooth branch.
  • Remove any dimmed (hidden) Bluetooth entries
    (Bluetooth device help is above, Bluetooth adapter help is below).

Now you should see 3 (or 2) nodes here:

  • Generic Bluetooth Adapter (this name might be different on your computer)
  • Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator
  • Microsoft Bluetooth LE Enumerator

If you see more nodes, you still have Bluetooth devices paired, remove them all, see above.

The next steps will delete all leftovers from previously paired devices.

1. Uninstall your Bluetooth adapter

  • Right-click your Bluetooth Adapter.
  • Select Uninstall device.
  • Confirm the dialog.

Now Shut down your computer, you need to prevent that the Bluetooth adapter gets automatically reinstalled again.

2. Disable / Remove your Bluetooth adapter

With the step above you removed the adapter from Windows, but it needs to be removed entirely from your system. Do not start Windows again until the Bluetooth adapter is gone.

If you have an external USB dongle as Bluetooth adapter:

  • Unplug this USB dongle.

If you have a built-in Bluetooth adapter (usually in laptops):

  • Make sure you know how to enter the BIOS, often it's pressing F12 after turning the computer on.
  • Turn your computer on, enter the BIOS and disable the Bluetooth adapter/radio there. Refer the computers user manual for this step.
  • Save your BIOS settings.

3. Restart Windows

  • Now start Windows.
  • Open the Device Manager and verify that there is no Bluetooth node.
  • Shut down your computer again.

Apparently, this restart without a Bluetooth Adapter is required otherwise Windows still remembers your old Bluetooth configuration.

4. Enable your Bluetooth Adapter again

If you have an external USB dongle as Bluetooth adapter:

  • Plugin your USB dongle back in.

If you have a built-in Bluetooth adapter (usually in laptops):

  • Turn on your computer
  • Enter the BIOS
  • Enable your Bluetooth adapter radio.
  • Save the BIOS settings.

5. Start Windows

Start Windows. Now you have a new Bluetooth configuration, and paring should work again.

6. Install the Magic Utilities

After you have paired your Magic devices, install the Magic Utilities again.