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Troubleshoot Bluetooth connection issues

If the app fails to initiate a connection to the Bluetooth adapter, check the followings

- Is the OBD adapter powered up? Check the LEDs on the OBD adapter and make sure vehicle ignition is set to ON position

- Has the OBD adapter paired to your current PC/Phone? OBD adapter must paired to the device correctly before launching the OBDdash app.

- Does the PC/Phone within Bluetooth radio range? Try move the PC/phone closer to the OBD adapter

- Are there any other app connected to the same OBD adapter? if so, stop them using the Windows Task Manager. There can only be one connection made to the Bluetooth device at any given time on Windows devices.

- Is this the first time using OBD dash on this OBD adapter? if so proceed to the next section on diagnose Bluetooth initial connection issues

- If you had use this app on this OBD adapter before, and it worked then but not any more, please see section below on how to re-setup the Bluetooth OBD adapter

Troubleshoot initial connection issue

If the PC/Phone and the OBD adapter is paired correctly, the app should prompt to ask for permission at the very 1st connection attempt. If you initiate the connection and the app returns connection failure straightaway, it is a sign that the OBD adapter might not be paired correctly to your PC/Phone.

 

This failure is very common on Windows 8.1/RT devices, have also been reported on Windows 10 devices (to the less extend). The main cause for this issue is that Windows sometimes reported the Bluetooth device is paired while it is still in the process of setting up the hardware. 

If you are using Windows 8.1/RT/10 PC, you can check the hardware setup progress from the Control Panel's device and printer applet.

It is reported to us that some of our users found greater success in setting up the Bluetooth OBD adapter using the 'Device and Printer' control panel applet. Please refer to the 'Setup Bluetooth OBD' page for more details on the actual steps.

Troubleshoot intermittent connection issues

If you found yourself in a situation where the app can no longer connect to the OBD adapter, the easiest way out is to setup the Bluetooth pairing again. For reasons unknown to us, it would appears that sometimes the PC/Phone lost the pairing information related to the Bluetooth adapter even though it is still listed on the Windows' Bluetooth device list.

To re-setup Bluetooth device pairing:

  1. Insert the OBD adapter to the vehicle, set vehicle ignition to ON, check to ensure OBD adapter is powered up

  2. If your OBD adapter is equipped with a reset button (such as OBDLink series adapter) press and hold that button for 50 seconds to reset the adapter back to factory default setting (on OBDLink adapter, Green power LED should blink rapidly)

  3. Go to your PC/Phone's Bluetooth setting screen

  4. Remove the OBD device from the list (even though it might said 'Paired' or 'Connected')

  5. Turn OFF Bluetooth from the PC/Phone's Bluetooth setting

  6. Remove the OBD adapter from the vehicle

  7. Restart your PC/Phone

  8. Insert the OBD adapter back to the vehicle again, ensure it is powered up

  9. Go to the PC/Phone's Bluetooth setting screen

  10. Turn ON Bluetooth, the PC/Phone should start hunting for Bluetooth device nearby. If you are using Windows 10 Creator update, tap the 'Add Bluetooth or other device' button to start the process

  11. If your OBD adapter does not show up on the list, it is possible that the adapter might not be broadcasting its ID, try remove and reinsert the OBD adapter from the vehicle (or press its Bluetooth reset button if equipped)

  12. From the prompt to pair the device

  13. On PC/Tablet, go to control panel 'Device and Printer' check the Bluetooth setup process, wait until it finishes (might take up to a minute or even more depends on the hardware)

  14. Start the  OBDdash app again if you are sure that the setup process is completed. If the OBDdash app has been start before the setup process is completed, use task manager to terminate the process and restart the app again so the updated device info can be retrieved. Try connect again, should work.

Additional troubleshoot

If the above troubleshoot fails resolve the connection issue you have, please use the support link on the Microsoft app store listing to reach us.

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