Bluetooth Troubleshooting Updated Content

content/bluetooth.md

@@ -15,18 +15,105 @@ section: network-troubleshooting
 tableOfContents: true
 ---
 
-## Important Notes About Bluetooth
+### Basic Troubleshooting
 
-Bluetooth is a bit odd.
-There are a lot of factors that go into whether Bluetooth devices work together as expected.
+Bluetooth issues can be troubleshooted in several ways.  The first thing to check is toggling airplane mode which will sometimes get Bluetooth functioning again.  Next, make sure Bluetooth is enabled in the top bar, or in the <u>Bluetooth</u> system settings.
+
+Navigate to the upper-right corner of the screen and click on the Settings icon. A window will appear. In the Wi-Fi tab, you'll find the Airplane Mode toggle. Switch it on and off to enable and disable Airplane Mode.
+
+![navigate to settings tab](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_10.png)
+
+![airplane mode toggle](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_11.png)
+
+Turn on Bluetooth and confirm it is enabled in the top bar, or in the Bluetooth system settings.
+
+![bluetooth top bar](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_13.png)
+
+![bluetooth system settings](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_12.png)
+
+Using systemd:
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl start bluetooth
+```
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl enable bluetooth
+```
+
+Check the status of the bluetooth
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl status bluetooth
+```
+
+Sample output:
+
+![bluetooth status systemd](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_5.png)
+
+There is a program called <u>Bluetooth Manager</u>. It can sometimes pair and trust Bluetooth devices better than the default <u>Bluetooth</u> settings. Install it with:
+
+Install Bluetooth related software with this command:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt install blueman
+```
+
+> After reinstalling the above packages, fully shut down the machine and then power it back on, rather than rebooting. This ensures the hardware completely resets.
+
+Open Bluetooth Manager by pressing Super + Space and search:
+
+![bluetooth manager](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_2.png)
+
+Remove the device, allowing for a fresh, new connection.
+
+![Remove device](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_3.png)
+
+Click search and pair the device again:
+
+![Pair device](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_4.png)
+
+If `tlp` is installed, then there may be settings interfering with Bluetooth functionality.  Edit this file and disable Wifi and Bluetooth power saving features:
+
+```bash
+sudo nano /etc/tlp.conf
+```
 
 ### Bluetooth version
 
 Bluetooth 5.0 is backwards compatible with older Bluetooth versions, but older bluetooth versioned devices are not always compatible with newer versions or devices.
 
+### Confirm the bluetooth version of your device and make sure it is 5.0 or higher
+
+Use bluetoothctl, on your terminal type:
+
+```bash
+bluetoothctl
+```
+
+If you have multiple Bluetooth controllers, choose the one you wish to connect to the device.
+
+Check list of controllers:
+```
+List
+```
+
+Select the controller you want to use:
+
+```
+select <mac address>
+```
+
+Check the version:
+```
+version
+```
+
+![bluetoothctl version](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_1.png)
+
 ### Signal Interference
 
-Bluetooth uses the same bandwidth as the 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi band, and in most of our machines it is on the same chip as the Wi-Fi module. They usually have two antennae, one for Bluetooth, and one for Wi-Fi, but it is possible for other Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices signals to cross and to cause connection issues. If users are in an area crowded with other Wi-Fi networks or devices, the interference from these outside sources can impact performance and range.
+Bluetooth uses the same bandwidth as the 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi band, and in some machines it is on the same chip as the Wi-Fi module. The Wi-Fi module usually has two antennae, one for Bluetooth, and one for Wi-Fi, but it is possible for other Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices signals to cross and to cause connection issues. If users are in an area crowded with other Wi-Fi networks or devices, the interference from these outside sources can impact performance and range.
 
 ### Device Specific Differences
 
@@ -44,8 +131,6 @@ As the Linux kernel develops, support for more devices are added. Sometimes Blue
 
 Similar to the kernel versions. Improvements are often made in newer versions of Ubuntu and Pop!\_OS. Running software updates is always a good idea, followed by a reboot.
 
-<!--## Bluez Versions-->
-
 ### Configuration Issues
 
 Sometimes Bluetooth devices are working correctly, but something in settings needs to be reset.
@@ -68,48 +153,79 @@ Bluetooth audio devices, such as headphones and speakers, usually default to the
 Bluetooth devices with microphones built in, can be used if the device supports HFP/HSP. However, without the technology that companies like Sony have patented, the solution is to divide up the audio stream so that some of it is used for audio out and some for audio in.
 This process lowers the sound quality of the stream when in HSP/HFP mode, so audio may be "tinny," compressed (lower-fidelity), or at a lower volume. That is expected behavior.
 
-## Bluetooth Troubleshooting
-
-Bluetooth issues can be troubleshooted in several ways.  The first thing to check is toggling airplane mode which will sometimes get Bluetooth functioning again.  Next, make sure Bluetooth is enabled in the top bar, or in the <u>Bluetooth</u> system settings.
+### Using bluetoothctl
 
-Then, try reinstalling Bluetooth related software with this command, depending on the verison of Pop!\_OS you're using.
+Using bluetoothctl over a UI offers more control, flexibility, and efficiency, especially for advanced users. It allows precise management of Bluetooth devices via the terminal, which is faster than navigating through graphical menus. For troubleshooting, bluetoothctl provides direct feedback and logs, which can help identify connection issues, detect devices, or configure settings in real time. It’s also useful for headless or remote setups where a UI might not be available.
 
-*For Pop!\_OS 22.04 or higher:*
+To get started, ensure Bluetooth is unblocked by running rfkill to check and enable it if necessary. Use the command:
 
 ```bash
-sudo apt reinstall --purge bluez gnome-bluetooth
+rfkill unblock bluetooth
 ```
+to ensure that Bluetooth is not disabled at the system level.
 
-*For Pop!\_OS 21.10 or 20.04:*
+Type:
+```
+bluetoothctl
+```
+![bluetoothctl](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_6.png)
 
-```bash
-sudo apt install --reinstall bluez gnome-bluetooth indicator-bluetooth pulseaudio-module-bluetooth
+If you have multiple Bluetooth controllers, choose the one you wish to connect to the device:
+
+Check list of controllers:
+```
+list
 ```
 
-After reinstalling the above packages, fully shut down the machine and then power it back on, rather than rebooting. This ensures the hardware completely resets.
+Check controller information:
+```
+info <controller_address>
+```
 
-If `tlp` is installed, then there may be settings interfering with Bluetooth functionality.  Edit this file and disable Wifi and Bluetooth power saving features:
+Select the controller you want to use:
+```
+select <mac address>
+```
 
-```bash
-sudo gedit /etc/default/tlp
+Make sure to power it on
+```
+power on
 ```
+![bluetoothctl power on](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_7.png)
 
-### Useful Programs
+Look for the device you want to connect:
+```
+scan on
+```
+Add trusted device
+```
+trust <mac address>
+```
+See list of paired devices:
 
-There is a program called <u>Bluetooth Manager</u> which is included with <u>XFCE</u>. It can sometimes pair and trust Bluetooth devices better than the default <u>Bluetooth</u> settings. Install it with:
+```
+devices
+```
 
-```bash
-sudo apt install blueman
+To connect the device:
+```
+connect <mac address>
 ```
+![bluetootctl list scan trust connect](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_8.png)
 
-Then, run <u>Bluetooth Manager</u>. Check for the device being trusted, and also try re-pairing in that program.
+Successful device connection:
+
+![bluetooothctl device connected](/images/bluetooth/bluetooth_9.png)
 
 ### Useful Commands
 
 To show if the Bluetooth module (driver) is loaded, and see what system messages have been logged:
 
 ```bash
 lsmod | grep bluetooth
+```
+
+```bash
 dmesg | grep Bluetooth
 ```
 
@@ -141,6 +257,9 @@ To manually reload the Bluetooth USB kernel module:
 
 ```bash
 sudo rmmod btusb
+```
+
+```bash
 sudo modprobe btusb
 ```
 
@@ -156,18 +275,6 @@ To reset the Bluetooth device profiles and require re-pairing all devices (this
 sudo rm -r /var/lib/bluetooth/
 ```
 
-*For Pop!\_OS 21.10 or 20.04:*
-
-Older Pop!\_OS versions used a PulseAudio module for Bluetooth audio. It's typically loaded by default, but sometimes a manual load can get Bluetooth headsets working again:
-
-```bash
-pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover
-```
-
-## Additional Info
-
-Here are a few additional tidbits about the Bluetooth system that may help with troubleshooting.
-
 ### Controlling audio
 
 Once you are connected to a Bluetooth speaker, you may need to change where your current audio is "routed". You can get a more advanced interface to settings on audio with the program called PulseAudio Volume Control. To install, run this command: