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Can't pair Bluetooth keyboard - "Check the PIN and try connecting again."

Anonymous
2018-02-24T16:22:25+00:00

I've been using a Bluetooth keyboard with my Windows 10 laptop for months. Suddenly it wouldn't connect, and I made the mistake of removing it from my Bluetooth devices before discovering its batteries were dead. Now, with new batteries, it won't pair.

The problem is that when I go to Windows Settings and select Add Bluetooth or other device and put the keyboard into pairing mode, it shows up in the Add a device dialog, but when I click it, it says "Connecting..." for a long time and then says "Check the PIN and try connecting again." 

That's not the way it's supposed to work! That Add a device dialog is supposed to give me a PIN and then I'm supposed to type it on the keyboard. So I have no way to proceed and complete the pairing.

Troubleshooting steps I have done so far.

  • I've tried the process repeatedly.
  • I moved the keyboard very near to, and then many feet away from, the laptop.
  • I moved the laptop and the Bluetooth keyboard to other locations in house, further away from other wireless devices.
  • I turned off all other Bluetooth devices in house.
  • In Device Manager I deleted everything under the Bluetooth category, selecting to delete the driver files also, and rebooting. (After reboot, everything comes back by itself.)
  • The laptop vendor support app, and Windows updates, say the laptop is up to date.
  • I swapped Bluetooth keyboards between two PCs. This keyboard paired to that PC without issue. The PIN appeared, I typed it on the keyboard, and done. That keyboard from the other PC would not pair on this laptop, displaying the same issue as the other keyboard did.
  • I have seen the solutions offered by ThomasFulton and Hanuki4 in this thread on this forum, but I don't get the same dialogs that these answers refer to, so am unable to use the info.
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-06-05T21:48:55+00:00

    I Got It Working

    I had this exact same problem, was about to go and get a corded keyboard. 

    After some recent Windows 10 forced update the bluetooth keyboard stopped working

    after I had to replace the batteries I could not pair it. 

    It kept asking for a PIN but no matter what I entered it would no longer pair. 

    It would not pair in the Control Panel / Bluetooth & other devices section and

    did not give me an option to put in a code. 

    What worked finally for me what: 

    Start -> Run -> devicepairingwizard

    Select your keyboard, click next 

    Click 'or enter a code' link below

    On this screen a numeric code will be presented

    Quickly type in the code you see on the Wireless Keyboard and press Enter

    If successful it will install some files and pair!

    I had to try a couple of times to input the code quick enough but thankfully it worked.  

    Hope this helps out others.

    1400+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2018-07-19T22:16:49+00:00

    It worked for my Apple Keyboard! 

    Step 1: Click on Windows Start Button 

    Step 2: Type "Run"

    Step 3: When the Run Command appears, Type "Regedit"

    Step 4: Follow the screen below and locate... Computer\HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Bluetooth\ExceptionDB\Addrs

    Step 5: Delete the folder under Addrsas shown in my screenshot below

    Step 6: Try pairing your Apple Keyboard again, a new Apple Keyboard PIN will now be generated. Quickly enter the PIN you see on the Apple Keyboard and press Enter.

    Example is as shown below. Let me know if it worked for you. 

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-24T09:45:47+00:00

    Hello Everyone,

    This is how I solved this issue on my DELL running windows 10.

    Connect to the Keyboard as usual and when it prompts you to type a PIN, type a random one using a normal keyboard (not wireless). I used "1234".

    Now here comes the truth. After you click "connect", W10 keeps on trying connecting to the keyboard but does not tell you what you should do, so I tell you:

    Type the same PIN you entered before on your wireless keyboard and then press enter.

    I tryed this a couple of time and always worked for me.

    Hope this helps.

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-24T16:53:55+00:00

    Hello Ugo. Your answer is not helpful. I had already seen that page. The only fix that is only remotely related to my issue is this one:

    I don't know the PIN for an accessory I want to pair with. Where can I find it?

    Check the documentation for the accessory. (Often, the PIN is "0000" or "1234.") You may also be able to find the PIN on the accessory itself.

    I don't have an "accessory," I have a keyboard. And my keyboard did not come with a PIN; that's not the way keyboard pairing works. Read my third paragraph carefully.

    Other than that, the page contains generic, basic things that are not at all relevant to my particular issue. I would think that if you had actually read my post, instead of skimming for a couple of keywords, you would know that too.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-24T16:46:18+00:00

    Have you tried pairing through Devices and Printers instead? Also, if you are prompted for a PIN, try 0000 or 1111.

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/pair-a-bluetoo...

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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