31

Whenever I connect a Bluetooth speaker or headset, the device remains connected as long as it is in use. However, if it is not in use even for a few minutes, the Bluetooth automatically turns off. And when I try to switch it on again, it won't. I need to restart my laptop and then only Bluetooth works again.

Is there any way by which I can stop Bluetooth from turning off by itself? Also, why won't it start again without needing to restart the laptop?

3 Answers 3

24

See below for what worked for me. Bluetooth could not be toggled on or off from applet, nor from settings effectively. It just turned itself off for no reason. Reboot of OS would not work either. Here is someone else's fix and explanation that worked for me. PS Bluetooth applet image is still invisible.

  • update bluez to >=5.28.2

    18.04 ships with a buggy bluez package for now; newer version is available from this PPA :

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bluetooth/bluez
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install bluez
    
5
  • Thanks for posting that. Funny that they give you a message that it's an unstable version when you enable the PPA... obviously the released version is unstable already!
    – Dav Clark
    Jan 9, 2019 at 21:27
  • I had rather intermittent, crackling bluetooth speaker connection which was solved by this fix
    – brewmanz
    Jan 11, 2019 at 22:25
  • 2
    thanks, works for me in Ubuntu 18.04.2 (upgrade from 5.48 to 5.50 by ppa). Jun 5, 2019 at 22:54
  • 1
    Did not work! Even updating, bluetooth does not turn on. I think the bluetooth card is disabled, it's gone! ;( Apr 21, 2020 at 16:05
  • 1
    Err:13 ppa.launchpad.net/bluetooth/bluez/ubuntu focal Release 404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80] Reading package lists... Done E: The repository 'ppa.launchpad.net/bluetooth/bluez/ubuntu focal Release' does not have a Release file. N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default. N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
    – Pereira
    Apr 19, 2021 at 3:07
17

I restart it in the terminal, and it works:

Code:

$ sudo -i
# bluetoothctl
[bluetooth]# power off
[bluetooth]# power on
[bluetooth]# scan on
[bluetooth]# connect XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX (your bluetooth address)
[Arc Touch Mouse SE]# trust
[Arc Touch Mouse SE]# pair
[Arc Touch Mouse SE]# unblock
[Arc Touch Mouse SE]# power off
[bluetooth]# power on
2
  • bluetoothctl does not open! the bluetooth card burned? Apr 21, 2020 at 16:06
  • what if it shows "No default controller available" after power off! Jul 10, 2020 at 9:58
9

My problem is similar, but it happens only after the computer wakes up from the suspend. It only happens to Bluetooth speaker; there is no such issue with Bluetooth mouse. The current solution I find is to reboot the Bluetooth service bysudo service bluetooth restart.

2
  • I keep having to restart all the time. @newbuntie's suggestion to upgrade the packages seemed to resolve the issue. Jul 10, 2019 at 7:35
  • Did not work! Even updating, bluetooth does not turn on. I think the bluetooth card is disabled, it's gone! ;( Apr 21, 2020 at 16:08

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