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1 Rookie
•
51 Posts
19
142997
January 29th, 2018 05:00
Unable to start the bluetooth stack service
Ever since a couple of weeks ago, every time I start my Dell XPS15 I get a BTTray error message saying:
ERROR: Unable to start the Bluetooth stack service.
When I check device manager, no errors are shown.
I updated the Bluetooth drivers to the latest version, but the error is still there.
Any ideas?
No Events found!
SYRNY
1 Message
0
July 17th, 2018 07:00
Yes! Rowzee's solution worked for my XPS 8900 after over a month of frustration (this same problem started in early June 2018). It also cured a problem with my SoundBot SB221 headphones where I had to delete and re-pair the headphones each time I wanted to use them. After removing WIDCOMM from installed apps, the SB221's are ready to use as soon as they are turned on. Thank you Rowzee!
tmlathroum
1 Message
0
July 18th, 2018 19:00
Same message same problem with XPS 13. Started about a month ago.
cinat
1 Message
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July 19th, 2018 04:00
thank you
it works!
Rougered
1 Message
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July 25th, 2018 02:00
Thanks, worked for me too!
bar5
2 Intern
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170 Posts
1
July 26th, 2018 11:00
@Rowzee wrote:
I've encountered the same error. In my case it was really an annoyance - all BT devices worked, but occasional BSOD due to btwaudio.sys. Tried updating drivers, etc. multiple times. Finally found a solution which worked for me (XPS13 Windows 10). I went to 'add / remove programs' and towards the end found WIDCOMM bluetooth driver. I removed it and system has been fine ever since.
Thank you so much Rowzee. So far it works. No more annoying messages about it. I have been trying for about a month to find a fix. :)
mtowery
10 Posts
4
August 4th, 2018 06:00
Same exact problem and @Rowzee's solution worked for me. I went through all the driver upgrades with Dell support and Dell even sent out repair person to replace my Bluetooth hardware. Next step was to have Dell support reload windows! but luckily before I agree to that a google search turned up this answer on this Dell forum. Too bad support does not check this forum and thanks again to Rowzee for sharing solution to uninstall WIDCOMM bluetooth driver.
As a FYI, I also notified Dell support that my touch pad was not working so they had the technician bring a new touch pad. The technician replacing my Bluetooth hardware noticed that the battery was expanded and pushing up my touch pad. The touch pad was fine and it was actually a battery issue. Note the diagnostic tests that Dell support ran did not find this, it took a physical inspection by repair technician. If your touch pad is not flush or your battery life is very short you may be having this issue also. You should get the battery replaced because the battery can start leaking acid and damage the computer.
Marsze
1 Rookie
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5 Posts
0
August 7th, 2018 22:00
Problem still appearing
solution still working
thanks Rowzee
Namorn
1 Message
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August 14th, 2018 15:00
This was driving me to distraction, thanks @Rowzee your solution worked for me too. Stress relief very much appreciated.
Race Coach
3 Posts
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August 17th, 2018 06:00
@Rowzee Thank you for posting solution. Worked for me!
NonOwe
2 Posts
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September 5th, 2018 13:00
Same issue that started about a week ago.
Graham57
3 Posts
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September 8th, 2018 07:00
Many thanks for that fix. It did the job on my DELL XPS 15 too. Much appreciated.
Graham
Nsumedha
1 Message
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September 8th, 2018 20:00
I did the same. Do I need to download that software again.
Public21
3 Posts
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September 19th, 2018 16:00
Getting rid of the Widcomm software fixed it for me on a Dell XPS laptop so more kudos to Rowzee. I had also been having random disconnects for my bluetooth mouse, so maybe that'll be fixed too.
Maybe it was coincidence, but when I removed the Widcomm software I started getting an error for the Logitech Download Assistance - LogiLDA.dll. The download assist was in startup so I stopped it. I had software for a Logitech remote and the MX Master mouse on my laptop, but the MX Master software had disappeared. Deleted LogiDLA.dll... reinstalled the mouse software and all good.
I thought I read somewhere that people removing the Widcomm software have had issues with software and data being deleted..... so maybe a good backup is wise before you start.
Public21
3 Posts
0
September 19th, 2018 16:00
I did the same. Do I need to download that software again.
I don't believe so - Broadcomm is not supplying updates for Widcomm any more - they say it is in Windows Update. I ran Windows Update and the Dell update for my XPS laptop and it did not show up as being needed.
If your machine doesn't need it, that is less cr#p slowing it down.
schnittker
1 Message
0
September 20th, 2018 09:00
I have been trying for over a year to get different Bluetooth headphones working on my xps 13. The headsets would pair and then connect in Bluetooth, but in different audio settings, they either did not show up as an audio device, or were shown to be not connected. Troubleshooters did not work. Then there were so many un-inspired suggestions to re-install drivers again and again. Re-pair the devices and so on.
Deleting Wincomm did the trick!!
Its really terrible that we have to do so much work just to get basic functionality.
I should note that by deleting Wincomm, a new error appeared related to my logitech mouse, but I found the solution to that as well by disabling the Logitech service. Everything (including the mouse) now work fine.
Thanks to this suggestion by a user which worked better than any of the tech support help available. Crowd-sourcing to the rescue!