Windows 10: "Add a device" or "Add a Printer" dialog does not open

I have recently bought a bluetooth adapter for use with my pc and I have not been able to add a device. If i go through windows settings, "Add Bluetooth or other device" -> "Bluetooth", the dialog just closes. I tried adding through Devices and Printers in Control Panel and neither "Add a device" or "Add a printer " successfully open a dialog. There does seem to be some window opening for a second before closing.


I have tried SFC and DISMwith and without an external source scans and it shows as no integrity violations detected. I have tried reinstalling the bluetooth device drivers and I also know that I had this issue with a previous bluetooth adapter but thought it was a fault of the adapter.


I can see this error in event viewer when I try from settings but I cant see anything when I try from control panel


Faulting application name: ShellExperienceHost.exe, version: 10.0.19041.421, time stamp: 0x24462af8

Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 10.0.19041.421, time stamp: 0xed02c0bc

Exception code: 0xc0000409

Fault offset: 0x000000000010b3cc

Faulting process ID: 0x5f0

Faulting application start time: 0x01d66b50e98f9cd7

Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\ShellExperienceHost.exe

Faulting module path: C:\Windows\System32\KERNELBASE.dll

Report ID: 4c1d79ee-6387-4dce-aac0-0b770de5ba98

Faulting package full name: Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.19041.421_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy

Faulting package-relative application ID: App


So I assume this error is to do with settings app crashing more than the actual root cause.


I am on build 19041 but I have had this issue for about the last year before I have attempted to fix it just now. Not sure what else I can do

:)

 

"Add a device" or "Add a printer" dialog

Hi,

I am running Windows 10, and, when I go to the "Devices and Printers" window, I have no "Add a Device" or "Add a Printer" dialog appearing when I click the related buttons in the top-right. I only see a brief flash of a blank opening window, and then nothing.

I am trying to add a printer to my computer, so of course I am not getting very far like this. Does anyone know what might be causing this?

 

'Add a printer' dialog crashes immediately

Does 'Add a device' work properly?

Given that Add a Printer scans through available devices, it may be that corruption in that data is causing this.

You could try rt clicking, click Troubleshoot. for each printer listed in that dialogue under 'Add a device'

Also see
Add printer/device wizard not opening anymore on Server 2016 TS : techsupport
for an idea.

Do you have programs installed that that have added printers e.g. print to PDF?

 

Devices and Printers - Add Device / Add a printer - Flashes and closes

And again- post #6?

And see post #6 here:
'Add a printer' dialog crashes immediately

- Does that work or not for you?