Windows 10: Multiple Instances of the Same Device Under Bluetooth & Other Devices

Windows 10 Pro - V22H2I've seen this question asked many times before but haven't come across a solution. I'm trying to connect Bluetooth speakers but when I open Settings > Bluetooth & other devices multiple instances of "Living Room" are constantly populating the list and CPU usage is at 100%. Task Manager shows the "Settings" process consuming around 96% CPU. These instances of "Living Room" do not stop populating the list, they just keep on coming, one after another until there are hundreds of them.The "Living Room" item is associated somehow with Google Home and maybe one of the d

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Bluetooth multiple device instances/ Removal problem

Hi,

The issue might occur if there are outdated or incompatible drivers.

I suggest you to follow the methods below an check if it helps.

Method 1: Use the hardware troubleshooter to fix the issue

The Hardware Troubleshooter is an automated tool which will check the hardware connected to the computer for any known issues with it and provides the details and on how to fix them. Follow these steps and run the troubleshooter.

Follow these steps:

• Press Windows key to get the Start menu.
• Type Troubleshooting in the search box right up corner and hit enter.
• Click on Troubleshooting tab.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner.
• Select the Hardware and Device options from the list.
• Click Next to run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

If the issue persists, follow method 2.

Method 3: Update the Bluetooth drivers.

Step 1: Check for the latest driver update through Windows Updates.

• At the Start screen, type Windows Update.
• Click or tap Settings on the right side of the screen, and then select
  Install optional updates from the left results.
• When the Windows Update control panel opens, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner to receive a fresh list of updates.

Incompatible or not properly installed graphics card drivers are the most common cause of this issue.

Step 2: Follow the steps below to update the sound drivers.

• Press Windows + X key on the keyboard.
• Go to device manager.
• Right-click your Bluetooth devices.
• Click Update Driver Software and then follow the steps in the wizard that appears.

Restart the computer and check.

Let us know the status of the issue in this regards to assist you further.

Regards,

Guru Kiran

 

Bluetooth multiple device instances/ Removal problem

Hello All, I'm using a generic bluetooth adapter and connecting a mouse and keyboard. Both have worked in the past but would stop working after some time (weeks/ months). I could go into bluetooth settings and remove device, then press connect on the mouse
and a "new" mouse would be available, paired the device and it was good.

At this point after I remove device the "new" one doesn't show up.

Through the control panel I've uninstalled the mouse/ keyboard drivers.

uninstalled the Bluetooth adaptor/Microsoft bluetooth enumerator/ device identification service. multiple times. After restart, I attach the dongle... connected Bluetooth devices show the keyboard and mouse as paired again (they aren't).

If I go to send bluetooth files, there are 5 mice/ six keyboards to choose from, they are all the same device, repeated. Also in device Manager if hidden devices are shown there are multiples of everything under Bluetooth. Device Identification Service/bt
adapter ect.

Other devices, in control panel also has 16 keyboard/mice listed.

Sure would like to purge all old connections and start fresh.

 

Cannot use bluetooth device

1 Pairing is done in Settings, Devices
1.1 You click on Add Bluetooth or other device
1.2 You choose Bluetooth
1.3 If there is a pairing button on the bluetooth device itself then you press that now. You need to check the instructions for your bluetooth device to see how to do this - several automatically go into pairing mode when they switch on, others have a button that needs to be pressed for, say, 5 seconds.
1.4 The computer detects all available bluetooth devices and you select yours from the list. If yours is not on the list then Windows could not detect it.
1.5 It connects - pairing includes connecting
1.6 The computer sounds a buzz in the earpiece then displays Your device is ready to go and you click on Done
1.7 The device is shown in the devices list below the subheading Audio and it shows it as connected
1.8 The device should also appear in Control panel, Sounds, Playback tab
1.9 The device should also appear in Control panel, Devices & printers
1.10 {I just paired some bluetooth earphones as I typed so I could make sure these notes were correct} You use a music player and the sound comes out of the bluetooth earphones

2 If this is not happening for you then go to Contol panel, Devices & printers
2.1 Right-click on the device & select Remove device
2.2 You can now try pairing from scratch again
2.3 Several other users have reported that only removing the device with Bluetooth command line tools - BluetoothInstaller allowed them to re-pair again [see xzion's guidance below]
2.4 Yet others reported that only the KeithM code or Bungee's guidance worked for them [see below]

3 Where is this all going wrong for you?
[I assume we are definitely talking about bluetooth headphones/earphones. I understand that WiFi ones do also exist.]


4 Additional guidance -

Unpair a Bluetooth Device - TenForumsTutorials
Connect a Bluetooth device in Windows - Windows Help

Steps to completely remove a belutooth device so pairing can be done again [post #9, xzion] - TenForums
Steps to completely remove a belutooth device so pairing can be done again [post #22, KeithM] - TenForums
Steps to completely remove a belutooth device so pairing can be done again [post #39, Bungee] - TenForums
Several people registered in TenForums just to be able to thanks xzion, KeithM & Bungee. Apparently, what worked for some people did not work for others so each solution seems worth trying.


Denis