How can I disable Bluetooth connectability?

Question

How can I disable Bluetooth connectability?

Jin Cheng 0

I have a console application that enumerates all Bluetooth radios on the system and finds only one. I then call BluetoothEnableDiscovery(NULL, FALSE) followed by BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(NULL, FALSE) for that radio. However, BluetoothIsConnectable(NULL) still returns TRUE.

test program:

#include <windows.h>
#include <bluetoothapis.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#pragma comment(lib, "Bthprops.lib")
int main()
{
    BLUETOOTH_FIND_RADIO_PARAMS params = {};
    params.dwSize = sizeof(params);
    HBLUETOOTH_RADIO_FIND hFind = NULL;
    HANDLE hRadio = NULL;
    hFind = BluetoothFindFirstRadio(&params, &hRadio);
    if (hFind == NULL)
    {
        printf("BluetoothFindFirstRadio failed: 0x%08X\n",
            GetLastError());
        return 1;
    }
    int radioCount = 1;
    // Check for additional Bluetooth radios.
    HANDLE hNextRadio = NULL;
    while (BluetoothFindNextRadio(hFind, &hNextRadio))
    {
        radioCount++;
        CloseHandle(hNextRadio);
        hNextRadio = NULL;
    }
    printf("Bluetooth radio count: %d\n", radioCount);
    if (radioCount != 1)
    {
        printf("Expected exactly one Bluetooth radio.\n");
        CloseHandle(hRadio);
        BluetoothFindRadioClose(hFind);
        return 1;
    }
    printf("\nInitial state:\n");
    BOOL discoverable = BluetoothIsDiscoverable(NULL);
    BOOL connectable = BluetoothIsConnectable(NULL);
    printf("  Discoverable: %s\n",
        discoverable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    printf("  Connectable : %s\n",
        connectable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    printf("\nDisable discovery:\n");
    SetLastError(ERROR_SUCCESS);
    BOOL ret = BluetoothEnableDiscovery(NULL, FALSE);
    printf("  BluetoothEnableDiscovery(NULL, FALSE): %s\n",
        ret ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    if (!ret)
        printf("  GetLastError: 0x%08X\n", GetLastError());
    printf("\nDisable incoming connections:\n");
    SetLastError(ERROR_SUCCESS);
    ret = BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(NULL, FALSE);
    printf("  BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(NULL, FALSE): %s\n",
        ret ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    if (!ret)
        printf("  GetLastError: 0x%08X\n", GetLastError());
    printf("\nFinal state:\n");
    discoverable = BluetoothIsDiscoverable(NULL);
    connectable = BluetoothIsConnectable(NULL);
    printf("  Discoverable: %s\n",
        discoverable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    printf("  Connectable : %s\n",
        connectable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    CloseHandle(hRadio);
    BluetoothFindRadioClose(hFind);
    printf("\nPress Enter to exit...");
    getchar();
    return 0;
}

console output:

Bluetooth radio count: 1
Initial state:
  Discoverable: FALSE
  Connectable : TRUE
Disable discovery:
  BluetoothEnableDiscovery(NULL, FALSE): FALSE
  GetLastError: 0x80070057
Disable incoming connections:
  BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(NULL, FALSE): FALSE
  GetLastError: 0x80070057
Final state:
  Discoverable: FALSE
  Connectable : TRUE
Press Enter to exit...

0 comments

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Percy Nguyen (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 80 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Jin Cheng ,

Thank you for reporting this, and for including the detailed test program and output.

Looking at your output, BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(NULL, FALSE) returned FALSE, which per the documentation means no radio accepted the state change. Your radio was already non-discoverable, so the documented ordering requirement is met, and something else is blocking the change. To narrow it down, could you try the following and share the results?

Pass the radio handle explicitly. Use the hRadio returned by BluetoothFindFirstRadio instead of NULL for all four calls (BluetoothIsDiscoverable, BluetoothIsConnectable, BluetoothEnableDiscovery, BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections). Call BluetoothGetRadioInfo(hRadio, &info) first to confirm the handle is valid.
Run the test from an elevated (administrator) prompt and compare the results with a non-elevated run.
Close Settings > Bluetooth & devices before running the test, so nothing else is changing the radio state at the same time.
Share your environment details: the Bluetooth adapter model, the driver version and provider (Device Manager > Bluetooth > adapter > Properties > Driver), and whether any paired devices are connected during the test.

I also noticed that your OS build, 26100.ge_release.240331, is a very early 24H2 baseline. I can't confirm that this build causes the assertion failure you're seeing. However, the HLK documentation notes that when a known issue in an HLK test or in Windows causes a test to fail incorrectly, an errata filters will be published to address it. And it is recommended using the HLK version that matches the Windows version under test. So updating the OS, using the matching kit, and applying the latest filters is a good way to rule this out.

So before you re-run, I suggest the following:

Update the test system to the latest cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2.
Use the HLK kit that matches that OS version.The 24H2 kit has been refreshed since its first release, so it's worth checking that your controller is on the current one. The kit downloads are listed on the Windows Hardware Lab Kit page.
Install the latest HLK filters and playlist, then re-apply the filters to your existing results.Filters are how errata for known false failures get applied, and existing results aren't re-filtered automatically. The steps are in Windows Hardware Lab Kit Filters.

Looking forward to your update. If you found my response helpful or informative, I would greatly appreciate it if you could follow this guide for your confirmation.

Thank you.

Jin Cheng 0

Modified test program:

#include <windows.h>
#include <bluetoothapis.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#pragma comment(lib, "Bthprops.lib")
int main()
{
    BLUETOOTH_FIND_RADIO_PARAMS params = {};
    params.dwSize = sizeof(params);
    HBLUETOOTH_RADIO_FIND hFind = NULL;
    HANDLE hRadio = NULL;
    //
    // Find the first Bluetooth radio.
    //
    hFind = BluetoothFindFirstRadio(&params, &hRadio);
    if (hFind == NULL)
    {
        printf("BluetoothFindFirstRadio failed: 0x%08X\n",
            GetLastError());
        return 1;
    }
    int radioCount = 1;
    //
    // Check for additional Bluetooth radios.
    //
    HANDLE hNextRadio = NULL;
    while (BluetoothFindNextRadio(hFind, &hNextRadio))
    {
        radioCount++;
        if (hNextRadio != NULL)
        {
            CloseHandle(hNextRadio);
            hNextRadio = NULL;
        }
    }
    printf("Bluetooth radio count: %d\n", radioCount);
    if (radioCount != 1)
    {
        printf("Expected exactly one Bluetooth radio.\n");
        if (hRadio != NULL)
            CloseHandle(hRadio);
        BluetoothFindRadioClose(hFind);
        return 1;
    }
    //
    // Verify the radio handle.
    //
    BLUETOOTH_RADIO_INFO radioInfo = {};
    radioInfo.dwSize = sizeof(radioInfo);
    SetLastError(ERROR_SUCCESS);
    DWORD retInfo = BluetoothGetRadioInfo(hRadio, &radioInfo);
    if (retInfo != ERROR_SUCCESS)
    {
        printf("BluetoothGetRadioInfo failed: 0x%08X\n",
            retInfo);
        CloseHandle(hRadio);
        BluetoothFindRadioClose(hFind);
        return 1;
    }
    printf("\nBluetooth radio information:\n");
    printf("  Name         : %ls\n", radioInfo.szName);
    printf("  Address      : %02X:%02X:%02X:%02X:%02X:%02X\n",
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[5],
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[4],
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[3],
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[2],
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[1],
        radioInfo.address.rgBytes[0]);
    printf("  Manufacturer : 0x%04X\n",
        radioInfo.manufacturer);
    //
    // Initial state.
    //
    printf("\nInitial state:\n");
    BOOL discoverable = BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio);
    BOOL connectable = BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio);
    printf("  BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio): %s\n",
        discoverable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    printf("  BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) : %s\n",
        connectable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    //
    // Disable discovery.
    //
    printf("\nDisable discovery:\n");
    SetLastError(ERROR_SUCCESS);
    BOOL ret = BluetoothEnableDiscovery(hRadio, FALSE);
    printf("  BluetoothEnableDiscovery(hRadio, FALSE): %s\n",
        ret ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    if (!ret)
    {
        printf("  GetLastError: 0x%08X\n",
            GetLastError());
    }
    //
    // Check state after disabling discovery.
    //
    discoverable = BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio);
    printf("  Discoverable after disable: %s\n",
        discoverable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    //
    // Disable incoming connections.
    //
    printf("\nDisable incoming connections:\n");
    SetLastError(ERROR_SUCCESS);
    ret = BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, FALSE);
    printf("  BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, FALSE): %s\n",
        ret ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    if (!ret)
    {
        printf("  GetLastError: 0x%08X\n",
            GetLastError());
    }
    //
    // Final state.
    //
    printf("\nFinal state:\n");
    discoverable = BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio);
    connectable = BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio);
    printf("  BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio): %s\n",
        discoverable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    printf("  BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) : %s\n",
        connectable ? "TRUE" : "FALSE");
    //
    // Cleanup.
    //
    if (hRadio != NULL)
        CloseHandle(hRadio);
    BluetoothFindRadioClose(hFind);
    printf("\nPress Enter to exit...");
    getchar();
    return 0;
}

console output (administrator):

Bluetooth radio count: 1
Bluetooth radio information:
  Name         : NEO
  Address      : D8:80:83:20:E8:36
  Manufacturer : 0x0046
Initial state:
  BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio): FALSE
  BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) : TRUE
Disable discovery:
  BluetoothEnableDiscovery(hRadio, FALSE): FALSE
  GetLastError: 0x80070057
  Discoverable after disable: FALSE
Disable incoming connections:
  BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, FALSE): FALSE
  GetLastError: 0x80070057
Final state:
  BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio): FALSE
  BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) : TRUE
Press Enter to exit...

We cannot turn off Bluetooth from Settings, because doing so causes the test program to fail with:

BluetoothFindFirstRadio failed: 0x00000103

User's image

Jin Cheng 0 Reputation points

2026-09-30T05:54:09.4433333+00:00

@Percy Nguyen (WICLOUD CORPORATION) Alternatively, could you run my original test program and share the output with me?
Percy Nguyen (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 80 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-30T08:37:28.03+00:00
Hi @Jin Cheng ,

Thank you for sharing the modified program and administrator output.

For the testing you requested, I’m unable to perform an equivalent physical Bluetooth radio test from my side, as my access is limited to the platform and lack the necessary hardware to run the test.

But to help you further, I would like to propose some comparison that would help distinguish the direct-disable failure from the successful-return/state mismatch.

Could you modify your latest program to enable incoming connections before disabling them, using the validated hRadio for every Bluetooth API call?

Check BluetoothIsDiscoverable(hRadio) and confirm it returns FALSE.

Enable incoming connections: call BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, TRUE). Record its return value, then call BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) and record that result.

Disable incoming connections: call BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, FALSE). Record its return value, then immediately call BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) and record that result.

Check BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) again approximately 1 second and 5 seconds after the disabled call. This is only to see whether the reported state changes over time—not a suggested workaround.

While I thoroughly researching your issue, I noticed that you had also opened a related discussion on this topic: How can I disable Bluetooth connectability?

I hope you can revisit this thread again because is contain many useful materials and references related to your issue.

If you found my investigation and direction of my support helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could follow this guide so others with similar issue can benefit as well.

Thank you.
Deleted

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Percy Nguyen (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 80 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-01T06:14:06.0833333+00:00
Hi @Jin Cheng ,

I have seen the output from your deleted comment which I found quite helpful, so I suggest some further checks for your rerun.

First, Using a valid radio handle, BluetoothEnableIncomingConnections(hRadio, FALSE) now returns TRUE, which according to the documentation means the incoming connection state was successfully changed. However, BluetoothIsConnectable(hRadio) still reports TRUE immediately, after 1 second, and after 5 seconds. Since this happens consistently across different PCs, Windows versions, and Bluetooth devices, it rules out the NULL handle path, a timing delay, and most likely a specific adapter or driver. There are two checks that could show which part is not behaving as documented:

Try an actual connection. While the program is paused at Press Enter to exit..., attempt to connect to this PC from another Bluetooth device. - If the connection is refused, the radio is actually non-connectable, and BluetoothIsConnectable is reporting an incorrect state. - If the connection succeeds, the disable call returns TRUE but the change is not applied.

Capture an HCI trace using the Bluetooth Virtual Sniffer (BTVS) included in the Bluetooth Test Platform: - Run btvs.exe -Mode Wireshark, then run your test program. - In Wireshark, filter on bthci_cmd.opcode == 0x0c1a (HCI Write Scan Enable). - Check whether this command is sent after the disabled call, and whether the scan value is 0x00 (page scan off). Setup details are available in the BTVS documentation. Thank you.