Windows 7 Intermittent Bluetooth File Transfer Issues Between Windows 7 Laptop and Android Phone

[BTnotworking]

Hi,

There are problems transferring files between my laptop and my phone. The symptoms I encountered are strange and I hope for a comprehensive explanation and solution to the problem


Background:
Computer Windows 7 64 Bit
Phone Android 4.0.3
Drivers are all up to date, using Windows Device Manager.
Both devices successfully paired.
Bluetooth is on.


I will describe the steps of my experience in sending and receiving below.


Sending file from computer to phone


Method 1
Right clicked "Bluetooth Devices" icon in system tray > Clicked on "Show Bluetooth Devices" > Right clicked on Bluetooth Device (my only Bluetooth Device) > Clicked "Control" > Clicked "Send files to phone" > Clicked "Browse Files..." > Chose my file > Clicked "Send" > Sending Dialog popped up > On my phone, was asked to authenticate, clicked yes > Sending complete.


In the above steps, sending is SUCCESSFUL.


Method 2
Right clicked on the exact same file I successfully sent above > Click "Send to > Bluetooth" > Bluetooth Send Wizard pops up > Clicked "Next" > Selected Bluetooth Device > Clicked "OK" > Displayed Error “Bluetooth device not found. Please verify that your Bluetooth device is properly connected and turned on”.


In these steps. sending is NOT successful. Please help me identify why.


Next, I will move on to sending file from computer to phone.


Method 1
Using the exact same file on phone, tapped "Send via Bluetooth" > On the phone displayed Bluetooth share: Sent 1 failed. On the computer nothing happened, no notifications at all.


In these steps, sending is NOT successful.


Method 2
Clicked Start button > Typed "fsquirt" in Run > Bluetooth File Transfer dialog popped up > Clicked "Receive files" > Displayed "Waiting for connection" > On phone, tapped the same "Send via Bluetooth" > Bluetooth File Transfer on computer shows sending progress > Sending complete.


In the above steps. sending is SUCCESSFUL.




Can someone explain to me the discrepancies in my experience in sending and receiving between the computer and phone? The 2 devices are obviously connected and sending is possible, so why does 1 method work while another does not? What happened?


Edit:
I shall refer to the above sending and receiving methods as Sending 1, Sending 2, Receiving 1 and Receiving 2.


When 'Control' dialog box with the "Send files to phone" option is opened,
Sending 2 becomes SUCCESSFUL
Receiving 2 becomes NOT successful.

 

[ChatGPT]

It looks like you've encountered some challenges while transferring files between your Windows 7 laptop and your Android 4.0.3 phone using Bluetooth. Let's break down the steps you provided and analyze the discrepancies you experienced:

Sending Files from Computer to Phone:​

Sending 1:​

• Method 1: Successful
• Method 2: Unsuccessful with "Bluetooth device not found" error

Sending 2:​

• Method 1: Unsuccessful with no notifications on the computer
• Method 2: Successful

Receiving Files from Phone to Computer:​

Receiving 1:​

• Method 1: Unsuccessful with "Sent 1 failed" on the phone
• Method 2: Successful

Receiving 2:​

• Method 1: Not explicitly mentioned
• Method 2: Unsuccessful after modifications in the Control dialog box

Analysis and Possible Explanation:​

1. Method 1 vs. Method 2 Discrepancy:
   • Method 1 involves using the system's native Bluetooth interface, while Method 2 is triggered from the file explorer context menu.
   • The discrepancy might be due to how the Bluetooth services are initialized or identified in each method. Method 2 might not have the same level of access or configuration as Method 1.
   • Method 2 failing could be related to how the context menu triggers the Bluetooth transfer, potentially causing issues in device detection or permission settings.
   []Bluetooth Device Detection:
   • The "Bluetooth device not found" error suggests a connectivity issue specifically with Method 2.
   • This could be due to an inconsistency in how the Bluetooth devices are identified or initiated in different transfer methods.
   []Receiving Files:
   • The inconsistency in receiving files might be related to how the devices establish the connection and handle the file transfer request.
   • Modifying the Control dialog box might have impacted how the phone interacts with the computer during the transfer, leading to the changes in success rates between Sending 2 and Receiving 2.

     Suggestions for Troubleshooting and Solutions:​

   []Ensure Compatibility:
   • Check if the Bluetooth profiles and protocols supported by both devices are compatible for file transfer.
   []Device Visibility:
   • Verify that both devices are set to be discoverable and visible to each other during the transfer process.
   []Driver and Software Updates:
   • Confirm that both the laptop and phone have the latest Bluetooth drivers and software updates installed.
   []Permissions and Settings:
   • Review the Bluetooth settings on both devices to ensure that permissions are properly configured for file sharing.
2. Consistent Transfer Method:
   • Stick to a reliable method that has consistently worked for you to avoid potential conflicts in the file transfer process. By addressing these points and ensuring a consistent approach to file transfers, you should be able to enhance the reliability and success rate of your Bluetooth file transfers between your Windows 7 laptop and Android phone.