[RPi5] Bluetooth Connection Issues

Kariemer · February 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I don't see myself as a total nitwit when it comes to IT but this issues has me in its grip.

I have installed LibreElec on my Raspberry Pi 5 (with HiFi Berry XLR addon board). When I start it up the first thing catching my eye is this repeated message:

Google searches on this issue did not get me an answer or fix for that message. I have read about Pulseaudio and to me it seems I'm totally fine without, I will not be using Bluetooth Audio from or to the Raspberry Pi. I do however want to use a bluetooth controller, to wirelessly control KODI. I have tried a number of different controllers including the 8bitdo SN30 and Nintendo Pro controller. LibreElec finds the controller, attempts to connect but then issues an error message:

Needless to say, after getting this error, the controller does not work.

My questions:
- Can anyone help me fix the Pulseaudio error I'm getting on boot?
- Can anyone help me find a solution for the br-connection-page-timeout issue and get the controllers to work in LibreElec?

Some more info:
- LibreElec versions tried: 12.0.1 & 12.0.2
- KODI version in use: 21.2
- The issues occur using the built-in Bluetooth module on the RPi boards, I do not have an USB bluetooth dongle laying around, nor do I think that will be the fix
- The issues also occur when the HiFiberry board is removed
- The issues also occur on Raspberry 4 boards
- The issues also occur on clean LibreElec installations
- I can connect to the RPi using SSH but was not able to open /etc/bluetooth/main.conf (permission denied)

The issues have been asking for my attention off and on for the past 6 months or so, so now I'm ready to ask for help.

**chewitt** · February 6, 2025 at 2:17 PM

Code

systemctl stop pulseaudio.service
systemctl disable pulseaudio.service
systemctl mask pulseaudio.service

Those ^ commands will workaround the pulse problem, but it shouldn't happen on a clean install. It would be useful to see the URL/output of "pastekodi" with Kodi debug mode to see if there's more info or clues to the cause.

You can use the bluetoothctl utility over SSH to pair/connect devices. If it works there, the issue resides in the LE settings add-on. If it also fails there, it's either a bug in BlueZ or something funky about pairing the device.

For kicks, check the 12.0.2 release and/or the latest LE13 nightly.

Kariemer · February 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM

I know in the picture it says LibreElec v12.0.1 but that's after downgrading because in 12.0.2 this occured as well. I have updated to 12.0.2 again but no change.

I am making progress, the systmemctl commands worked, I dont see the Pulseaudio errors on startup anymore. Also I finally managed to connect a controller that stays connected, however communication seems sluggish and unreliable. I am getting somewhere, much thanks for the support thusfar.

**chewitt** · February 7, 2025 at 2:40 AM

How was the controller connected .. using the GUI or bluetoothctl?

What's the range/distance between board and controller?

Is the board in a case? - If yes, what happens when you remove the board from the case?

Update to an LE13 nightly (they are not unstable at this point in the dev cycle, I've been running them for ages).