Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is known for its user-friendly interface and robust functionality. However, like any operating system, it can sometimes present challenges that require a bit of troubleshooting. One such issue that users often encounter involves Bluetooth devices that are not showing up in the settings menu. This can be particularly frustrating when you want to remove a device but can’t find it in the settings. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of removing a Bluetooth device that isn’t showing up in your Ubuntu settings.
To remove a Bluetooth device not showing in settings on Ubuntu, you can use the terminal and the bluetoothctl command. Open the terminal using Ctrl + Alt + T, launch the Bluetooth control tool with bluetoothctl, identify the device using its unique key number, and remove it using the command remove aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff (replace with the device’s key number). Exit the Bluetooth control tool with exit once the device is removed.
Understanding the Issue
Before we delve into the solution, it’s important to understand the issue. When you pair a Bluetooth device with your Ubuntu system, it should ideally show up in the Bluetooth settings menu. From there, you can easily remove it by clicking on the ‘Remove Device’ option. However, sometimes, the device might not appear in this menu, even though it’s connected and working perfectly. This is often due to minor glitches in the operating system or the Bluetooth service.
The Solution: Using the Terminal
When the graphical user interface (GUI) fails, the terminal comes to the rescue. Ubuntu’s terminal is a powerful tool that allows you to control every aspect of your system. In this case, we’ll use a command-line tool called bluetoothctl to remove the problematic device.
Step 1: Open the Terminal
You can open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard. This is the standard shortcut for launching the terminal in Ubuntu.
Step 2: Launch Bluetooth Control Tool
Once the terminal is open, type the command bluetoothctl and press Enter. This command launches the Bluetooth control tool, which allows you to manage all your Bluetooth devices directly from the terminal.
Step 3: Identify Your Device
In the Bluetooth control tool, you’ll see a list of all Bluetooth devices that your system recognizes. Each device is identified by a unique key number, which you’ll need to remove the device. Find the device you want to remove and note down its key number.
Step 4: Remove the Device
To remove the device, type the command remove aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff in the terminal, replacing aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff with the unique key number of your device. Then, press Enter to execute the command. If the command is successful, your device will be removed and it will no longer appear in the Bluetooth menu.
Step 5: Exit the Bluetooth Control Tool
After you’ve removed the device, you can exit the Bluetooth control tool by typing exit and pressing Enter.
Important Notes
- Ensure that your Bluetooth is powered on before performing these operations. If your Bluetooth is off, you might encounter an error message like “Failed to remove device: org.bluez.Error.NotReady”.
- The appearance of the Bluetooth settings panel may vary depending on your Ubuntu version. If you don’t see the +/- buttons in the lower left corner of the panel, the terminal solution provided above is necessary.
In conclusion, while it can be frustrating when a Bluetooth device doesn’t show up in your Ubuntu settings, the terminal provides a reliable workaround. By using the bluetoothctl command, you can easily remove any device, whether it appears in the settings menu or not.
Yes, you can remove a Bluetooth device that is not showing up in the settings menu on Ubuntu by using the terminal and the bluetoothctl command as explained in the article.
You can open the terminal in Ubuntu by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard.
The Bluetooth control tool is a command-line tool called bluetoothctl that allows you to manage Bluetooth devices directly from the terminal in Ubuntu.
In the Bluetooth control tool, you will see a list of all Bluetooth devices recognized by your system. Each device is identified by a unique key number, which you can use to remove the device.
Yes, you can remove multiple Bluetooth devices using the remove command followed by the unique key number of each device, separated by spaces.
Yes, removing a Bluetooth device using the terminal will remove it completely from your system. It will no longer appear in the Bluetooth menu and will be unpaired from your Ubuntu system.
