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To use your Bluetooth headset with VOIP programs such as Skype, you will need to pair your headset with your PC, authorise it to access Skype, and then configure Skype to use Bluetooth audio devices. The process is fairly straight forward, but varies slightly depending on the dongle and driver that you are using.
The steps below assume that you have installed the software that came on the CD with your Bluetooth Dongle, not the generic Windows drivers, and that Skype is already installed on your PC running Windows XP SP2.
To determine which Bluetooth drivers you are using, you will need to access Device Manager. To do this, press the “Windows” and “Pause Break” keys on the keypad simultaneously. This will then open System Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, and then you will see a button to launch Device Manager – click it. This will then open a new window listing all devices connected to your computer. Towards the top of this list you will see Bluetooth Devices, click the plus sign to expand the list. The top line should say Bluetooth Enumerator, the second line will tell you which driver you are using and will be either Broadcom/Widcomm, Toshiba, or BlueSoleil. Make a note of your driver manufacturer and close all windows. If you see Microsoft listed, it means you have the generic Windows drivers installed, and probably won’t work with Skype unless you update the drivers. For information on how to do this, read my post on updating your Bluetooth drivers.
Please note that drivers are specific to the dongle you are using, and you can only use the driver manufacturer that is supplied with your dongle. You cannot, for example, use a Toshiba driver with a BlueSoleil supported dongle.
Broadcom / Widcomm – Skype Compatibility Rating 5/5
- If you have already paired your headset with your PC, delete the pairing.
- Right click the Bluetooth icon by the clock and select add a bluetooth device. This will then launch a wizard to guide you through the pairing process.
- The wizard will search for available devices, select the headset you want to use and click on next.
- The next screen will ask you to confirm the services you want to use. Mono Bluetooth Headsets will list only Hands-Free Unit, Stereo Bluetooth Headsets will also list Stereo Audio.
- Ensure all boxes are ticked and then click next.
- Click OK on the pop up and then click finish on the confirmation screen. You may then see a further pop up confirmation message. Click ok.
- The next screen will ask you to confirm the type of headset. Regardless of your headset, select personal handsfree device with no display.
- You will then be asked to confirm what applications the headset will primarily be used for. Make sure Skype is ticked – click next,
- Now switch over to Skype, you should see a pop up alert by the clock asking you to allow a program to access Skype, you need to allow this add on.
- Once you’ve allowed it you’ll see a message at top of the Skype window.
- Click on the BTSTAC~1.exe file name, then on the pop up screen make sure that the check box next to “allow this program to access Skype” is ticked,
- In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select “Bluetooth”.
- Check the “Ring PC Speaker” box if you want incoming calls to ring through the PC speakers as well as ring in the Bluetooth Headset then click on save,
- Make a test call. There may be a brief delay when it connects initially, but you should then be able to hear and talk through your Bluetooth headset.
Toshiba Drivers – Skype Compatibility Rating 4/5
- If you have already paired your headset with your PC, delete the pairing. You can do this through the Toshiba Bluetooth Control panel.
- You’ll see the name of your Bluetooth headset, and three buttons underneath – new connection, detail and delete. Make sure the headset is disconnected and then click delete.
- Launch Skype.
- Go back to your Bluetooth control panel and click on new connection.
- On the wizard that appears, you need to select CUSTOM mode.
- Turn your headset on and put it into pairing mode then press next. Your PC will then search for Bluetooth devices in range, if it doesn’t find your headset on the first scan, click refresh to do another search.
- Select your headset from the list of discovered devices and click next.
- On the next screen you may be prompted to select the type of device you wish to connect. You should see two or three options – Audio Sink, Handsfree, Headset. (Audio Sink may only show up if you are using a stereo headset.)
You need to select Handsfree on this screen and click next. - You will now be prompted to enter Pin or Passkey, this can be found in your user guide.
- The next screen you see should ask you if you want to use this in cooperation with a VOIP application. You need to make sure that this box is ticked. If its not, you won’t be able to use it with Skype.
- On the final screen you will be given the option to rename your headset and place a shortcut to the connection on the desktop.
- Click finish.
- Now switch over to Skype, you should see a pop up alert by the clock asking you to allow a program to access Skype, you need to allow this add on.
- Once you’ve confirmed it you’ll see a brief confirmation message in the main Skype window.
- Click on this message and make sure that the check box next to “allow this program to access Skype” is ticked.
- In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select “Bluetooth wave” – Click on save.
- Make a test call. There may be a brief delay when it connects initially, but you should then be able to hear and talk through your Bluetooth headset.
BlueSoleil – Skype Compatibility Rating 2/5
BlueSoleil drivers aren’t the best for working with Skype. The latest version of the drivers, 5.0.5, doesn’t support VOIP services such as Skype unless you pay for an upgrade. You can download version 3.2.2.8 from the BlueSoleil web site which does support VOIP at no extra cost, but I found it to be more difficult to use than Toshiba and Broadcom. The following guide is based on Software version 3.2.2.8.
- Pair your Bluetooth Headset to your PC as normal and then launch Skype.
- To begin setting up Skype, click on Start -> All Programs -> IVT BlueSoleil -> BlueSoleil VOIP Plug In.
- After a few seconds you should see a pop up notification by the clock asking to allow access to Skype, you need to allow this add on.
- Once you’ve clicked on it you’ll see a message at top of the Skype window.
- Click on the .exe file name.
- On the pop up screen make sure that the check box next to “allow this program to access Skype” is ticked.
- Connect to headset, (either by pressing call button on headset, or by right clicking on the headset icon in the bluetooth control panel and selecting connect.)
- In Skype, go to Tools, Options and select Audio Settings. For each of the 3 drop down boxes select “Bluetooth SCO” – Click on save.
- In some cases, “Bluetooth SCO” may not work, in which case set these to Bluetooth AV.
- Make a test call. BlueSoleil is a little slow, and you will find that your call initially is played through your PC, but will be transferred to the headset after a few seconds.
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