LG G3 bluetooth no longer playing media

[alane3]

Recently my LG G3 will not longer connect & play media on any bluetooth device. I have unpaired/paired different devices because I thought it might be the headset/speaker. None of my accessories will play music. I have done a soft reset, removed the battery (gave me a temporary fix) and nothing is working!!!! I enjoy listening to music & this is very frustrating. I have gone settings>bluetooth>pressed 3 dots in corner> chosen turn on audio channel mode and it will still only connect to call audio. When I go to settings>bluetooth>click the gear>and looked for box for media and there isn't one.

Not sure why my phone started doing this because it happened out of the blue. my last update happened March 2 (over month ago) so very unhappy about this problem!!!!

[vzw_customer_support]

alane3

I listen to music all the time through my phone so I understand the importance of this issue. Sound like you have attempted many steps to resolve the issue. The next step you will want to try is resetting the network settings. See here: http://vz.to/2payCEP  If the issue continues you will want to perform a factory data reset, see here: http://vz.to/2paFOAQ If you have to take that route please backup your phone first so that all of your personal data will be saved. 

Edward_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the  Correct Answer  button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Kin_Yip]

Hi,

I started to have this problem since last Friday when I tried to listen to music in my LG G3 via Bluetooth in my car (Honda Fit) --- I don't do this every day.  The "media audio option would disappear when I shut off Bluetooth and turn it back on.

Network reset or even factory reset has only solved the problem temporarily.  I found that if I keep the Bluetooth on in my LG G3, the "media audio" option in Bluetooth would remain (and listening music in my car via Bluetooth would be fine).   But when I turn off the Bluetooth and then turn it back on later, the "media audio" option would disappear !

The simplest way that I can get back to "media option" is to turn off Bluetooth and power off/restart the LG G3.   Then, when I turn on the Bluetooth after the restart, the "media audio" would be there.  But it's annoying that I need to do so and I haven't needed to do so before last week.

I hope that there is a more permanent solution.

Kin

[vzw_customer_support]

Kin_Yip, I listen to music all the time in my car as well and can’t imagine going without it. Is this happening with all other devices (headphones, other cars)? Please ensure you have unpaired from the car and re-pair with it. Let us know if there're any changes.

StevenM_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[Kin_Yip]

Hi,

I don't have other cars or other things to test.  But I've got friends' smartphone to test with my car and they

don't have this problem.

Actually, after trying for many many times (unpairing and pairing), I've learnt to just check whether there is "media audio" in the Bluetooth.

When the "media audio" is absent in the Bluetooth (setting), you can't play music in the car.     Which I've verified many many times.  [   When the "media audio" is absent, even though the "call audio" is there, the car would just tell you "Connection failed.  Please try again."   ]

That's, just check whether the "media audio" is absent or not to know that there is a problem, you don't need any car or anything to test.   I've verified this many many times.

As other people said in other forums, if I keep "Bluetooth" on, the "media audio" will always be there (and you'll have no problem in playing music in the car).   But just like this morning, after keeping the "Bluetooth" on for almost 2 days, when I just switched off the "Bluetooth" and switched it on after a minute, the "media audio" disappeared.  Problem !     After I switched off the Bluetooth again and rebooted my LG G3, the "media audio" will show up in Bluetooth when I first turned it on.

So, somehow, there is something in LG G3 which likes to take "media audio" away from the Bluetooth setting for unknown/mysterious reason ?!!!

[Kin_Yip]

In case, it's not clear, when I said "media audio disappeared", I meant (just like "alane3") that

the option of clicking on "media audio" in

"settings>bluetooth>HandsFreeLink"

disappears. 

Somehow "Call audio" is always there (and therefore has always worked).  But just the "media audio" option would be eaten away by LG G3 or some apps in it, after I switch off Bluetooth and then switch it on (without restarting the smartphone).

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

Thank you for that great information Kin_Yip. Let’s go ahead and place the phone in Safe Mode to test the connection. Here’s a link to turn on Safe Mode http://vz.to/2tUgrBm . Once Safe Mode is on, you will notice all your third party applications are temporally disabled. You may want to try a song stored on the phone or Google Music. Test the Bluetooth connection a few times to ensure it stays working. Let us know the results.

StevenM_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[Kin_Yip]

Though your link led to "An unexpected error has occurred" after a few trials, I know how to go to safe mode.

Unfortunately, the phenomenon in "Safe mode" is the same as in Normal Mode.   That's, when I first turned on the Bluetooth, I can see "media audio" under the Bluetooth setting.    But when I turned it off and then turned it on again, the "media audio" disappears. 

In fact, in the weekend, I've done "factory data reset" a couple times such that only the factory apps are there.  The problem still exists.

As I said, the problem seemed to start for me around Friday.  I wonder whether any recent Verizon or other updates on the factory/Verizon apps have caused this problem.

[vzw_customer_support]

Kin_Yip, thank you for that great information. What year and trim level is your Honda Fit? We’d like to pull up some information about the car to help get this Bluetooth working right. Also, is there any physical or liquid damage to your phone?    StevenM_VZW Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[Kin_Yip]

Hi,

1.

As I said a couple times, it doesn't really matter what car it's.  Because after I switch off the Bluetooth and then switch on the Bluetooth, the "media audio" option would disappear and you can't play any music without the "media audio" in any car !    

In any case, my car is 2015 Honda Fit .

1.1

To be a bit more sure, I've asked to try with my student's phone (which has paired with my car).  When we turned off / on the Bluetooth, the "media audio" option is always in the Bluetooth.

And I've never had problem like this before last week (the week of June 16) and I've used LG G3 to play music in my Honda Fit since July 2015 and since Jan. 2016 with this LG G3.

2.

I don't see any damage on the phone.  I've got a plastic protector for the phone and it's protected 🙂   In fact, I've also used Bluetooth to transfer many music files between my PC and phone.  As I said, with the "media audio" appearing in the Bluetooth, I can play music with my car.   The problem is that after I turn off Bluetooth and turn on the Bluetooth on again, the "media audio" would disappear (no matter how many times I try to turn off/on the Bluetooth again）.    I'll need to restart/reboot my phone to get the "media audio" back.   And the "call audio" option in Bluetooth is always there and won't disappear.

The annoying question/problem is why the "media audio" option would disappear after I turn off the Bluetooth once.

Kin

[Kin_Yip]

It's  Honda Fit 2015 LX   ... but as I said, this seems irrelevant.   It's all about the "media audio" option in Bluetooth.

You can stand next to the car or be in another country, thousands of miles away from the car, the "media audio" option just disappears after a cycle of switching off/on Bluetooth.

[vzw_customer_support]

We want to ensure you can fully enjoy the music and calls in your car so we will do everything possible to get it working. Have you checked for any new software updates on the phone? Also, try connecting to the Bluetooth without a memory card in the phone. Please ensure you power the phone off when removing the memory card. Keep us posted with any results.

StevenM_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[Kin_Yip]

Hi,

> Have you checked for any new software updates on the phone?

Remember that I've gone into the "SAFE Mode" (as you you suggested a few messages ago) or done factory data reset (ie. what's left are all the factor or Verizon software) and the result is the same (ie. "media audio" in the Bluetooth for the pair Handsfreelink would disappear after switching off Bluetooth and switching Bluetooth on).

It's all Verizon-managed software update in the "SAFE Mode" or after a factory data reset.   So, it's your software !!

> Also, try connecting to the Bluetooth without a memory card in the phone. Please
> ensure you power the phone off when removing the memory card.

My LG G3 has no extra memory card.  That slot is completely vacant/empty !   So, yes, I'm connecting to Bluetooth without memory card all the time !!!

But as I said, you don't need to have a car or anything to test ... My complaint is that just switching off and switching on the Bluetooth, then "media audio" option in "Handsfreelink" is gone.

[vzw_customer_support]

@Kin_Yip We truly appreciate you communicating with us, and providing feedback about this Bluetooth feature. What we would recommend is waiting until the next software update is released to see if LG can fix this feature, because this isn't something that we can manually repair through Verizon.

JoelD_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Kin_Yip]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

> What we would recommend is waiting until the next software update is released to see if LG can fix this feature, because this isn't something that we can manually repair through Verizon.

Could you please at least communicate with them (LG) about the symptom of the problem ?

===================================================

That's, (even in "SAVE MODE" or after factory data reset back to the original LG/Verizon software), when one first turns on the Bluetooth in the LG G3 (Android 6) and check on the HandsFreeLink (which pairs with a car's Bluetooth), one could see the "media audio" option.   But after one turns off the Bluetooth and after some time (could be 0 to many minutes), then turns on the Bluetooth, the "media audio" option would disappear.  Without this "media audio" option under HandsFreeLink, one can't play music etc. through the Bluetooth in the car. 

And this disappearance of "media audio" happens by itself, with or without any car's presence.   And after its disappearance, the "media audio" option inside HandsFreeLink not come back with or without the presence of the car's Bluetooth.  The way to get it back is to turn off the Bluetooth and switch off the phone and restart again.  Then, after the phone is on, one would see the "media audio" again when one switches on the Bluetooth.    To keep this "media audio" appearing under HandsFreeLink, it's necessary not to switch off the Bluetooth.  Because as soon as you switch off the Bluetooth, the "media audio" may disappear.

==============================================================

Can you please at least pass the above to them ???  So that there is a chance that somebody in LG may do something.   Otherwise, why would you think their next update would sove this problem ?   By some random luck ?

In fact, I'm wondering whether Verizon's Message+ could be the culprit (as there is a place in Verizon's Message+ that it tries to use the HandsFreeLink).   But I can't prove it (yet).

Kin

[vzw_customer_support]

Kin-Yip-

We certainly want the best resolution to your car's Bluetooth concern. I've had the same issue with my previous car and I always thought this was a car/phone problem. However, I just got a new car last month and I am experiencing the same exact issue when I turn my phone's Bluetooth off. The only way to get this working is by restarting my phone for a new connection to start while Bluetooth is on. Sometimes I have to go through the whole Bluetooth set up.  I have found out that if my phone has Bluetooth off and my car has already started, they won't sync even after I enable my phone's Bluetooth. I have an iPhone 7 and a Toyota Camry. I strongly believe it is just a car Bluetooth issue and it is how it works if your phone's Bluetooth is turned off. Since you have a completely different phone/car make/model than mine, this leads me to believe it is how it was designed to work. If you feel this needs to be lifted up, I would suggest contacting LG directly by dialing 800-793-8896.

CarmenT_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Kin_Yip]

I don't think this is how a car/phone Bluetooth should work because

1.

from Jan. 2016 until 10 days ago or so, I could turn off Bluetooth and then turn on and still see "media audio" in HandsFreeLink of Bluetooth and play music with car.

2.

I have got other people with other phones to test with the Bluetooth and even my car.  After switching off Bluetooth and on, they still see "media audio" option.

3.

I've google-d quite a bit and read people report this as problem and other people trying to offer solution.   I've never heard people say that this is the way it should be.

Yours disappointingly,

Kin

[vzw_customer_support]

Kin Yip-

We don't want you feeling disappointed in any way. Your phone is working as intended. Please know all cars work differently so I would not be able to speak for your Ford since we only troubleshoot issues directly with your phone. This is not an issue with your Bluetooth or you would have the same issue with other Bluetooth devices. Besides contacting LG, I would suggest contacting your car's manufacturer for further assistance.

CarmenT_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Kin_Yip]

Hi,

> ....so I would not be able to speak for your Ford ...

My car is (2015) Honda Fit !!  I've mentioned that on my 1st message on June 21, 2017 !

> This is not an issue with your Bluetooth or you would have the same issue with other Bluetooth devices. Besides contacting LG, I would suggest contacting your car's manufacturer for further assistance.

I said it many times already.   Let me just repeat ... --- everyday typing exercise :

(1)

The problem is that the "media audio" option disappears under HandsFreeLink in Bluetooth after you turn off Bluetooth and then turn on Bluetooth ... without any car !   With that "media audio" option, nothing can be played, with any car !!!!!!  

(1.1) If "media audio" exists, I'd have no problem to play music or whatever with my car. 

(2) And I've got friends' phones to test and they don't have this problem at all, after switching off/on the Bluetooth ( and of course with that "media audio" ), they can play music with my car.

(3) I've got no problem in Bluetooth with other devices such as my PC etc. to transfers files etc. etc.

The only problem is the disappearance of "media audio" option as mentioned point (1).

You guys may just useless tell me to contact LG or car manufacturer ...  But if you tell me my car is Ford or my phone would have problems with other devices, I'd just keep cut and paste the above points every day !!!

Kin

[Nar1118]

Well you aren't alone,    I've got the same problem not with a vehicle, but with all of my Bluetooth audio equipment. The media option checkboxes disappeared on my G3. It has run audio flawlessly, at least as expected, it is a bit of a battery hog though, so I probably hadn't tried it in a month, and that's when we got an update? Come on Verizon put it back how it was or something! Can we roll back the update?

[JMBRKJR]

Similar issue here. I've used my LG G3 with Bluetooth speakers and earphones. Never a problem. Went away for four days last week. Used my phone for three days. On fourth day I used it in the morning. Went to use it in the afternoon, and would not work. Did every step included in this thread. I also tried another speaker and two BT earphones sets. Same result. Call audio but device audio disappeared. All my BT items work without problem with other devices.

I'm on board with the idea that there was an update or something for it to stop working so abruptly.