OBD Solutions

If you have issues connecting your OBDLink® Bluetooth adapter to your phone or tablet, try the steps in this article to resolve the problem. 

This article contains the following sections:

• Quick start steps
• Bluetooth tips
• Communication settings
• Factory reset (OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink LX adapters only)
• Need more help?

Quick start steps

Each OBDLink Bluetooth adapter has a model-specific Quick Start Guide (QSG), which can be found on our website:

• OBDLink MX+ QSG
• OBDLink CX QSG
• OBDLink LX QSG

The basic QSG steps are repeated here for convenience.

1. Download the OBDLink app from: www.obdlink.com/apps
2. Start the engine.
3. Plug your OBDLink adapter into the OBD port, which is usually in the driver’s footwell.
4. (MX+ and LX models only) Push the Pair button on the adapter.
   On your phone/tablet, go to Device Settings > Bluetooth and pair with your OBDLink adapter.
5. On your phone/tablet, launch the OBDLink app and tap Connect.
6. Allow location services while using the OBDLink app.

Note: You must use the Connection Wizard in the OBDLink app the first time you connect a new adapter or if you add a new vehicle. If the Connection Wizard doesn't start automatically for you, tap Settings > Set Up New Adapter.

iOS	Android

Bluetooth tips

If your OBDLink adapter will not connect to your phone/tablet, try these Bluetooth tips:

• Unplug your OBDLink adapter and plug it back in again.
  Note: It may take 45-60 seconds for your adapter to show up in the Connection Wizard Accessory menu when you first plug it in.
• Make sure your phone/tablet is not streaming to any other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
• Power-cycle Bluetooth by turning it off and on again in your phone/tablet’s Settings > Bluetooth menu.
• On your phone/tablet, go to Device Settings > Bluetooth and select your OBDLink adapter.

Note: You may have issues connecting if another OBD app is running, because the OBDLink adapter can only connect to one app at a time. You can’t run the OBDLink app and another third-party OBD app (such as FORScan or AlfaOBD) at the same time.

Communication settings

Try changing your adapter communication settings with these steps:

1. Start your vehicle.
2. Make sure your phone/tablet is not streaming to any other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
3. Open the OBDLink app and navigate to Settings > Preferences > Communications > OBD-II Protocol.
4. Set the protocol to Automatic.
5. Disable the Start with Last Connected Protocol option.
6. On the app Home screen, tap Connect.

Factory reset (OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink LX adapters only)

If you have an OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink LX adapter, try these steps to do a factory reset. 

1. Perform a factory reset on the adapter by holding the button (highlighted below) for 15 seconds or until the green POWER LED flashes rapidly.
   When factory settings have been restored, the green POWER LED will turn solid.
   
   

   OBDLink MX+	OBDLink LX

   
   
2. Remove your OBDLink adapter from your phone’s Settings > Bluetooth menu (if present). 

3. Press the button again and make sure the BT LED is flashing rapidly. 

4. Pair your adapter to your phone or tablet using the Connection Wizard in the OBDLink app by tapping Settings > Set Up New Adapter.

   
   

Learn more

• Are you a new user? For step-by-step details for using your adapter with your vehicle and the OBDLink app, including viewing gauges and checking diagnostics, see the Get Started with Your OBDLink® Adapter (iOS and Android) article.
• You can explore other OBDLink features and functionality using our support article knowledge base. 
• For descriptions of terms used in this article, see the Glossary of Acronyms and Terms.

Need more help?

OBDLink Support Forum 

Submit a Support Ticket 

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