Bug 510916 - Bluetooth A2DP devices do not auto-connect on startup with BlueZ 5.83+ in KDE Plasma
Summary: Bluetooth A2DP devices do not auto-connect on startup with BlueZ 5.83+ in KDE...
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: plasmashell
Classification: Plasma
Component: Bluetooth in general (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 6.4.5
Platform: Fedora RPMs Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: 1.0
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-10-22 12:15 UTC by Calamardo
Modified: 2025-10-23 15:54 UTC (History)
6 users (show)

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Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:


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Description Calamardo 2025-10-22 12:15:58 UTC
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SUMMARY

Paired Bluetooth headsets do not automatically connect to the **A2DP** profile on system startup when running **BlueZ 5.83** or **5.84**. Manual reconnection via KDE Bluetooth settings or restarting `bluetooth.service` restores A2DP functionality. **BlueZ 5.81-2** works as expected. All affected systems use **KDE Plasma** as the desktop environment.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE

1. Use a system running KDE Plasma with BlueZ **5.83** or **5.84** (e.g., Fedora Linux 42).
2. Pair an A2DP-capable Bluetooth headset (for example: Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Lite or Redmi Buds 5).
3. Shut down or reboot the system while the headset is powered on and nearby.
4. After startup, observe whether the headset connects automatically to A2DP.

OBSERVED RESULT

The headset appears connected but does **not** automatically use the A2DP profile. Audio output may be unavailable until manual reconnection through KDE Bluetooth settings or by restarting `bluetooth.service`, which restores proper A2DP audio.

EXPECTED RESULT

Paired A2DP headsets should automatically reconnect to the A2DP profile and provide stereo audio on system startup, as they do with **BlueZ 5.81-2**.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows:
macOS:
Linux/KDE Plasma: Fedora Linux 42
KDE Plasma Version: 6.4.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.19.0
Qt Version: 6.9.2
BlueZ versions tested: **5.81-2** (working), **5.83**, **5.84** (regression)
Kernel Version: 6.17.4-200.fc42.x86_64 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hardware / system details:

* Bluetooth adapter: TP-Link UB500 Plus (Realtek RTL8761BU)
* Headsets affected: Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Lite, Redmi Buds 5
* Headset not affected: **Sony WH-CH510** (connects normally)
* CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 cores, 12 threads)
* Memory: 16 GiB RAM (15.5 GiB usable)
* GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
* Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M GAMING

RELATED REPORTS

This issue has been independently reported in several other trackers, all describing the same A2DP regression in KDE Plasma environments:

* Fedora Bugzilla — Bug 2397966: *Bluetooth A2DP connection fails on startup with BlueZ 5.83+ (KDE Plasma)*
  [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2397966](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2397966)
* Fedora Discussion — *Bluetooth A2DP Regression in BlueZ 5.83/5.84: Connection Fails on Startup (TP-Link UB500 Plus)*
  [https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/bluetooth-a2dp-regression-in-bluez-5-83-5-84-connection-fails-on-startup-tp-link-ub500-plus/165055](https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/bluetooth-a2dp-regression-in-bluez-5-83-5-84-connection-fails-on-startup-tp-link-ub500-plus/165055)
* BlueZ upstream — GitHub Issue #1570: *A2DP connection fails on startup with BlueZ 5.83/5.84*
  [https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/1570](https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/1570)

Other similar or related reports:

* Red Hat Bugzilla — Bug 2374150: *Soundcore Q30 disconnects A2DP after update (bluez-5.83-1.fc42)*
  [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2374150](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2374150)
* BlueZ GitHub — Issue #1545: *A2DP devices disconnect immediately after connecting (PipeWire/WirePlumber race condition)*
  [https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/1545](https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/1545)
Comment 1 Steve Cossette 2025-10-22 12:28:20 UTC
Yeah FYI, I am also experiencing this with my Bluetooth mouse. Almost every morning, I have to navigate using my keyboard to KDE Settings, in the Bluetooth section, and cycle the bluetooth function. Then, the mouse connects just fine.
Comment 2 TraceyC 2025-10-22 20:50:37 UTC
Clickable links (unfortunately, Bugzilla doesn't understand Markdown):

* Fedora Bugzilla — Bug 2397966: *Bluetooth A2DP connection fails on startup with BlueZ 5.83+ (KDE Plasma)*
  https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2397966
* Fedora Discussion — *Bluetooth A2DP Regression in BlueZ 5.83/5.84: Connection Fails on Startup (TP-Link UB500 Plus)*
  https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/bluetooth-a2dp-regression-in-bluez-5-83-5-84-connection-fails-on-startup-tp-link-ub500-plus/165055
* BlueZ upstream — GitHub Issue #1570: *A2DP connection fails on startup with BlueZ 5.83/5.84*
  https://github.com/bluez/bluez/issues/1570
Comment 3 TraceyC 2025-10-22 21:13:06 UTC
I tested this on Plasma built from git-master and bluez, version: 5.83, using Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds that are set to use A2DP (LDAC) 
I'm not able to reproduce the bug. 

Neal Gompa was able to reproduce, however, with Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

In this comment from the RedHat tracker, the bug is reported to be tied to a change in BlueZ that does not affect GNOME, but does affect KDE Plasma.
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2397966#c19

And here we're being asked to look into things on our side, 
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2397966#c38

> Yup, there's been no change so that would be expected. Someone who knows the KDE bluetooth stack is going to need to debug to work out what has changed in bluez that breaks that and not other desktops or what special stuff that KDE does.
Comment 4 Steve Cossette 2025-10-23 15:54:25 UTC
FYI, I have updated to KDE Plasma 6.5.0 Final and the problem still occurs with my Logitech MX Master 3