I’m running and Alien Alpha and it always takes a long time (several minutes) to discover and pair devices. I have tried recently the TP-Link UB500 Bluetooth Dongle and this actually increased the time it took to discover devices. I have no issues with dropouts once paired. I have tried the sfc/scannow command, and am using latest drivers, and have disabled the internal Bluetooth device. I have also ensured I have the latest visual C runtime. This is for all device types (Kickr Bike and Wahoo HR Tickr). Having found the power source, it even takes longer to find cadence and controllable trainer.
Is this unusual, my macbook pro pairs almost instantly to the same devices.
That’s not been my experience on either Mac or Windows. I have a fairly modern Windows 10 desktop PC (12th gen i5) using a TP-Link UB400 attached to a 2m extension, obviously a completely different device chipset and driver. Kickr Core trainer. It typically takes a few seconds to pair and has been stable. Same on an M1 MacBook Pro using internal Bluetooth.
Did you find a solution here? I have a similar set up, UB500 and KickR Bike, same issue. I moved from an ATV and have been disappointed, and literally it will take 2-5 min. to discover devices.
I found a work around, by waiting to power up the Kickr Bike until at the BT/pairing screen when starting a ride. If you do that, or power on/off then, it will pair instantaneously. I believe this is probably some sort of a stay-alive issue with the Kickr Bike, and since Zwift no longer is updating the firmware I think this is the reason.