# Tacx Vortex Zwift and bluetooth **URL:** \ **Category:** Bugs and Support\ **Tags:** pairing-error\ **Created:** [October 6, 2019, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799 "2019-10-06T11:19:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Martin\_Evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/martin_evans/32/66684_2.png) [@Martin\_Evans](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Martin_Evans)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/1 "2019-10-06T11:19:01Z")
I am new to Zwift and was initially using a dumb trainer with speed, cadence and hr sensors. I successfully got this to work connected to my windows 10 pc by using the android companion app. Frustratingly i could not get any of these sensors to connect over bluetooth directly to the pc. I enjoyed using Zwift this way but i have recently purchased a Tacx Vortex smart trainer. My god the frustration this has caused. Windows 10 does not see the vortex using windows bluetooth. I can sometimes pair it successfully with the companion app, i dont how or what i do differently but most of the time it will pair the vortex as a power meter and cadence sensor but will not see the vortex as a programmable trainer! If i use Zwift on my phone it will pair the Vortex successfully, but i dont want to ride looking at my phone screen. What is it with Zwift and bluetooth? why is it so difficult? If i use the Tacx windows app it will pair the Vortex using windows bluetooth and work perfectly. I have read several other posts of people with similar issues with a Vortex and other trainers using bluetooth, will an Ant+ usb dongle be the answer? If anybody has any tips or advice i would be very grateful. As it stands i have spent more time messing around getting it to connect with bluetooth than riding it. I was tempted to look at other software but i like the social side of Zwift. ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/2 "2019-10-06T12:00:10Z")
> [@Martin\_Evans](#): > > Ant+ usb dongle be the answer? In my experience YES. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/martin_evans/32/66684_2.png) [@Martin\_Evans](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Martin_Evans)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/3 "2019-10-06T12:06:04Z")
Thanks, i think i will order an Ant+ dongle, i can at least give it a try. I am amazed there seems to be so many bluetooth issues with Zwift. Its not like its a new technology! ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/4 "2019-10-06T12:10:08Z")
I personally think Bluetooth on a pc is only good for music. ANT+ was developed for training data transmission and it does a very good at that. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/martin_evans/32/66684_2.png) [@Martin\_Evans](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Martin_Evans)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/5 "2019-10-10T19:33:59Z")
An update regarding my bluetooth issues. I have ordered an Ant+ usb dongle but its not arrived yet. I also purchased a cheap (£2) bluetooth 4 usb dongle from ebay. The new bluetooth dongle works perfectly No more disconnections. The pc picks up the vortex, my cadence sensor and hr monitor 1st time everytime. I had tried with 2 different bluetooth 4 adapters before with no success but this cheap and cheerful one works great. I will give the Ant+ a go but as it stands i am now very happy. No more pairing frustrations or annoying disconnections every ride 😃🚲 ---
**Author:** ![Hafsteinn\_Hafsteinss](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/hafsteinn_hafsteinss/32/47767_2.png) [@Hafsteinn\_Hafsteinss](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Hafsteinn_Hafsteinss)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/6 "2019-10-16T21:46:56Z")
Hi, may I ask do you now have a connection with the vortex directly from a pc via bluetooth without using the swift companion app on a phone/table? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/martin_evans/32/66684_2.png) [@Martin\_Evans](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Martin_Evans)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/7 "2019-10-16T22:35:22Z")
Yes. I have a connection direct from the pc to the vortex using Bluetooth. I did get the ant+ dongle too but found Bluetooth to be better because the range is greater. I have rode for several hours using Bluetooth with no dropouts or connection issues of any kind. Bluetooth has been perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Hafsteinn\_Hafsteinss](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/hafsteinn_hafsteinss/32/47767_2.png) [@Hafsteinn\_Hafsteinss](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Hafsteinn_Hafsteinss)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/8 "2019-10-16T22:39:18Z")
Nice, do you have a link to the type of bluetooth dongle you purchased? Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Evans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/martin_evans/32/66684_2.png) [@Martin\_Evans](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Martin_Evans)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/tacx-vortex-zwift-and-bluetooth/117799/9 "2019-10-16T22:59:39Z")
This is the one i got. I even got another as a spare because it works and was so cheap. [bluetooth link](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Generic-Wireless-USB-Bluetooth-Adapter-V4-0-CSR-for-Windows-7-8-10-PC-Laptop/303308070858?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649) I hope it works equally as good for you. I did also get the anself ANT+ dongle which does also work perfectly with the vortex but i found i needed to use a usb extension cable.