Question Bluetooth - Range dropped significantly

sblue

Honorable
Nov 6, 2018
20
0
10,510
Hi-

The title states the issue - Bluetooth range dropping to about 20-50cm before having stable connection.

I perceive the experience when connecting a bluetooth speaker to the PC.
Previously I have had no issue connecting blue devices to the PC.

I have tried connecting multiple speakers with the same result - They need to be 20-50cm within the PC before they can connect and play music with a stable connection.
I am on Windows 10 Home 64bit
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz
GPU: RTX 2060
Bluetooth 5.0: Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)
Motherboard: ROG MAXIMUS XI HERO (WI-FI) - Intel Z390 ATX
 
See your mobo manual, p. 2-14 regarding the antenna module for BOTH WiFi and Bluetooth. Check that both cables of that are plugged into the two rear ports and securely tightened. Then ensure that the antenna module is placed in a clear spot with no junk around it to interfere with its radio signals.
 
Given the right conditions, Bluetooth range can exceed half a mile.
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-howto/howtobluesniperpt1/

On a more serious note, check for other Bluetooth devices in the vicinity that might be causing interference, using Nirsoft's Bluetooth Viewer.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/bluetooth_viewer.html
N.B. This won't show microwave oven interference.

What frequency are your speakers using, 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz?
Do you have a mobile phone with Bluetooth enabled next to your speakers?
Did you change anything (hardware/software) immediately prior to the fault?
What version of comms protocol is used by the Bluetooth speakers?

As @Paperdoc implies, with bad antenna connections on the PC, your Bluetooth speakers will only receive weak signals from inside the PC chassis, which would explain the 20 to 50cm range.