Windows Bluetooth Discovery Timeout Regedit Key

This article provides the exact Windows Registry location and configuration values used to manage system-wide Bluetooth radio discovery timeouts. Modifying these registry parameters allows system administrators and power users to control the duration the Bluetooth stack remains discoverable or spends querying nearby devices.

Registry Location

The configuration keys controlling system-wide Bluetooth radio settings and discovery timeouts are located under the BTHPORT service parameters key in the Windows Registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BTHPORT\Parameters

Configurable Timeout Values

Within this key, the system handles inquiry and discovery cycles using specific DWORD (32-bit) values:

• DiscoveryTimeout: Defines the length of time (in seconds) the Bluetooth adapter remains in discovery mode when searching for nearby devices.
• InquiryTimeout: Defines the hardware inquiry duration used by the Bluetooth stack to poll for remote endpoints.
• RadioDiscoveryTimeout: Used in specific hardware implementations to govern the radio’s general broadcast discoverability state.

If these values are not present by default, they can be created manually as DWORD (32-bit) Value entries.

How to Modify the Timeout

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BTHPORT\Parameters
3. Right-click on an empty area in the right-hand pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DiscoveryTimeout.
4. Double-click the newly created entry, set the Base to Decimal, and enter the desired timeout duration in seconds.
5. Click OK to save the changes.
6. Restart the Bluetooth Support Service (bthserv) via the Services management console (services.msc) or restart the computer for the changes to take effect across the operating system.