StreamSocket connection to Bluetooth Device using MAC address

Question

Hi,

I am trying to connect to a Bluetooth printer from my Windows 8.1 Store app as follows:

using Windows.Networking.Sockets;

StreamSocket streamSocket = new StreamSocket();

HostName printerHostName = new HostName("7A:00:0B:D7:0F:47");

await streamSocket.ConnectAsync(printerHostName, "BtPrinter", SocketProtectionLevel.PlainSocket);

The ConnectAsync function throws this exception:

The requested address is not valid in its context. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80072741)

I work with the following environment:

1. Visual Studio 2013 on my Windows 8.1 Enterprise dev. machine.
2. Windows 8.1 (less than enterprise) on my Acer Iconia tablet, with remote debugger.

I checked the following things:

• Bluetooth is enabled in the tablet, it is able to discover bluetooth devices.
• There is no inner exception in the raised Access is denied exception.
• I enabled all capabilities in the apps manifest.
• I have tried all values of the SocketProtectionLevel enum, all values produce the same exception.
• I made sure the app is allowed to communicate through the windows firewall (no idea if that is related to my problem, I hope it doesn't harm)

I added the following capability xml to the manifest file:

  <m2:DeviceCapability Name="bluetooth.rfcomm">
     <m2:Device Id="any">
       <m2:Function Type="name:serialPort"/>
     </m2:Device>   
  </m2:DeviceCapability>

Still I am unable to connect the StreamSocket! I have no idea why? I hop I didn't miss anything. Your help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Regards,

Faris

Answer 1

I want to clarify the error that you are receiving? Initially you mention that you get a HRESULT: 0x80072741 and later on you mention that you are getting: "There is no inner exception in the raised Access is denied exception".

What is the actual exception? Is it 0x80072741 or an access denied?

---

Windows Store Developer Solutions #WSDevSol || Want more solutions? See our blog, http://aka.ms/t4vuvz

Answer 2

Can you try with the Hostname value in "curly" braces?

i.e: HostName printerHostName = new HostName("{7A:00:0B:D7:0F:47}");

---

Windows Store Developer Solutions, follow us on Twitter: @WSDevSol|| Want more solutions? See our blog

Answer 3

The curly braces caused an InvalidArgument exception in the HostName constructor.