If you have issues connecting your OBDLink® Bluetooth adapter to your phone or tablet, try the steps in this article to resolve the problem. 

This article contains the following sections:


Quick start steps

Each OBDLink Bluetooth adapter has a model-specific Quick Start Guide (QSG), which can be found on our website:


The basic QSG steps are repeated here for convenience.

  1. Download the OBDLink app from: www.obdlink.com/apps
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Plug your OBDLink adapter into the OBD port, which is usually in the driver’s footwell.
  4. (MX+ and LX models only) Push the Pair button on the adapter.
    On your phone/tablet, go to Device Settings > Bluetooth and pair with your OBDLink adapter.
  5. On your phone/tablet, launch the OBDLink app and tap Connect.
  6. Allow location services while using the OBDLink app.


Bluetooth tips

If your OBDLink adapter will not connect to your phone/tablet, try these Bluetooth tips:

  • Unplug your OBDLink adapter and plug it back in again.
    Note: It may take 45-60 seconds for your adapter to show up in the Accessory menu when you first plug it in and use the OBDLink app Connection Wizard.
  • Make sure your phone/tablet is not streaming to any other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
  • Power-cycle Bluetooth by turning it off and on again in your phone/tablet’s Settings > Bluetooth menu.
  • On your phone/tablet, go to Device Settings > Bluetooth and select your OBDLink adapter.

Note: You may have issues connecting if another OBD app is running, because the OBDLink adapter can only connect to one app at a time. You can’t run the OBDLink app and another third-party OBD app (such as FORScan or AlfaOBD) at the same time.


Communication settings

Try changing your adapter communication settings with these steps:

  1. Start your vehicle.
  2. Make sure your phone/tablet is not streaming to any other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
  3. Open the OBDLink app and navigate to Settings > Preferences > Communications > OBD-II Protocol.
  4. Set the protocol to Automatic.
  5. Disable the Start with Last Connected Protocol option.
  6. On the app Home screen, tap Connect.


If you have an OBDLink MX+ or OBDLink LX adapter, try these steps to do a factory reset. 

  1. Perform a factory reset on the adapter by holding the button (highlighted below) for 15 seconds or until the green POWER LED flashes rapidly.
    When factory settings have been restored, the green POWER LED will turn solid.

    OBDLink MX+OBDLink LX
    OBDLink MX+ adapter with a red arrow pointing to the button.OBDLink LX adapter with a red arrow pointing to the button.

  2. Remove your OBDLink adapter from your phone’s Settings > Bluetooth menu (if present). 

  3. Press the button again and make sure the BT LED is flashing rapidly. 

  4. Pair your adapter to your phone or tablet in the OBDLink app by tapping Settings > Connection Wizard.


Need more help?

  • We have an article knowledge base on our support site that can help you get started with the OBDLink app, learn to use different app features, and troubleshoot issues. See all our support articles here. 
  • For descriptions of terms used in this article, see the Glossary of Acronyms and Terms.


If you have a question that you can’t resolve on your own, you can add a post on our OBDLink Support Forum or submit a support ticket. Either of these options will give you the quickest response time. 




OBDLink® is a registered trademark of OBD Solutions, LLC.