Curt Echo Brake Controller Will Not Pair To Phone With Working Bluetooth Connection

Updated 04/04/2026 | Published 03/16/2020

Question:

I keep getting the blue blinking light on the controller. Phone says its paired, blutetoooth on. It seems my phone/app cant find the brake controller unit.

asked by: Brent

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are trying to pair the Curt Echo part # C51180 to the Bluetooth on your phone which is why the app is not recognizing it. You want to go into your settings on your phone and make sure you disconnect the Bluetooth from the Curt Echo device. Then go to the Curt app and pair the brake controller. If you do not disconnect the Bluetooth from the Echo in your settings it will not allow you to pair on the app. You want to connect through the app not your phone settings.

expert reply by: Heather A

Paul

3/16/2024

I have tried to connect my android phone as directed, I have downloaded the app, plugged in the echo Bluetooth brake controller, and inputted my pin # in my phone in the app, but it will not connect, Bluetooth is off but yet it comes up with this app must use the Bluetooth to connect and it doesn't , I've started my vehicle ,turned on 4 way flashers as some suggest , must I stand on my head to get it to connect???

3/28/2024

@Paul Bluetooth doesn't need to be turned off on your phone, it just needs to not be directly connected to the ECHO. Bluetooth on the phone needs to be enable so that the OneControl app can use the Bluetooth to find the ECHO and connect.

Paul S.

3/30/2024

@Gm Thanks I got it figured out, works great

Chris

5/22/2024

@PaulS what did you do to figure it out. It's doing the same thing to me. It's not paired in my phone, Bluetooth on the phone sees the device but the app pairing does not.

Avram

5/31/2024

My echo pairs with android phone and shows the device name and it's MAC address,, but times out waiting to communicate. Im stuck.

Heather A.

6/13/2024

@Avram Is the Curt application on your phone telling you it's timing out? if you are trying to bluetooth using your phone, it will not pair. There is a light on the curt echo itself as well that will blink different colors to help you troubleshoot. Is that light blinking any colors?

Ron N.

5/24/2025

@HeatherA The manual says Android app 9 and above. I have 10, and it won't pair with the controller.

Craig

5/19/2025

Need code for app for app to connect to bluetooth

Heather A.

5/20/2025

@Craig Are you using the Curt Echo Brake Controller app from the App Store or Google Play? I have never heard of needing a code before. Once you open the app, it should scan for nearby devices and then you will tap on your echo to connect.

Mike

6/11/2025

Hi Heather, Do I disconnect or unpair? Thanks, Mike

Heather A.

7/1/2025

@Mike You want to disconnect the Echo from your blue tooth on your phone and forget the device.

Patrickinbama

8/23/2025

I had the same issue, I followed the directions to the T and never could completely pair. Blinking blue light, see the device in the app's connect screen, but after 5 to 10 minutes it fails to connect with a red banner. I did everything in the comments and still nothing. So I started to wonder if everything I'm doing is correct but the pin is wrong. So I lifted the lid on the controller and the pin there did not match the one on the card. I have no idea how I got that enter pin prompt to reappear but it did on its own after about 15 minutes of trying to connect the 5th time. I entered the pin from the device and this time it worked. If you have been using the pin on the card compare to the one inside the lid of the controller since the pin there should be matched to that device (one hopes). I guess worse case, is their QA sucks and they placed the wrong pin inside the lid too. In that case, you are out of luck. The thing is, the software does not tell you that the pin is incorrect, it just tries to pair up and then will fail after several minutes.

Carla S.

4/4/2026

I'm not able to connect either. I keep getting a message that Bluetooth needs to be turned on, It IS turned on. I followed all directions to the letter. I did not try to pair through my Bluetooth setting, and the device name is not showing there, so there's nothing to have it forget. I updated the app and tried closing it, disconnecting, and starting over, but no dice. I have a flashing green light indicating that it is trying to pair, and yet it never syncs and it repeatedly tells me to turn on bluetooth. Need help please! This is preventing us from getting on the road!!!