Resolve Bluetooth Audio Not Working on Windows 11 with These 12 Tips (2024)

We explain how to fix Bluetooth audio issues on Windows 11 with easy step-by-step solutions.

Windows 11 uses Bluetooth 5.3 along with other enhanced Bluetooth audio capabilities for a more seamless wireless experience.

Despite these advancements, many users still face frustrating Bluetooth audio issues, like no sound or audio coming from their speakers when trying to connect to their Windows 11 PC.

Don’t fret – our article outlines 12 solutions for Bluetooth audio problems on Windows 11 so you can enjoy your media without needing wired headphones. Keep reading to find out how!

1. Set Your Bluetooth Device as the Default Output Device

If your Bluetooth headphones aren’t set as the primary audio output on your Windows PC, they won’t produce sound. You can fix this by selecting them as the default in your audio settings. Here’s how:

1. Click on the speaker icon in your taskbar.
2. Select the arrow next to the volume slider in the mini-control panel.
3. Select your Bluetooth audio device from the list to set it as the default output device.

   

Setting my default audio output was effortless and quick, with the whole process completed in only a few seconds.

2. Remove All Bluetooth Devices and Re-Pair Your Default Device

Bluetooth bandwidth is shared among connected devices, and too many connections can lead to audio issues. If your Bluetooth audio isn’t working, try disconnecting other devices and reconnecting your chosen audio device. Here’s how to do so:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
2. Click the three dots next to each device’s name and select Remove device to disconnect all Bluetooth devices.

   

3. Select Add a device > Bluetooth. Then, activate pairing mode on your Bluetooth headphones.

   Remember that activating pairing mode varies by brand and model, though this usually involves holding the power button for a few seconds. If that doesn’t work, consult your device’s manual.

4. Choose your Bluetooth audio device from the list and wait for it to connect.

   

Clearing my Bluetooth settings of all devices made re-pairing only my headphones faster, as no other devices were competing to pair.

3. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

If Bluetooth audio is not working in Windows 11, consider using the built-in Bluetooth troubleshooter. It identifies problems such as pairing difficulties, audio driver errors, or incorrect settings that affect Bluetooth audio devices and suggests fixes. Here’s how to access and run it:

1. Go to Start > Settings > System.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth > Run and follow the onscreen instructions.

   

Accessing the troubleshooter was straightforward and efficient in pinpointing the problem. I resolved the issue with the onscreen prompts without needing advanced technical knowledge.

4. Restart Your Device

Restarting your Windows 11 PC can fix Bluetooth audio issues by clearing temporary glitches and refreshing the system. This helps re-establish stable connections with Bluetooth audio devices. To reboot your PC, click Start > Power > Restart.

5. Turn on Your PC’s Built-in Bluetooth Adapter

A Bluetooth adapter is essential for connecting your computer to wireless devices like headphones. If disabled, Bluetooth devices won’t work, resulting in no sound on your wireless headphones. You’ll also be unable to modify Bluetooth settings until the adapter is reactivated.

Follow these steps to ensure the built-in Bluetooth adapter for your device is enabled:

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Click the arrow to the left of Bluetooth to open the drop-down menu, then search for your Bluetooth audio device.
3. Right-click the icon with a downward arrow (indicating it’s disabled) and select Enable device.

   

Activating my PC’s Bluetooth adapter let me quickly reconnect my wireless headphones without impacting other PC functions and required only a few clicks and minutes to complete.

6. Disable Handsfree Telephony

The Handsfree Telephony feature, intended for phone call functionality, can mistakenly treat app audio as calls. As such, the feature may block regular audio playback and result in no sound from Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

To address no Bluetooth audio on Windows 11, disable Handsfree Telephony with these steps:

1. Go to Start, search for Control Panel, and select Devices and Printers.
2. Click View more devices > More devices and printer settings.

   

3. Double-click your Bluetooth audio device.
4. Go to the Services tab and uncheck Handsfree Telephony.

   

7. Enable the Audio Sink

In Windows 11, the Audio Sink service is essential for Bluetooth audio devices as it handles audio playback. If inactive, the connected Bluetooth device won’t play audio even when connected to your PC. Enabling this service is key to resolving issues where Bluetooth audio isn’t working.

Here’s how to do just that:

1. Search for Control Panel in Start, then go to Devices and Printers.
2. Choose View more devices > More devices and printer settings.
3. Double-click your Bluetooth audio device.
4. Under the Services tab, check Audio Sink to enable it.

   

8. Restart and Set Your Bluetooth Support Service to Automatic

A malfunctioning Bluetooth service can lead to a missing Bluetooth menu or connection issues, resulting in no Bluetooth audio on Windows 11. Restarting the Bluetooth Support Service and setting it to start automatically can resolve and prevent these problems.

Follow these steps to get it done:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, then click OK.
2. Right-click Bluetooth Support Service and click Restart.

   

3. Right-click Bluetooth Support Service again and click Properties.
4. Change the Startup type to Automatic and click OK to save changes.

   

I recently encountered a problem with a missing Bluetooth menu in Device Manager, and this method helped. It’s similar to the “turn it off, then on again” and takes only a few seconds to execute.

9. Update Your Bluetooth and Audio Drivers

Bluetooth and audio drivers facilitate communication between Windows and your Bluetooth device. If they’re outdated, they can become faulty. Updating these drivers resolves compatibility and functionality issues, fixing Bluetooth audio problems on Windows 11.

Follow this guide to update your Bluetooth and audio drivers:

1. Hold the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Right-click your device’s name under Bluetooth, then select Properties.
3. In the Driver tab, select Update Driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers to begin the update process.

   

Check whether your Bluetooth audio device has dedicated drivers for Windows 11 by searching for “[brand name] driver for Windows 11” online.

10. Let Windows 11 Reinstall All Sound Drivers

If you’re not getting Bluetooth audio, the issue might be corrupted Bluetooth or sound drivers. Identifying the faulty ones can be challenging, so it’s best to reinstall all drivers using the Windows Device Manager. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager.
2. Open the Sound, video and game controllers drop-down menu.
3. Right-click on each item under it, select Uninstall device, then restart your PC.

   

4. After restarting, Windows should automatically reinstall the drivers. Check Device Manager to see if the uninstalled devices are back, confirming the drivers are reinstalled.

Reinstalling sound drivers on my PC quickly resolved Bluetooth issues without impacting functionality. It also took only a few minutes, including the restart. That said, if your Bluetooth device isn’t in Device Manager, ensure it’s paired with your PC, then use Scan for hardware changes to let Windows automatically install the needed drivers.

11. Enable the Device Association Service

The Device Association Service manages pairing wired and wireless devices with Windows. If it’s not running, it could be why your Bluetooth audio isn’t working on Windows 11. To rule this out, check its status with these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, then click OK.
2. Find the Device Association Service entry and check its status.
3. If the service status doesn’t say Running, right-click it and select Start.

   Ensure the Device Association Framework Provider Host is also active, as it collaborates with the Device Association Service to register external devices.

   

12. As a Last Resort, Rollback to Windows 10

Bluetooth audio issues on PCs following a Windows 11 upgrade are often due to compatibility problems. For instance, Windows 11’s strict requirements, like TPM 2.0 for enhanced security, can cause issues on older PCs lacking this feature.

If audio issues persist despite troubleshooting, consider using Windows 11’s 10-day grace period to roll back to Windows 10, which may resolve compatibility issues and stabilize your system. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Click Start > Settings.
2. Select System > Recovery.
3. Choose Go back to start reverting to Windows 10.

I found the rollback process very user-friendly, which I appreciated. Remember, if you miss the grace period, you must manually reinstall Windows 10 via instructions on Microsoft’s support page.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know if my PC has Bluetooth?
• Does Windows 11 have better Bluetooth?
• Is Windows 11 better than Windows 10?

How do I know if my PC has Bluetooth?

To see if your PC has Bluetooth, right-click Start, select Device Manager, and look for a Bluetooth category. Alternatively, check the System Tray for a Bluetooth icon. If you can’t find any Bluetooth options, your PC might not have Bluetooth or need a driver update.

Does Windows 11 have better Bluetooth?

Windows 11 has better Bluetooth device management, allowing battery checks and easy connecting/disconnecting via the System Tray, making troubleshooting easier. However, it doesn’t entirely fix all reliability issues, such as the random selection of devices for audio output or calls, which can be problematic during video conferences.

Is Windows 11 better than Windows 10?

Windows 11 surpasses Windows 10 with AI integration (Windows Copilot), better memory management, improved tablet mode for supported devices, Android app support, and a modern UI built for multitasking. While it faces some bugs and stricter system requirements, it’s a worthwhile upgrade for compatible systems.