Windows 10 version 1803 April 2018 update broke bluetooth volume control.

Anonymous

My pc automatically updated to the April 2018 update, version 1803.

After restarting my PC I notice my volume control via Bluetooth will not adjust the volume anymore. Speakers are Creative T30

However if I am in WMP or iTunes the slider changes the volume.

If I use my Microsoft keyboard volume keys or the speaker Icon on the taskbar the slider moves but no volume is changed. However if I slide all the way left the volume turns off.

Anyone else having issues.

Any ideas or is a Microsoft patch already required?

I have tried uninstalling driver and rebooting but no change.

Cheers

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Microsoft is aware of reports that the Absolute Volume feature is incompatible with some Bluetooth devices, resulting in the inability to adjust the Bluetooth device’s volume. If you are experiencing this issue, neither the volume slider in the taskbar, nor the device’s volume controls have any effect on volume.

To resolve this issue, first make sure you’ve installed the latest Windows Updates. A solution was included in the October 24, 2018—KB4462933 (OS Build 17134.376) update for Windows 10 version 1803. To check for updates, select the Start button, and then go to Settings> Update & security> Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

Three devices that are known to experience the issue will automatically have the Absolute Volume feature disabled and should no longer experience the issue once you’ve installed KB4462933: Creative T30 Wireless Speakers, Edifier R2000 DB, and the JBL Go.

For other Bluetooth devices, once you’ve installed KB4462933 or once you've installed Windows 10 version 1809, you can resolve the issue by disabling Absolute Volume manually by making a change in the registry. (Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For added protection, back up the registry before attempting to modify it.)

To disable the Absolute Volume feature manually:

1. In the Search box, type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt in the Search results and select Run as administrator.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To re-enable the Absolute Volume feature:

1. In the Search box, type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt in the Search results and select Run as administrator.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

You may need to restart Windows for the registry change to take effect.

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Anonymous

Windows bluetooth dev here

If anyone can't control their BT speaker/headphones volume from the PC after the update, can you share a product link to what device you're using?

We added "absolute volume" in the last update which lets the Windows volume slider directly control the local volume of BT speakers/headphones who support it.

Sorry to hear this is happening, I already made a note to look into the Creative T30/T50, Edifier 1700BT, JBL Bar 5.1, we want this to work as best as possible so let me know the devices you're having issues with and we'll look into it.

Thanks guys!

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161 additional answers

Anonymous

2018-08-16T14:44:16+00:00

Four monts and the trouble still exist.

My case:

Speakers Edifier R2000DB attached to Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I (rev. 4.2) Bluetooth.

Edifier R2000DB product page

Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I (rev. 4.2) product page

Also i am experiencing the same trouble with above speakers attached to HP Elitebook 840 G5
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Anonymous

2018-08-11T09:42:06+00:00

So all manufacturers of devices that wish to pair with Bluetooth speakers have to - at great expense - rewrite software to fall in line with Microsoft's arbitrary (you do know what this word means, right?) decision to directly control the volume control of a speaker? Despite the fact there is no user demand for this function and everything worked perfectly fine before. You've never run a business have you? You get nowhere offering failed solutions to problems which don't exist.

In addition, there was no forewarning to these manufactures from Microsoft that this was going to happen and the implementation was so poor the new 'functionality' didn't work (hence the existence of this thread and now our tiresome discourse), despite Windows updates being put through the Insider Program for bugs to be ironed out.

Like I said: corporate arrogance...

To be honest Kiwi, I don't really think you have a clue what you are talking about.

Hold your horses there Frogman78. You're making many unfounded assumptions. I notice you haven't disputed two key points that if other OS manufacturers also afforded full volume control, this alleged mismatch wouldn't exist when swapping speakers around also that full volume control reduces 'workload'. In the end its the greater good that must be served.

As a former qualified IT Technician where I also worked as a teacher of computer programming, I can tell you many hardware manufacturers have teams of trained professionals in place to write driver updates that correspond with new OS's or even OS build updates. I've even re-written/edited a driver for a modem to fix a Caller ID issue - technically it was only a configuration (inf) file but that is still looked upon by many as part of a 'driver package'. If anything Microsoft is making things easier for these companies by making Windows 10 the last consumer OS they will release. Other major OS providers have given no such assurances.

I don't know what you're basing your claim that there is no user demand for full volume control on. I've been wanting this for years but ironically the device I most want this on, my Microsoft Lumia 950 phone will not be receiving such a Windows 10 update as Microsoft have stated Windows 10 Mobile isn't planned to go beyond version 1709. My tablets and home PC are my only devices that will benefit.

I don't know how many years you've been a member of Toastmasters International for or how far up the 'rank' structure you've risen (CTM for me). Although I don't often use the word arbitrary, a quick check shows my intended usage was spot on. Microsoft's decision to make these changes will not have been on a whim but will have been planned for some time based on user feedback and their own research. I've also worked in a self employed capacity as a researcher so I think I have a pretty good understanding of these matters.

As well as the more 'consumer oriented' insider line, Microsoft has many ways of keeping hardware manufacturers updated with their plans regarding OS changes. The date on the updated Realtek driver for my tablets BT UART is around the same time as when version 1803 was released in April so that's no coincidence. About the only improvement I would have liked to have seen in this regard was to have the new driver automatically installed, either as part of the 1803 download itself or as an immediate 'live update'. This would have eliminated the need for me to go searching for it. Microsoft can do their best to keep hardware manufacturers fully informed but whether such manufacturers choose to respond in a timely fashion is ultimately up to them.
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Anonymous

2018-08-10T06:57:45+00:00

AOMAIS Ball speakers. Volume slider does not change the volume level, only mutes it if set to 0. Speakers detected as type "headphones".

Product link: https://www.amazon.com/AOMAIS-Ball-Bluetooth-Speakers-Waterproof/dp/B06Y2P76D4
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