Bluetooth issues

Question

Bluetooth issues

Jon Halford 0

When I connect a device to Bluetooth no sound comes from the device connected

John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T18:32:31.4733333+00:00
Hi, @Jon Halford

Please go to Settings > System > Sound > Output and check whether your Bluetooth device is selected there.

To help narrow down the issue:

What Bluetooth device are you connecting: headphones, speaker, or something else? Please include the make/model if possible.

Does Windows show it as Connected or Connected audio under Settings > Bluetooth & devices?

Does the same Bluetooth device play sound normally when connected to another device, such as your phone?

Also, press Windows + R, type winver and let me know the Windows 11 version and OS build shown.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

1 answer

Your answer

John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T18:32:31.4733333+00:00

Hi, @Jon Halford

Please go to Settings > System > Sound > Output and check whether your Bluetooth device is selected there.

To help narrow down the issue:

What Bluetooth device are you connecting: headphones, speaker, or something else? Please include the make/model if possible.

Does Windows show it as Connected or Connected audio under Settings > Bluetooth & devices?

Does the same Bluetooth device play sound normally when connected to another device, such as your phone?

Also, press Windows + R, type winver and let me know the Windows 11 version and OS build shown.

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Try these steps in order on Windows 11:

Select the correct Bluetooth audio output.
- Click the Sound icon on the taskbar.
- Make sure the Bluetooth device is selected as the audio output.
- Or go to Start > Settings > System > Sound and under Choose your output device, select the Bluetooth device.
Adjust the audio format.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Select the Bluetooth device, then Advanced sound properties.
- Under Output settings, set Format to 2 channels, 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality).
- The device must be connected for Advanced sound properties to appear.
Remove and pair the device again.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Find the device, select More options (...) > Remove device.
- Select Add device and pair it again.
Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
Update the Bluetooth driver.
- Open Start > Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Restart the PC if prompted.
Check for Windows updates.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
Restart the PC.
- Select Start > Power > Restart.
Check device compatibility.
- Make sure the Bluetooth audio device supports A2DP, which is required for higher-quality audio streaming.

If the Bluetooth connection also drops frequently, check whether Energy Saver is on and turn it off, and in Device Manager > Bluetooth adapter > Power Management, clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.