Bluetooth headset will only show as hands-free device, but not stereo.

This was the fix for anyone that lands here:

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1093297-bluetooth-a2dp-source-gives-error-52/

It boiled down to a driver issue that is not listed under the device manager under Bluetooth.

Bluetooth A2DP Source, the driver had an error code 52. Googling the exact text from the driver error is how I found the fix, but I cannot explain in technical detail because I am a pleb.

The link copy pasted below:

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Hey guys,

I had the same problem with my Phillips Bluetooth Headphones (only hands-free audio is working). In device manager I also got reported Error Code 52. I traced the error down to a broken driver signature and therefore tried to repair system files with the DISM and sfc tools build in in Windows 10. In order to repair that behaviour you will have to:

"Remove the headphones in windows settings in the devices tab and continue with these steps":

1. Run CMD as administrator (right click -> run as admin)
2. insert: "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" (of course without ") -> This will take some minutes
3. After finishing DISM you will need to run "sfc /scannow" (also without ") in CMD (also as administrator)
4. Done!

After this process, my headphones are working as before. I think in my case the latest update of Windows/or maybe the install of the latest AMD Radeon driver somehow broke the signature of the Microsoft A2DP Driver.

I hope the solution is working on your machines too!

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Thanks greg for being condescending and completely unhelpful. Oh btw you might want to edit your canned response to include this, unless you actually still count redoing most of windows as an actual fix option. Enjoy another veto.

I've tried all of these from previous google searches, and it was not caused by an update, my last update was before the issue.

Let me clarify, my headset will pair, and work, but only in the Hands-Free AG mode. The Stereo option no longer exists. 

In Bluetooth settings it only shows as "Connected voice", where as before it showed voice and music. 

I'm loosing me mind.

Hi MEOW. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

I will give you everything that's working for others with the known issues with Bluetooth and headsets:

First HEADSET:

Right click Volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, Open Sound Settings, in dropdown menus at top make sure Headphones are selected.

If not choose Troubleshoot.

Also try the Hardware Troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Go to the Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, choose Sound controller device, on Driver tab choose Roll back or Uninstall, restart PC using keyboard to Ctrl Alt Del, on blue screen tab to Power Icon in bottom right, press Enter, arrow down to Restart, press Enter to restart to reinstall the driver.

Do the same for the headset device and/or it's microphone.

Update the Sound driver from the PC or Device maker's Support downloads web page. While there also check that the Chipset, BIOS, Display, USB, Network and all other drivers are the most current.

BLUETOOTH Troubleshooting:

See Fixes here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14169/...

http://superuser.com/questions/823894/how-to-ma...

Try the Bluetooth troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Try turning off Fast Startup at Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do > Change settings that are unavailable > uncheck Fast Startup.

Try Updating the Bluetooth driver from the PC maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. Install it even if it's the same or newer than the one in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button.

Right click Start button to access Device Manager, locate Bluetooth device (if necessary from View tab Show Hidden Devices), on Driver tab see if Roll Back is available, if not try Update Driver, first automatically, then Browse, then Let Me Pick to try all previously installed Drivers.

If these fail try to Uninstall the Driver, restart PC to reinstall.

Then try pairing again, if necessary run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter again.

If you think the BT adapter has failed, you can replace it easily with a USB nano adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/ZEXMTE-Bluetooth-Receive...

If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1903 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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No need to repeat the problem as I already provided most the fixes for the issue.

Dd you try DISM followed by SFC in Step 10 in the Checklist I gave you in my first post? This repairs broken driver signature of the MS A2DP BT driver.