How do I make my bluetooth headphones connect to my computer AS AN AUDIO DEVICE, even though they are detected?

Question

How do I make my bluetooth headphones connect to my computer AS AN AUDIO DEVICE, even though they are detected?

Anonymous

As the question says, I have no problem connecting my Sony WF-C510 bluetooth earbuds to my computer. The issue is that they do not show up anywhere as an audio device. They don't show up when I click the sound icon in the bottom right of my monitor; they don't show up when I right click it and go into sounds, neither as a playback or recording device.

The only two places I've been able to find them is under the bluetooth section of the device manager (NOT in the audio section), and in the devices and printers section of the control panel (Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers). More on that, when I go into the properties of it, they are categorized as a bluetooth headset, just in case that differs from anything else.

Some "fixes" I have already tried:

Obvious things

     Unpairing and pairing again

     Checking for driver updates

     Reinstalling audio and bluetooth drivers to the most latest version

     Running both audio and bluetooth troubleshoots

     Checking the manufacture's website to see if they are compatible with windows (they are)

Less common

     Disabling each individual service in the properties of the device and trying them separately, such as Handsfree Telephony

PLEASE HELP

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Answer 1

Hi Eddie Buffum

Welcome to the Microsoft Community

Understanding your problem, the user's Sony WF-C510 Bluetooth headset can be connected to the computer, but does not show up as an audio device

To set as default playback device

Go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound.
In the Playback tab, right-click on the blank area and make sure Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices are checked.
Find your Bluetooth headset. If you find them, right-click and select Set as default device.

Install or update the drivers for your headset

In Device Manager, locate and right-click the device, then select Update Driver.
Select Automatically search for updated drivers to let Windows help you automatically search for and install the most suitable drivers.

Ensure the correct Bluetooth profile (A2DP)

Confirm that the headset is using the A2DP profile:

Locate your Bluetooth headset in Device Manager, right-click and select Properties.
Go to the Services tab and make sure audio sink, handsfree telephony, etc. are enabled.

Reset the Bluetooth adapter

This can sometimes be caused by problems with the Bluetooth adapter itself and can be resolved by trying the following steps:

In Device Manager, locate your Bluetooth adapter, right-click and select Uninstall Device.
Disconnect the Bluetooth adapter (if standalone) and reconnect it, or restart your computer to allow the operating system to automatically recognize and install the adapter driver. If it does not install automatically, please go to the corresponding manufacturer's support page to download it manually.

Try a different USB port (if using an external Bluetooth adapter)

If you are using an external Bluetooth adapter, try plugging it into a different USB port, especially the rear USB ports, which are usually more stable.

Make sure the operating system is up-to-date

Sometimes there are bugs in the operating system that can affect the normal use of Bluetooth devices. Make sure your Windows system is updated to the latest version:

Open Settings (Win+I) -> Update and Security -> Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install all available updates.

Bluetooth headset reset

If the above steps do not work, try to reset your Bluetooth headset:

Refer to the Sony WF-C510 user manual or the manufacturer's support website and follow the instructions to reset the headset.

Contact me if you need anything else.

Best wishes

Merek.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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How do I make my bluetooth headphones connect to my computer AS AN AUDIO DEVICE, even though they are detected?

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