How to Fix Windows 11 Recognizing Bluetooth Device (Headset/Speaker) Only as Hands-Free?

Anonymous
2024-12-22T09:59:31+00:00

Hi everyone,

I’m facing an issue with my Bluetooth device on Windows 11. When the device connects, Windows only recognizes it as "Hands-Free" (with low audio quality) instead of "Headphones" (with HD audio quality).

I want the Bluetooth device to connect as headphones to ensure better audio quality, similar to how Windows gives you a choice when plugging in wired earphones, such as "Headphones", "Headset", or "Mic In".

So far, I’ve been using the following workaround:

"Go to Bluetooth settings in Device Manager and disable the AVRCP driver for your headphones. This will force the audio out to the Headset (the one with a microphone). You will not have a selection for default audio out in Windows 11 Settings, but if you click the arrow next to the volume control on your taskbar, you can select the headset HD. and other solution on This link"

This workaround works to detect the headphones, but the sound disappears. To restore the sound, I have to re-enable the AVRCP driver and repeat the steps, which makes it inefficient and frustrating.

I’m looking for a more efficient or permanent solution to this issue, whether through additional software or another method.

Does anyone have a better approach or tool that could make this process easier?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-28T07:27:08+00:00

    Dear Zero Crown

    Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

    Most Bluetooth headsets support a variety of audio configurations (e.g. A2DP and HFP/HSP).

    As a result, when you turn on the microphone, the headset often switches to HFP/HSP mode, which can result in poor audio quality because both modes require more bandwidth to process voice calls.

    When the Bluetooth headset detects that you are listening to music or watching a video without using the microphone, it automatically switches to HD audio mode.

    Due to Bluetooth transmission bandwidth limitations, a Bluetooth headset alone will not meet all your needs.

    It is recommended that you purchase a separate USB microphone.

    This way, for example, if you want to talk during a game, you can use the USB microphone directly and keep Bluetooth in HD sound mode.

    We wish you a happy new year in advance.

    Best Wish

    Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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