Windows 10: How do I set a connected bluetooth device as the output device?

I feel like I've tried just about everything when it comes to this. No matter what troubleshooter I run, driver I update, or anything I do to fix it, the problem won't go away. My Bluetooth connects, and shows so, but I can't set it as an audio output. Meaning that is just won't put any audio out, even though my headphones are connected. It shows it is connected on everything, but when you go to the audio outputs, it just isn't even an option. Please help me out, I really need to be able to listen to things through my headphones, not just through the laptop speakers.

:)

 

Bluetooth Headphones Connect but no headphones output Device

Hello, MazR

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

It looks like you're experiencing an issue where your Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones connect to your Asus Notebook via Bluetooth but the headphones do not appear as an output device in the sound settings. Since you mentioned that the headphones work fine on other devices and have worked on this laptop before, it seems the issue is with the laptop settings or drivers.



Here are a few steps you could try to resolve the issue:

1. First open Windows Settings - go to the Bluetooth devices tab - delete the pairing information for Sony WH-1000XM4 - then turn off your Windows Bluetooth functionality.
   
2. Check for other connected Bluetooth devices around you, such as mobile phones or other mobile devices with Bluetooth functionality. Go into these settings to turn off Bluetooth, which should allow your Bluetooth headset's communication channel to come out to Windows.
   
3. Based on previous experience, if a Bluetooth headset is connected to more than two devices, the communication channel will be occupied, but this depends on the communication channel reserved for the headset by the hardware manufacturer.
   
4. Go back to the Windows side, restart the device, and turn on the Bluetooth function. Follow the steps for headphone pairing in Sony's manual to start pairing. After successful pairing, check whether it can be selected as the output device normally.
   

Feel free to let me know the status.



Chandy |Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Adding an output device

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

1. Have you made any changes on your pc prior to this issue?
2. What is the make and model of the Bluetooth Speaker?
3. Since when are you facing this issue?

I suggest you to follow the methods mentioned below, to fix issues with Bluetooth speaker and check if that helps.

Method 1: Try the following steps, to add and use Bluetooth device on your computer.
Refer the following article for steps to connect Bluetooth device.

Method 2: Set Bluetooth speaker as
Default Playback device. Refer the following article under
set default device and check if that helps.

Method 3: If you are still facing issues with getting audio output from your Bluetooth speaker, you can try the following troubleshooting steps to
fix Bluetooth problems
on your pc.

Reply with the information, so that we can help you fix your issue.

Hope it helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking, Yes or No.

Sandeep Kumar M

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Bluetooth devices connected and working but not in the "Manage Bluetooth Devices" setting.

Hi Paul,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft community.

I understand your concern and will guide you in the right direction.

What is the make and model of the Bluetooth mouse?

Make sure to install the pending Windows update, then restart the system and check.

I suggest you to perform hardware and device troubleshooter and check if Bluetooth mouse device listed under the "Manage Bluetooth Devices" setting.

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter to check and fix issues with Hardware and Devices. I would suggest you to run this troubleshooter to check if the issue is with your Devices.

Refer these steps:

a. Press
Windows key +X, select Control panel.

b. Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons.

c. Click on troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel.

d. Run the Hardware and Devices.

Reference: Connect to Bluetooth devices

Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows - Microsoft Support

If issue still persist try to uninstall and reinstall Bluetooth mouse again and check.

Please reply here with the results so that we can assist you further.