Windows 10: Bluetooth headphones don't show up as audio device?

I'm using a pair of Bose headphones. The bluetooth connected, I think, so it shows up as paired but in the "other devices" section, and I can't figure out how to route audio output to it.

:)

 

Iogear GBU521 Bluetooth Don. - Not Headphone Compatible on Windows 10?

Windows 10 version 1903


Short story: Our Iogear GBU521 Bluetooth Dongle was used on a different PC running Windows 7 to connect headphones with good-quality sound. Now, on a Dell Inspiron 580 with Windows 10, we can't get the headphones to work with the same quality anymore.

Depth: All Windows drivers are downloadable on this page of Iogear's website: Product Drivers, Firmware & Software - IOGEAR
However, it appears as though the Windows 8/8.1/10 driver is really designed for 8 and 8.1 and not 10. That I conclude because the file name, "GBU521_GBU421_Win8_Win8.1_BT_v12.0.0.9980.zip", does not mention Windows 10, thus suggesting my bluetooth audio problems to be originating from a driver compatibility issue.

I've fiddled my life away with the following:

• WinKey+R / "control panel" / Devices and Printer / (Insert Headphone Name) Properties / Services
• Start / Settings / Devices / Audio
• Start / Settings / System / Sound / Output / Troubleshoot
• Settings within the Iogear bluetooth devices program, which comes with the driver on the aforementioned driver page.

And have gone through many settings that branch off this list, restarting the computer after each change made. Sometimes it connect with good sound quality, but does not retain this quality after breaking the bluetooth connection (turning the headphones off, restarting PC).

Quick side note: I have a new Microsoft Bluetooth 3600 Mouse connected to this dongle that works completely fine, unlike the headphones.

A solution requires the following results, which goes along the lines of how the bluetooth headphones were connected to this same Iogear dongle on the different PC that had Windows 7:

• The bluetooth headphones play with decent quality
• The volume retains it's setting whenever the bluetooth connection is broken by a PC restart, or powering off/on the headphones (I've encountered configurations where the headphones always resets to maximum volume).
• The bluetooth mouse works fine. This shouldn't be much of a concern at all.

If we find no solutions, I will simply buy a dongle that works with Windows 10.

I can provide screenshots if needed.
Thank-you.

 

bluetooth headphones

setting up win10 Bluetooth and my Bluetooth headphones work fine ,but every time I reconnect the headphones I have to delete them from Bluetooth settings and let win10 pickup the headphones again ,before they will pair ,then win10 want to reboot to add the headphones ,I reboot and they work fine ,but next time I plug the headphone in again they will not pair ,don't even get an option to pair till I delete the head phones from the list ,, any suggestions ,, thank

 

Bluetooth headphones 'connected', Audio, Voice not connected

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand how difficult it is, when the device doesn't work in the way it should. For us to isolate the issue and to assist you better, we'd like to ask you a few questions.

1. What is the make and the model number of the computer?

2. What is the make and the model number of the headphone?

3. Are the speakers muted when the headphone is plugged in?

4. Are you aware of any changes made on the computer prior to this issue?

We can try a few steps and check if we can fix this.

Method 1: Remove and connect the Bluetooth headphone and check.

1. Press Windows key + I together to open Settings.

2. Click on Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.

3. Now click on the Bluetooth headphone and click on Remove device.

4. Turn off Bluetooth and the headphone and turn them back on, and Connect.

If the issue persists, try method 2.

Method 2: Enable the Bluetooth headphone.

1. Right click on the Volume icon on the taskbar.

2. Click on Sounds.

3. Navigate to Playback tab.

4. Right click on an empty space and select Show Disabled Devices.

5. Check if the Bluetooth headset is showing in the list.

6. Right click on the Bluetooth headphone and click Enable and check.

If the issue persists, I'd suggest you to refer this article on
Fix sound problems in Windows 10 and try the suggestions showing under the
Run the audio troubleshooter, Fix your audio driver,
Set default device, and Turn off Audio Enhancements section and update us on the result.

We'll be waiting for your response.

Regards,

Naveen M

Microsoft Community - Moderator