What should I check first if I see symptoms of poor Bluetooth sound quality?

First, proceed with the ‘Mute and check the correct output device’ steps. It is common for Windows to send sound to other devices such as HDMI, monitor, or Bluetooth. We recommend that you avoid changing multiple settings at once and check to see if your symptoms change after each step.

How do I check the cause candidate ‘Use hands-free microphone profile’?

If there is no change in the first step, compare in order ‘Check cable, jack, and Bluetooth connection.’ If symptoms disappear immediately after certain actions or the conditions for their occurrence change, this can be an important clue in narrowing down the cause.

Bluetooth headset sound quality suddenly deteriorates: When do I need a professional inspection?

Even if you follow the above solution steps in order, if the symptoms of poor Bluetooth sound quality recur or hardware abnormal signals such as a burning smell, abnormal noise, overheating, or component recognition failure appear together, we recommend backing up important data and having a professional inspection.

PC FIX

Computer Troubleshooting Guide

Bluetooth

Problem with Bluetooth headset sound quality suddenly deteriorating

This guide is designed to categorize items such as using a hands-free microphone profile and Codec/bandwidth restrictions in a safe order in “poor Bluetooth sound quality” situations. Check everything in order, from output device selection and volume mixer to problems with drivers, cables, and the device itself.

Solving Order
We've organized the methods starting with the simplest and least expensive ones. Please check the solutions one by one, starting from the top.

Do you have these symptoms?

Bluetooth sound quality is poor
Headset call quality
The sound is muffled

main causes

Use hands-free microphone profile
Codec/bandwidth limitations
wireless interference

How to solve

Please check them in order from the top. If the issue is resolved, you do not need to proceed to the next step.

Mute and check the correct output device

It is common for Windows to send sound to other devices such as HDMI, monitor, or Bluetooth.

Difficulty Easy time 2-5 minutes cost 0 won

1Check the taskbar speaker icon to see if it is muted.
2Select Physical Speakers/Headphones from the list of output devices.
3Also check the app-specific volume mixer.

confirmation point

After these steps, see if the “poor Bluetooth sound quality” symptom decreases or disappears. If there is no change, also check the availability of the hands-free microphone profile in the next step.

Check cable/jack/Bluetooth connection

First rule out physical connection and device profile issues.

Difficulty Easy time 5 minutes cost 0 won

1For wired devices, plug them back in and test in a different jack.
2USB audio uses a different port.
3Bluetooth disconnects and then pairs again.

Run Windows Audio Troubleshooting

You can automatically check for incorrect default device, service, and driver settings.

Difficulty Easy time 5-10 minutes cost 0 won

1Run Audio Troubleshooting from Help/Get Help.
2Apply the recommended fixes.

Update or reinstall audio drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers may be causing the symptom.

Difficulty Moderate time 10~30 minutes cost 0 won

1Check the device in Device Manager.
2Check your PC or component manufacturer's site for audio drivers for your current model.
3If the problem started immediately after an update, consider rolling back to the previous stable version.
4After installing the driver, restart your PC.

Compare audio enhancements and default formats

Cracking, low volume, or app-specific issues may be due to enhancements or sampling format conflicts.

Difficulty Moderate time 10-15 minutes cost 0 won

1Temporarily turn off audio enhancements in the sound device properties.
2Compare the base type by replacing it with other supported values.
3After making changes, restart the app.

Cross-test with other headphones and speakers

Distinguish between PC output issues and issues with the audio device itself.

Difficulty Easy time 10 minutes cost 0 won

1Connect another known working audio device.
2Even existing headphones are tested on other devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a list of things we frequently check regarding this issue.

Related issues

If the symptoms do not match exactly, please check the issue below.

Bluetooth

Problem with no sound even when Bluetooth earphones are connected

If you are seeing the “Bluetooth connected, no sound” symptom, possible causes include incorrect output device, audio profile, etc. Check everything in order, from output device selection and volume mixer to problems with drivers, cables, and the device itself.

View solutions →

Gaming

Problems with sound cutting out or disappearing during games

If you are experiencing “game sound interruption” symptoms, possible causes include switching audio devices, driver/sampling settings, etc. Check everything in order, from output device selection and volume mixer to problems with drivers, cables, and the device itself.

View solutions →

Bluetooth

Bluetooth device keeps disconnecting

When troubleshooting a Bluetooth device that keeps disconnecting, it's important to rule out causes one at a time. Based on the “Bluetooth keeps disconnecting” symptom, check the power saving and driver settings and proceed to the next step. After resetting the Bluetooth power status and pairing information, check for problems with the driver, interference, or the device itself.

View solutions →

Audio

No sound at all from speakers or headphones

If “no sound” repeats, it is better to narrow down the problem to the wrong output device, mute, or volume rather than changing several settings at once. Check everything in order, from output device selection and volume mixer to problems with drivers, cables, and the device itself.

View solutions →

Look for other symptoms too

If you enter the symptoms you are currently seeing in the PC FIX search box, we will find the related problem.

Search for other issues →