Even with optimizations and protocol updates, the truth is that Bluetooth compatibility in Windows 10 still leaves a lot to be desired. In addition to struggling with very poor drivers for the legion of USB dongles available, users are likely to discover a notable loss of quality in audio playback. If you find yourself in that situation, today we're going to share a trick that could help you.
It was a fiery week. Signal interruptions, drivers of mysterious origin, endless threads in Microsoft support forums, the nonsense of fanboys who repeat like parrots... while my experience with Bluetooth audio in Windows 10 reached a tolerable position, I admit that the whole process is unacceptable. Very different is the story on iOS and Android: Headphones -> Discover -> Enable Bluetooth -> Pair -> Done. If you have luck with the hardware, it's possible to reproduce that chain to a certain extent in Windows 10, and that brings me to the first recommendation: Try to avoid generic USB dongles. Most of them are Bluetooth 2.0 or 2.1, and the drivers integrated in Windows 10 have questionable quality. Look for an adapter 4.0 as a minimum, for example, the Asus BT400 that costs 15 euros. However, there's more.
Can We Improve Bluetooth Audio in Windows 10?
Many users report a significant loss of quality in the audio they receive, almost as if it were a telephone communication. Sources talk about a bandwidth deficit (at least as Sennheiser explains) lack of support for the AptX codec in headsets, profile changes in the Bluetooth connection (dropping from A2DP to HSP or HFP), and more. In my case, changing the 2.1 dongle to a 4.0 one from another manufacturer helped a lot, but the only effective and definitive measure was to disable the microphone on the headset. To achieve this, first you have to go to the classic (and superior) Control Panel, enter "Devices and Printers", double-click the Bluetooth headset, go to the "Services" tab, and uncheck the "Hands-Free Telephony" checkbox.
If you've reached this point desperate to know how to improve Bluetooth audio in Windows 10, start with what I just indicated above. Personally, I still hope that finally Redmond stops including irrelevant functions in its operating system and dedicates itself to working 100 percent on bugs, compatibility, and performance. The presence of Bluetooth is expanding, and there are many players determined to end the tyranny of cables. We need better Bluetooth in Windows 10.
