XPS 8940, BT headphones no longer working since update

Not sure if this is the same issue but had something similar this weekend on a client's machine I work on remotely. Although his bluetooth headset showed as default in the sound control settings they weren't. When I highlighted them I was able to click set as default (even though they were listed already as default) I was then able to change other settings and his headphones now work as they did before all the updates.

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@TheWho822 wrote:

XPS-8940,

fully updated and functional until yesterday. Something updated, which I assumed were Bluetooth drivers or something related, and now my Apple Airpods or any headset/headphones will not connect properly. 

Connected voice, music" it just says "Connected voice." Now they only work as a wireless headset.

 

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That usually means they are now using the incorrect Bluetooth Device Profile.

Delete the problem Bluetooth devices completely, reboot, then reconnect and re-pair them.

In this Windows-10 or Windows-11 ? Report back and let us know how that worked.

@TheWho822  Try clicking on Headset that is now default and see if you can then click the "Set Default" button below. That's what happened with the one I had. Went through all the repairing and garbage with no success. Then on a lark I clicked set as default on the headset (even though it showed as default like your image) and it took it and allowed me to start changing defaults again. IDK it was weird.

Sorry about that, I have Windows 10 still for now. Tesla1856, I did that already Sunday, but I did it again just now as well with the same results. I tried both my Airpods and Sony headphones. I figured it was using the incorrect profile or there's something wrong with the A2DP profile, but don't really know what to do. The only things I haven't tried is to do a restore on the pc or upgrade to windows 11. I don't want to do either if I don't have to, but will if it comes down to it if it will solve the issue.

68Cutlass- Thanks for the info but no dice. Part of the issue is that I can't change the default device to the headphones vs the headset in the sound control panel. It shows up as being there, but I cannot select it as the default device.

I should add that prior to doing that I uninstalled the audio driver, removed all ghost entries from device manager, re-installed the driver. The headset showed as default but still allowed me to click "Set as Default" and client reports it is working correctly again.

@68cutlassThanks for the advice and I tried that but it doesn't seem to work for me. The the set as default option is greyed out for the headset, probably because it is already set as default. As you know, I need to be able to set the headphones as the default device. It's almost like the pc doesn't think the headphones are connected, even though it is the same device and I should (and used to until Sunday) be able to go between them, but cannot.

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@TheWho822 wrote:

1. Sorry about that, I have Windows 10 still for now.

2. Tesla1856, I did that already Sunday, but I did it again just now as well with the same results. I tried both my Airpods and Sony headphones.

3. I figured it was using the incorrect profile or there's something wrong with the A2DP profile,

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1. If it came that way, that is fine for now (you still have a couple of years).

2. Hmm. That should have fixed it. Are you sure it's getting completely un-paired and completely-deleted first? I think you delete from "Device and Printers" (but maybe it's Device-Manager) ?

3. Right. Thing is, I've never had a Bluetooth device use the wrong one, so not sure how to fix it. Maybe Google that.

@Tesla1856Yep. I am sure it is getting completely unpaired and deleted. Done it multiple times now. I've found similar issues when i searched google for it, but nothing has worked that I've tried so far. Thanks for the help anyway.

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@TheWho822 wrote:

1. Yep. I am sure it is getting completely unpaired and deleted. Done it multiple times now.

2. I've found similar issues when i searched google for it, but nothing has worked that I've tried so far. Thanks for the help anyway.

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1. Good.

2. check this page. Looks like a good page. At least, they have a nice list of the available BT Profiles.

https://pureinfotech.com/fix-bluetooth-connection-problems-windows-10/

All my newer computers are on Windows-11 now (including my 3 XPS laptops). I'm wonder if it's just better now (as all my BT stuff is working fine here).

https://hothardware.com/news/microsoft-fix-bluetooth-windows-11

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@TheWho822 wrote:

Apple Airpods

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Just an idea, but go ahead and make sure they are completely un-paired, deleted, and forgotten on your iPhone.

So here is two screenshots. One of my device manager and the other is the hardware tab from the properties for the Airpods. I'm not sure if I'm on to something or not, but shouldn't Microsoft Bluetooth A2dp Source be a driver under "Sound, video and game controllers" in device manager and in the Airpods hardware tab? If not, maybe the screenshots will help anyway.

@Tesla1856  Good idea, just tried it but it didn't work. That webpage you linked had some good info, but nothing that helped or that I hadn't tried already. I'm going to reinstall the bluetooth drivers again, maybe the other time didn't go right. Who knows?

I haven't switched to Windows 11 yet because everything was running just fine with Windows 10. Knowing Dell recently, I'm afraid some things won't work like they used to if I upgrade. My XPS came with Windows 10 obviously and was assembled early in the 8940's production. It's more than capable of handling windows 11, but I'm still hesitant. I may end up doing it anyway if this issue can't be resolved. I'm saving it as a last option though.

I have an alienware aurora R11 and have been experiencing the same issue since september as well.  I tried all of these things and nothing has worked.  headsets only connect as voice.   one headset does connect as audio, voice, but only one. a JBL Live Free NC+.  i have another JBL live 300 and that still only connects in voice.  Did you ever get your to work? i'm kind

Hey. I have not been able to make it work. I have given up and have just been using wired headphones. I think maybe a complete system restore or an external bluetooth adapter might work, but haven’t tried either yet.