Bluetooth headphones connect but aren't recognized as an audio device

I have an ASUS bt400 connector for my PC (the model is listed everywhere I checked as simply Gxxx from the manufacturer MEI), and originally had absolutely no troubles in connecting my headphones (this exact pair of MPOW headphones) to the computer and using them. Mind you, I would have to reconnect them every time I wanted to use them (since I also have wired headphones as well, sometimes I use the Bluetooth for convenience sake), and that was a little bit of a hassle on its own, however, I figured it out pretty quickly every time.

I completely reset my computer recently to wipe it of all the useless things I had on it (since I can get Steam, FLStudio, Photoshop, etc back quite easily) that were packing up my OneDrive. Today I tried connecting my bluetooth headphones to the computer for the first time since the reset. I've completely uninstalled the driver and had it reinstalled, I've plugged the USB into multiple different ports (even though I hadn't moved it since where it was when it was working), and restarted my computer many times.

When I connect the headphones to the computer, they register as paired, and even connected right away before going back to saying Paired after a moment. The headphones also tell me "Phone 1 Connected" or "Phone 2 Connected" when a device connects (it does it with my phone and used to do it with my computer with no troubles), however, they do not do that when I pair them with my computer now. They stop blinking red and blue and go to the intermittent blue flashing showing they're connected to a device, but don't tell me it's connected. They are then listed on the bluetoooth devices as a phone or other device and not as an audio device, and the headphones do not appear in the audio devices (the audio devices manager, or any other place). I've run Troubleshooter (which can't help in the audio department since it doesn't recognize the headphones as an audio device) multiple times and nothing has come up.

TL;DR: My bluetooth headphones used to connect to my computer, then I reset the computer, and now it won't recognize the headphones as an audio device, therefore I can't use them.

Is there a possible solution to this? Thank you :)

Hi KK. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP specializing in installation, performance, troubleshooting and activation, here to help you.

Try these fixes for bluetooth headset not recognized as audio device:

https://windowsreport.com/bluetooth-headset-doesn-t-connect-windows-8-1-windows-10/ (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

https://windows101tricks.com/bluetooth-headset-not-showing-windows-10/

https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/bluetooth-headset-driver-not-showing/

https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/fix-bluetooth-headset-mic-not-recognized/

I'll give you all other fixes which work best for headset problems which we see a lot of here:

Next try the steps here:

https://www.nextpit.com/how-to-solve-common-bluetooth-headphone-errors

https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-headphones-not-working-windows10/

https://www.windowscentral.com/setting-your-headset-windows-10

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-headphones-not-working-windows-10-4587304

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/headphones-not-working-or-detected-in-windows-10 (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

https://audiomav.com/why-do-my-bluetooth-headphones-keep-cutting-in-and-out/

https://audiomav.com/why-do-my-bluetooth-headphones-keep-cutting-in-and-out/

https://merabheja.com/fix-no-speakers-or-headphones-are-plugged-in-problem-in-windows-10-8-7/

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-headphones-not-working-in-windows-10/

Go to Settings > Devices > Autoplay to look for the device and change the default behavior in it's Dropdown Menu. Right click Volume icon in System Tray at right end of task bar, Open Sounds Settings, in dropdown menus at top make sure Headphones are selected and Connected for both Playback and Recording Default Devices. If not again right click Volume icon in System Tray to choose Troubleshoot sound problems.

See all ways (including manufacturer-specific) to re-enable the "Which device did you plug in" popup which can solve headset issues:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unplugged-device-audio-jack/ (avoid ad links)

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/Enable-line-in-mic-in-option-in-hp-laptop/td-p/7161699

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/how-do-you-reenable-that-pop-up-box-on-realtek-hd-audio-manager.986703/

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-get-quot-which-device-did-you-plug-in-quot-window/td-p/5828272

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-device-did-you-just-plug-in-popup-resolved/253d4de1-43b3-45ad-ba80-46c51f8def27

Go to the Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, choose Sound controller device, on Driver tab choose Roll back or Uninstall, restart PC using keyboard to Ctrl Alt Del, on blue screen tab to Power Icon in bottom right, press Enter, arrow down to Restart, press Enter to restart to reinstall the driver. Do the same for the headset device and/or it's microphone.

Update the Sound driver from the PC or Device maker's Support downloads web page. While there also check that the Chipset, BIOS, Display, USB, Network and all other drivers are the most current. Sometimes it helps to unpair or disconnect all other Bluetooth devices from the PC in Bluetooth settings, then try again to connect the headset.

If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-show-windows-updates-windows-10-a.html

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them. System Restore point: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-restore-windows-10

If this was caused by a Version Update then for 10 days you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool. To check over the integrity of your install go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-performance/windows-10-performance-and-install-integrity/75529fd4-fac7-4653-893a-dd8cd4b4db00

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

If you want to report this to Microsoft use the Feedback Hub app in Start Menu where developers are tasked to process consumer feedback. They will not even see it here. This is a tech forums staffed mostly by volunteers trying to help others with your problems. If you want to post back a Share link from your Feedback here others who see this thread can vote it up and add to it.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Maybe I wasn't clear completely, that's on me, apologies.

The headphones connect and are even recognized by Bluetooth. They are recognized as a device and I can view the details of the headphones through the device manager. The problem is, is that the computer (or Bluetooth? I'm not sure, but this didn't arise as a problem until after I reset my computer) isn't recognizing the device as an audio device, therefore I can't check any audio settings through the computer. However, the computer still recognizes the device, so I can manage it's connection in the computer. I just can't use them as headphones, since its not registering as specifically an audio device.

If this is an odd problem or takes a while to solve and there are other problems to address, you have no need to waste any time on this. Just a minor inconvenience I thought was odd. Using my bluetooth headphones isn't necessary (since obviously I have plenty of audio devices), I have wired headphones that work perfectly fine. :)

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No, I want to fix your problem. I thought we'd start with the steps which work most often for Bluetooth Headsets.

Are you able to trigger the "Which device did you plug in" popup using one of the many methods I provided, because this is the surest path to getting them recognized correctly?
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Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Last updated October 17, 2024 Views 66,428 Applies to: