Why does it say my Bluetooth is connected but no Sound?

Check Audio Source

The first thing to check if your Bluetooth device is connected but no sound is coming through is to make sure that audio is actually playing on the connected device itself. Check that the volume is turned up on the Bluetooth speaker, headphones, car audio system, etc. and that media is actively playing. Sometimes the device will show as connected even when no audio is present.

Play a song, video or other media on the source and verify you see visual indicators that it is actually outputting audio. For mobile devices like smartphones, be sure the media app is not paused or muted. If using a Bluetooth speaker, try pressing play/pause on the device itself if possible to initiate audio playback.

Additionally, check that the source audio device is not in a muted or standby state. Some Bluetooth transmitters have physical buttons to mute and unmute that could mistakenly get pressed. If audio works on the device itself but not when connected via Bluetooth, the problem lies with the Bluetooth connection and not the media source.

Check Bluetooth Settings

One of the most common reasons why a Bluetooth device may show as connected but no sound comes through is because the Bluetooth settings are not properly enabled and paired on both devices. Double check that Bluetooth is turned on for both your phone/tablet and the Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Bluetooth needs to be enabled and actively connected on both devices for audio transmission to work properly.

Make sure your phone or tablet is also properly paired with your Bluetooth headphones or speaker. Pairing creates a link between the two devices to allow communication. Go into your Bluetooth settings on your phone/tablet and ensure the Bluetooth device is listed as a paired device. You may need to select the option to pair a new device and go through the pairing process if the two devices have not been previously paired.

Additionally, check that both devices show as connected in the Bluetooth settings screen during the time no sound is coming through. If your phone shows the Bluetooth device as paired but not connected, this can indicate an issue maintaining the Bluetooth connection and needs to be investigated further.

Update Bluetooth Drivers

Sometimes Bluetooth connectivity issues arise because the drivers are outdated on one or both devices. To ensure your Bluetooth drivers are up-to-date:

On Windows PC:
– Open Device Manager (right-click Start button and select it).
– Expand the Bluetooth section.
– Right click on your Bluetooth adapter and select Update driver.

– Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
– Follow the prompts and allow Windows to search online and install any available driver updates. [1]

On your Bluetooth speaker/headphones:
– Check the manufacturer’s website for driver or firmware updates.
– Download and install any available updates for your device.

– This ensures your Bluetooth device has the latest software to connect properly.
– If updates are unavailable, you likely have the current drivers.

Once both devices are updated, try re-pairing them and check if the no sound issue is resolved.

Reset Bluetooth Connection

One common solution when Bluetooth says it’s connected but there’s no sound is to reset the Bluetooth connection between your devices. This involves “forgetting” the Bluetooth pairing and setting it up again from scratch.

First, go into your phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings and find the paired device that’s having issues. Tap “Forget” or “Unpair” to remove it from your Bluetooth connections list. Then, go into the Bluetooth settings on the speaker or headphones and forget or unpair that device as well. This clears out any corrupted pairing information.

Now try pairing the devices again. Go back into Bluetooth settings, put both devices into pairing mode, and connect them. You may need to enter a passcode again. Check if the issue is resolved and you can now get sound through the Bluetooth connection.

Resetting Bluetooth connections like this often fixes sound problems if the pairing information had become corrupt. However, if the issue persists, there may be other factors involved. Check for possible solutions like updating drivers, adjusting sound settings, turning off battery optimizations, or trying a different audio source.

As a last resort, you can also reset network settings on your phone or reset the Bluetooth module itself in Windows. But usually forgetting and repairing is sufficient to get Bluetooth connections working properly again.

Check Default Audio Device

One common reason why you may see your Bluetooth connected but not hearing any sound is because Bluetooth is not set as the default audio device in Windows. To check this:

1. Right click the volume icon in the system tray and select “Sounds” or “Sound Settings”.
2. Go to the “Playback” tab.
3. Make sure your Bluetooth headphones show up in the list. If not, try re-pairing your Bluetooth device.
4. Select your Bluetooth headphones and click the “Set Default” button.
5. You may also right click your Bluetooth headphones and select “Set as Default Device”.

This will set your Bluetooth device as the default playback device so that any audio played on your computer will now route through your wireless headphones. Check to see if you can hear audio clearly after doing this. If the issue persists, you may need to check for other potential causes.

Sources:

Can’t select paired bluetooth speaker as sound output …

Bluetooth Headphones Connecting but no Voice or Audio

Disable Audio Enhancements

One potential cause for why Bluetooth audio may not be working properly is having audio enhancements or effects enabled. These features like “Environmental Sound Enhancements” can sometimes cause interference or issues with Bluetooth connectivity.

To disable audio enhancements in Windows 10:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound
2. Select the Playback tab
3. Right click your Bluetooth headphones and select Properties
4. Go to the Enhancements tab
5. Disable all enhancements by checking the “Disable all enhancements” box

In Windows 11:

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound
2. Under Output, select your Bluetooth headphones
3. Select Device Properties
4. Go to the Enhancements tab
5. Disable all enhancements by checking the “Disable all enhancements” box

Disabling audio effects and enhancements can prevent interference with your Bluetooth connection and may resolve issues with no sound. If the problem persists, you can also try updating your drivers or resetting the Bluetooth connection.

Adjust Bluetooth Volume

One common reason for Bluetooth connections having no sound or low volume is that the volume levels are not set properly on either the device or in the operating system settings. Check the following:

• On your device like a phone or tablet, go into the Settings app and locate the Bluetooth section. Make sure media volume or call volume for Bluetooth is set to an audible level, around 50-100%. Low volume here will cause low sound even if other settings are correct.
• Check the volume slider or buttons on the paired Bluetooth device itself. Headphones, speakers etc. often have independent volume controls separate from the device they are connected to. Make sure volume is up on the device.
• Once paired and connected, check the volume levels in the OS like Android or iOS. The system volume may be set low and override the other volume settings. Setting it higher can increase Bluetooth volume.

If adjusting these volume controls does not resolve the issue, there may be an underlying problem with the Bluetooth connection itself. But this is one of the simplest fixes to try first before troubleshooting further.

Disable Battery Optimization

Battery optimization or battery saver features on your phone can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connectivity and cause issues like no sound even when Bluetooth says it’s connected. This occurs because battery optimization restricts background app activity to save power. However, audio apps need to run in the background to transmit audio over Bluetooth.

To resolve this, you may need to disable battery optimization or whitelist Bluetooth and audio apps. On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization and select “All Apps”. Locate Bluetooth and any audio apps and choose “Don’t Optimize” so they can run in the background. You can also turn off battery optimization entirely, but this may reduce battery life. For iPhones, go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode and turn it off.

According to users on Reddit and OnePlus forums, disabling battery optimization resolved Bluetooth connection and no sound issues for them across various devices. Allowing Bluetooth and audio apps to run in the background prevents interference from battery saver features.

Sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HTC10/comments/80nrtu/resolved_my_bluetooth_issues_battery_optimizations/

https://community.oneplus.com/thread/1141818

Check for Interference

Other wireless signals, like those from Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and wireless speakers, can disrupt Bluetooth connections and cause issues like no sound. This is because many devices transmit data in the crowded 2.4 GHz band. The radio waves can collide and degrade the signal.

Try moving Bluetooth devices away from other wireless electronics. If possible, connect devices in different rooms. Also consider switching your Wi-Fi router to 5GHz instead of 2.4GHz since 5GHz has less interference. Adjusting router channels can help too. If the issue persists, check for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth firmware updates from the device manufacturer that may improve connectivity.

Try a Bluetooth Transmitter

If you are experiencing issues with the built-in Bluetooth connection on your device, an external Bluetooth transmitter can be a workaround. A transmitter acts as a middleman to send the audio signal from your device to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Bluetooth transmitters plug into the audio output jack of your device via an AUX cable or optical cable, then pair and connect to your Bluetooth audio device. This bypasses any software issues with your device’s Bluetooth and sets up a dedicated wireless connection through the external transmitter.

High quality Bluetooth transmitters from companies like Avantree and 1Mii can transmit audio reliably up to 100 feet away. They support advanced audio codecs like aptX for better sound quality.

The downside is you will need the transmitter plugged in or nearby to use your wireless audio devices. But for frequent travelers or those whose built-in Bluetooth is problematic, a transmitter provides a simple workaround. Just pair it once with your headphones or speakers, then connect whenever needed.