How to Fix Bluetooth Headphones Sound Delay on Windows 11

Sometimes, the sound from your wireless earbuds lags behind the video or screen recording on your Windows 11 PC. It feels irritating when listening to music, playing games, or watching YouTube videos.

In this guide, we will talk about different ways to fix Bluetooth sound delay and improve the audio quality of your Bluetooth headphones on Windows 11.

We’ll explore common sound delay causes and provide solutions for Bluetooth connectivity problems. These fixes include disabling audio enhancements, updating drivers, fixing Bluetooth pairing issues, and restarting audio services.

Let’s get your audio back in sync and learn how to fix the Bluetooth headphone’s sound delay on Windows 11.

1. Ensure a Smooth Connection and Keep Devices within Range

Almost all of the best laptops come up with a built in Bluetooth and that is used to share files on Windows computer to compatible mobile devices

Bluetooth devices have a limited range, typically around 10 meters (30 feet) for most headphones and speakers. So, you need to be close enough for the signal to reach.

If you’re experiencing Bluetooth audio delay or connection issues on your laptop, bring your Bluetooth headphone closer to your PC will fix the problem. This is an ideal solution for all your Bluetooth accessories. In some cases, moving your PC closer might be easier than moving your device.

2. Fix Bluetooth Pairing Issues

If bringing your Bluetooth closer to your PC did not solve the problem, then try to disconnect and reconnect your headphones or earbuds with your PC. This helps repair any issues along with your device connection.

Here’s how to Bluetooth pairing issues on your Windows 11 PC step by step:

1. Press the Windows key + i to open Settings.
2. Click on Bluetooth & devices in the left menu.
3. Find your headphones in the list on the right.
4. Click the three dots in the top right corner of your headphone’s box.
5. Select Disconnect.

Then, use the “Connect” option to reconnect your headphones to your PC

This will refresh the connection between your headphones and PC, hopefully fixing any audio delay issues.

3. Unpair and Re-Pair Your Bluetooth Headphones By Removing Device

If your headphones still are not working after reconnecting, unpair them on your computer and then pair them again. Otherwise, removing device will forget their information from your computer forever.

Here’s how you can remove a Bluetooth device from your computer.

On your computer, press the Windows key and the letter “i” together to open Settings. Then, find “Bluetooth & Devices” on the left side, and click it. Look for the box with your device’s name on the right, click the three dots in the corner of that box, and choose “Remove Device.”

Now, select the yes option for confirmation (if your PC or laptop asks for in Windows 11).

Since your headphones are not connected to your computer anymore, you can easily fix that! On your PC, go to the “Bluetooth & Devices” page and click “Add a Device” to reconnect your headphones

4. Troubleshoot Audio Playback: Try Another App

Sometimes your headphones might seem slow because the app you are using to play music or videos on your computer (like the music player) is not t working properly. You will feel the sound come out a little later than it should.

To avoid this you should use a different app to play your music or video on your computer. For example, if you normally use the music player that came with your computer, try using VLC Media Player instead. Hopefully, it will fix the audio delay and will improve Bluetooth audio quality in your Windows 11 PC.

5. Use the Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Windows 11 “troubleshooter” can help you fix problems with your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. It repairs any issues that are stopping your headphones from working properly.
Here is a step by step process to initiate Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows.

1. Press the Windows key and the i together on your keyboard. It will open the Settings app.
2. Look for a list on the left side of the Settings app and click on “System”.
3. Once you click on “System”, you’ll see more options on the right. Find “Troubleshoot” and click on that.
4. Now click on “other troubleshooters.”
5. Then, next to “Bluetooth,” click “Run” to launch the troubleshooter.

Now wait a little bit for the troubleshooter to find issues and offer solutions for your Bluetooth problems

6. Turn off Windows Audio Enhancing Feature

Sometimes Windows 11 tries to make your headphones sound better, but it might slow down the sound instead. If you hear delays when listening to music or videos, you can try turning this feature off.

Here’s how you can turn off Windows Audio Enhancements feature:

If you’re having trouble with sound lagging, try turning off “Enhance audio” for your device. You can find this option by going to:

1. Press “Ctrl + Windows key + V” together to open “Sound Output”.
2. Now, click on “More Volume Settings” to open the more sound settings.
3. Scroll down and click on “All sound devices.”
4. Select your device (like headphones).
5. Now, click on “audio Enhancement” and finally choose “Off”.

Now listen again and see if the sound delay is fixed.

7. Restart Windows’ Audio Services Using Registry

If restarting your Windows audio enhancements didn’t fix the sound issue, you can try restarting a specific service that helps manage sound.

Windows 11 uses background programs to keep your sound running smoothly, but sometimes these programs get stuck and cause delays. To fix this, you can restart them quickly.

Here’s how you can restart Windows audio services using registry:

1. Press the Windows key and the letter “R” at the same time to open a small box, then type “services.msc” and press Enter.
2. In the “Services” window, look to the right side and find “Windows Audio” on the list. Right-click on “Windows Audio” and then choose “Restart” to get your sound working again.
   
   

Once that’s done, close the window and try playing your music again to see if it works.

8. Update Your Bluetooth Driver

Outdated Bluetooth drivers on your PC can cause sound delays with your headphones. These drivers are like instructions your computer uses to talk to your headphones.

Newer instructions (drivers) usually fix problems that older ones had. Luckily, fixing this is easy! Just press “Windows key + X” and choose “Device Manager” to update them.

Locate the “Bluetooth” section in the Device Manager and click the arrow to open it. Then, right-click on the name of your Bluetooth adapter and choose “Update Driver.” This will tell your computer to look for any newer versions of the driver software.

Finally, select “Search Automatically for Drivers.”

Now, the Windows 11 will search the latest audio driver from its driver library and install the newest one for you.

9. Replace your Bluetooth adapter and/or headphones.

Are you still experiencing sound delays even after trying all the solutions? The problem might be with your Bluetooth itself. Older Bluetooth versions can have faults that cause sound lag. Try a different pair of headphones, and if they are still not working, then the issue likely lies with your computer’s Bluetooth adapter.

Then you can use a tiny Bluetooth dongle device. These inexpensive adapters plug into your PC and are very easy to set up.

On the other hand, if the problem is with the headphones themselves, you might consider upgrading to a newer pair of wireless headphones or earbuds. There are many excellent choices on the market, even if you’re on a tight budget.

Conclusion

If you have tried all of our troubleshooting tips and your Bluetooth audio is still lagging, it might be time to consider replacing your Bluetooth adapter or headphones. You can use Bluetooth dongles and connect your headphones. Upgrading your headphones can also make a big difference in sound quality and connection stability. With a little effort, you can get your Bluetooth audio working perfectly on Windows 11.

FAQs: How to Fix Bluetooth Headphones Sound Delay on Windows 11