How To Fix Bluetooth Audio Delay on Windows PC

Bluetooth audio has become integral to our daily lives, allowing us to enjoy music and podcasts wirelessly. However, many Windows PC users experience frustrating audio delays when using Bluetooth devices.

Fortect will guide you through various solutions to minimize or eliminate Bluetooth audio lag, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable listening experience.

Before Fixing Bluetooth Audio Delay, Consider These Things First

Before getting into solutions, ensure you’ve checked these basics:

• Device compatibility with your Windows PC
• Bluetooth is turned on and functioning
• Your Bluetooth device is paired correctly
• Battery levels of your Bluetooth device are sufficient
• No physical obstructions between your PC and the Bluetooth device
• Your Windows and Bluetooth device firmware is up-to-date

9 Fixes: Bluetooth Audio Delay on Windows PC

Let’s check these several methods to address Bluetooth audio delay:

Ensure You’re Not Too Far Away

Bluetooth technology has distance limitations that can affect audio quality and timing. Moving too far from your PC can cause delays and dropouts.

Steps to fix:

1. Move closer to your Windows PC
2. Remove any large objects between your device and the PC
3. Test the audio delay at various distances to find the optimal range

Reconnect the Bluetooth Audio Device to your Computer

Re-establishing the connection can resolve audio delay issues. This process can clear temporary glitches in the Bluetooth connection.

Steps to fix:

1. Open Windows Settings and navigate to Bluetooth & devices
2. Find your Bluetooth audio device and click “Remove device.”
3. Restart your PC and the Bluetooth device
4. Re-pair the device with your Windows PC

Use the Windows Audio Playback Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter to identify and fix common audio problems, including Bluetooth-related issues. This tool can automatically detect and resolve various audio configuration problems.

Steps to fix:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Troubleshoot sound problems.”
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter
3. Apply any recommended fixes

Update your Bluetooth Driver

Outdated or corrupted Bluetooth drivers can cause audio delay. Keeping your drivers up-to-date ensures optimal performance and compatibility with your devices.

Steps to fix:

1. Open Device Manager
2. Expand the “Bluetooth” category
3. Right-click on your Bluetooth adapter and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
5. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, check the PC manufacturer’s website for updates

I recommend investing in a third-party PC solution with a driver updater like Fortect.

Fortect Premium with driver updater helps keep your computer running smoothly by checking and updating drivers. It finds old or broken drivers and fixes them automatically. This can help your Bluetooth work better without audio delay.

You can start with the free driver updater version of Fortect to see how it works. With the free version, you’ll need to update drivers manually. The premium version, however, does everything automatically, checking and updating all your drivers without you having to do anything.

Download and install Fortect now.

Restart the Windows Audio Service

The Windows audio service manages all sound-related functions on your PC. Restarting this service can often resolve audio delay issues by clearing any temporary glitches or conflicts.

Steps to fix:

1. Press Windows key + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter
2. Scroll to find the “Windows Audio” service
3. Right-click and select “Restart”
4. Repeat for the “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder” service

Disable Audio Enhancements

While audio enhancements can improve sound quality, they may also introduce latency. Disabling audio enhancement features can reduce audio delay for Bluetooth devices.

Steps to fix:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select “Open Sound settings.”
2. Click “Device properties” under the output section
3. Click on the “Additional device properties” link
4. Go to the “Enhancements” tab
5. Check the box next to “Disable all sound effects.”
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”

Remove Other Device Interference

Other electronic devices, especially those using the 2.4GHz frequency, can interfere with Bluetooth signals and cause audio delay. Identifying and removing these sources of interference can improve Bluetooth performance.

Steps to fix:

1. Move away from or turn off other wireless devices (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, microwaves)
2. Switch your Wi-Fi to the 5GHz band if possible
3. Remove any metal objects near your PC or Bluetooth device

Check For Hardware Issues

Sometimes, hardware problems with your PC’s Bluetooth adapter or the audio device can cause delays. Checking for hardware issues can help identify the root cause of the problem.

Steps to fix:

1. Try your Bluetooth audio device with another PC or smartphone to isolate the issue
2. If possible, test a different Bluetooth audio device with your PC
3. Consider using a USB Bluetooth adapter if your PC’s built-in adapter is faulty

Check the File and Format Compatibility

Specific audio file formats or high-quality audio streams may cause delays if your Bluetooth device or PC cannot efficiently process them. Ensuring compatibility can help reduce latency.

Steps to fix:

1. Try playing different audio file formats (e.g., MP3, WAV, FLAC) to see if the delay persists
2. Adjust the audio quality settings in your media player or streaming service
3. Check if your Bluetooth device supports the audio codec being used

Conclusion

Bluetooth audio delay can be frustrating, but with these solutions, you should be able to minimize or eliminate the problem. Start with the most straightforward fixes, like ensuring you’re within range and reconnecting your device, before moving on to more complex solutions. 

If you continue to experience significant audio delay after trying these methods, consider consulting with a tech support professional or the manufacturer of your Bluetooth device for further assistance.