my audio quality drops when i use my external non bluetooth microphone and it wont stop

Mango Diaz 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T03:11:30.95+00:00

my Bluetooth headphones audio degrades when i use my external non bluetooth microphone and i dont know why yes the external non bluetooth microphone is in use but the audio degrades still turning off hands free telephony just makes it so the microphone wont be used this started a week ago randomly no i dident change any settings to cause this i have no idea what couldve caused this

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-05T03:11:38.5633333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    When using an external non-Bluetooth microphone, audio quality issues can arise due to several factors. Here are some potential reasons and solutions:

    1. Microphone and Audio Device Conflict: If both your Bluetooth headphones and the external microphone are being used simultaneously, there might be a conflict that degrades audio quality. Ensure that only one audio input/output device is active at a time.
    2. Exclusive Mode Settings: Sometimes, enabling exclusive mode for audio devices can lead to issues. You can try switching off the Exclusive mode for your Bluetooth headphones. To do this, go to Settings > System > Sound, select Advanced > More sound settings, find your Bluetooth headphones, and uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
    3. Driver Issues: Ensure that the drivers for both your microphone and Bluetooth headphones are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause performance issues.
    4. Audio Processing: The audio processing settings in your operating system or applications might be affecting the quality. Check if there are any enhancements enabled that could be impacting the sound quality negatively.
    5. Hardware Problems: There could be a problem with the microphone itself or the connection. Try using a different microphone or cable to see if the issue persists.

    If the problem continues after trying these solutions, consider checking for any recent updates or changes to your system that might have affected audio performance.

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  2. Kimberly Olaño 19,145 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-05T05:35:47.56+00:00

    Thanks for sharing the details, Mango! Try to change Windows Communications setting.

    Windows might be automatically putting your system in “communications mode” which forces HFP.

    1. Open Control Panel → Sound
    2. Go to the Communications tab
    3. Select:
      Do nothing
    4. Click Apply

    This prevents any app from forcing your audio into telephone mode.

    See if this helps. If you need further assistance just let me know.

    Best regards,

    Kimberly

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