How to fix Bluetooth sound delay in Windows

One of the main reasons why people prefer to purchase wired headphones instead of the Bluetooth headphones, it is because they may suffer from sound delays. Normally, this is generated by interference, distance between the equipment, version used, among others. However, this inconvenience can be easily solved with a small adjustment in the configuration.

If you have this problem, and you want to learn How to fix Bluetooth sound delay in Windows, this guide will interest you. Keep reading!

Reasons why Bluetooth audio may be delayed 

There are many reasons why you may experience sound delay in your Bluetooth headphones. However, below we will mention the most notable ones:

1. Bluetooth Codec

The Bluetooth codec is a algorithm responsible for compressing, encoding, and decoding digital audio dataDuring the compression stage, the data file is reduced in size so that it does not consume bandwidth, then it is encoded into a set transmission format. Finally, the compressed data is encoded into an audio signal that you can hear.

Now, There are several Bluetooth sound codecs available and each has its own formula for compressing and transmitting data. In addition, some of these codecs are of high quality when it comes to transmitting music via Bluetooth. However, it is essential to keep in mind that The codec of your headphones must match your audio sourceOtherwise, the audio quality will become lower and you will experience sound delays.

2. Bluetooth version

As with the audio codec, not all existing versions of Bluetooth are created equal. Currently, There are technological improvements that have been implemented to these headphones. But, the latest Bluetooth 5.0 can process sound data faster than older versions, leading to short latency times and better audio quality.

However, owning headphones with the latest version from Bluetooth will not guarantee that you will enjoy smooth playbackIt is important that the version of your headphones and the audio source match, since if this does not happen the functions and quality will be lower.

3. Interference

Interference is any signal of Unwanted frequency that interrupts or damages the clean signal given between the source and the headphonesIn this sense, Wi-Fi connection, television, wireless mouse, and any other device that emits radio frequency can negatively affect the signal flow to the Bluetooth headphones.

4. Distance between source and receiver

There is a certain maximum distance you can move away from the audio source before you start to lose connection and experience sound loss. It is worth noting that while most Bluetooth headphones can handle up to 10 meters on average, the walls or other physical blockage may prevent you from having full rangeIf this is your problem, you just need to move the headphones closer to the sound source and see if there is a new change in the situation.

How to fix bluetooth audio delay issue?

If you use a computer with Windows operating systemThere are several ways that will allow you to optimize the Bluetooth connection of your headphones to reduce latency.

Method 1: Reconnect your Bluetooth device

Even if you don't believe it, the most effective solution is restart your headphones or Bluetooth speakers. Then, try connecting them to your PC and wait a few moments. If you're lucky, the slow connection will be restored and the sound synchronization will be optimized, since restarting the headphones deletes the devices that are paired.

Method 2: Using the Windows Sound Playback Troubleshooter

The Windows operating system has a built-in troubleshooting feature to provide an answer to the problems that a user experiences on their PC. So you can use this feature and try to solve them.fix delayed bluetooth connection, it will be enough for you to follow these instructions:

  1. Press with the right button of your mouse the speaker icon that appears at the bottom of the taskbar. Press “Troubleshooting sound issues”.
  1. You will be shown a pop-up window with a list of your audio devices. Select your Bluetooth headphones and press "Following".
  2. Continue the instructions that appear to solve any problem with your device. 

Method 3: Download and install the latest Bluetooth driver

Normally, Windows installs the correct driver to allow the Bluetooth headphones to work when you connect them for the first time. However, it will not update to the latest versions unless you do it manually. Below are the Steps to update Bluetooth headset drivers to its most current version:

  1. On your PC, do right click mouse on the Windows logo and press “Device Manager” from the list.
  2. Press the arrow pointing to the right related to “Bluetooth”.
  3. You will appreciate a list with all equipment via Bluetooth that run on your computer.
  4. Search for the name of Bluetooth headphones and select on it, with the right mouse button.
  5. Choose “Update driver” and continue the steps indicated.

This method also works for Troubleshooting Bluetooth headset issues when these are connected, but there is no sound.

Method 4: Restart the Windows Sound Service

Another alternative is restart your computer's audio service. This task is performed in the background continuously to manage sound playback and output from your computer. To restart it, simply follow these instructions:

  1. Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard, and press “R” at the same time for the dialog box to appear "Execute".
  2. Writes “Services.msc” and press “Enter”.
  3. Scroll down the window that appears and look for “Windows Audio”.
  4. Right click your mouse and choose "Properties".
  5. In the tab "General", press "Automatic" for the process to begin.
  6. Select the tab "Recovery".
  7. In the drop-down list for the first and second fault, press “Restart the service”. Then, press the option “Ok”.
  8. Perform these steps for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
  9. Restart the computer and try connecting your Bluetooth headphones again.

We know that suffering audio delay from your headphones via Bluetooth can be a bit annoying if you are enjoying your favorite series or video. But,You have nothing to worry about! You can put into practice each one of the methods indicated, and thus achieve an immediate reduction in sound delay. What are you waiting for to try it!