Start With the Bluetooth Driver
Bluetooth audio can stutter, crackle, skip, or cut out even when your headphones, earbuds, or speaker work normally with another device. On a Windows 11 PC, the problem can come from an outdated Bluetooth driver, audio enhancements, or a device service setting.
Work through the fixes below in order. Test your Bluetooth audio after each one. That way, you can stop as soon as the choppy sound is gone.
Video Tutorial
Update the Bluetooth Device Driver
Start by checking for a driver update for the Bluetooth device that is having trouble. Windows can search for an available update and install it for you.
- Right-click the Windows Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand the Bluetooth category.
- Find the Bluetooth device that is stuttering.
- Right-click that device and select Update driver.
- Select the option to search automatically for drivers.
- Wait while Windows searches. If an update is available, let Windows install it.
When the process finishes, play music, a video, or another audio source through the Bluetooth device. If the sound is smooth now, you are done. If it still skips or cuts out, continue to the audio enhancement setting.
Disable Audio Enhancements for the Problem Device
Windows audio enhancements can add processing such as bass boosts and other effects. These effects can sometimes cause Bluetooth audio to stutter. Disable them for the device with the issue.
- Right-click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices in the left menu.
- Select Devices.
- Scroll down to the Sound section and select Sound.
- Scroll near the bottom to Advanced, then select More sound settings.
- Find the audio device that has the stuttering issue.
- Right-click it and select Properties.
- Open the Enhancements tab.
- Enable Disable all enhancements.
- Select Apply, then select OK.
Test the device again after closing the Properties window. This turns off the extra sound processing that may be interfering with your Bluetooth audio.
Adjust the Bluetooth Device Service
If the audio is still choppy, check the device service setting in the old Devices and Printers area. Use the same Bluetooth device that is producing the bad audio.
- Return to Settings and select Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Devices.
- Scroll to the bottom and select More devices and printer settings.
- Find the Bluetooth device with the audio problem.
- Right-click the device and select Properties.
- Select the Services tab.
- Select Remotely Controlled Device.
- Select Apply, then select OK.
Play audio through your headphones, earbuds, or speaker one more time. These three changes address the Windows 11 settings shown for Bluetooth audio stuttering: the device driver, audio enhancements, and the device service.
Test After Each Change
Use the same song, video, call, or game audio each time you test. Listen long enough to confirm that the problem is actually fixed, especially if the stuttering only happens after audio has played for a few minutes.
If one step fixes the issue, leave the other settings alone. Changing one setting at a time makes it easier to know what stopped the skipping, crackling, or sound cutting out.
More Windows 11 Tips & Tutorials:
Subscribe Now! 🙂
Discover more from Gauging Gadgets
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
