Simple Guide: How to Fix Bluetooth Audio Delay on a Windows PC?

Do you want to know how to fix Bluetooth lag? You’ve come to the right place! So, you’re watching a movie on your laptop, but the audio from your Bluetooth speakers just won’t sync with the dialog. 

This can be frustrating, especially when you’re watching a horror film. The ghost jumps out of the shadows, and the screams come a second later. 

You shouldn’t endure this suffering anymore because we will teach you how to fix the Bluetooth audio lag on Windows 10. The steps are easy to follow, and we’ll show them in detail. 

Let’s begin.

Troubleshooting Steps to Take Before Fixing Bluetooth Speaker Delay

Before you learn how to fix Bluetooth headphone’s audio delay, ensure your Bluetooth audio device can support the Bluetooth version on your computer. 

For instance, if your speakers can only handle Bluetooth 2.0, the small bandwidth may not be able to deliver the high bit rate of the audio stream. In this case, you must find a device that supports Bluetooth 4.0.

You should also check if your Bluetooth audio device has enough battery. Make sure that your Bluetooth audio device is close to your computer. Doing so will ensure a stable connection.

Also, reduce the interference by switching off nearby Bluetooth devices. If these initial troubleshooting steps do not fix the Bluetooth audio delay, check the solutions in the next section. 

Related: [FIXED] Bluetooth Connected But No Sound in Windows 10/11

How to Fix Bluetooth Audio Delay on Windows 10?

Below, you’ll find how to fix Bluetooth audio delay. Go through them and find the one that works best for you: 

Solution 1: Reconnect the Bluetooth audio device to your computer

One of the easiest ways to fix Bluetooth latency is to reconnect it. All you need to do is unplug it from your computer, switch it back on, and reconnect it to your PC. 

You can move on to the next solution below if the audio is still lagging.

Related: Bluetooth’s not Working in Windows 10/11: How to Fix?

Solution 2: Use the Windows audio playback troubleshooter

There are many great features in Windows 10, and the built-in troubleshooters are among them. So, if you are experiencing a Bluetooth audio delay, you can run the Windows audio playback troubleshooter.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Go to the lower-right corner of your taskbar, then right-click the Sound icon.
• Choose Troubleshoot Sound Problems from the list.
• If prompted to provide permission to the app, click Yes. Doing this should let you run the Windows audio playback troubleshooter.
• A window will pop out. Click Next.
• Choose your Bluetooth audio device, then click Next.
• Troubleshoot the sound lag issue by following the on-screen instructions.

Check to see if the Bluetooth audio delay has been resolved.

Solution 3: Update your Bluetooth driver

You may be experiencing Bluetooth speaker delay because you have an outdated, missing, or corrupted Bluetooth driver.

One of the best ways to resolve the problem is to update your drivers. There are various ways to do this. 

You can do it through the Device Manager:

• Type Device Manager in the search and click on it. 

• A new window will open. You will see a list of devices. Expand the contents of the Bluetooth category.
• Now, look for your Bluetooth audio device. Right-click it, then select Properties.

• Go to the Driver tab, then click Update Driver.

Your system should automatically find the latest driver version for your Bluetooth audio device.

However, Windows can miss the right update for your PC. So, if you’re still experiencing Bluetooth headphones audio delay, go to the manufacturer’s website. 

You need to find the latest version that is compatible with your system. Make sure you download the right one because if you install the wrong version, you might experience system instability issues.

Consider Auslogics Driver Updater

Manually updating your Bluetooth audio driver can take time and effort. If you want a more convenient and reliable way to do this, consider Auslogics Driver Updater. 

Once you activate this software program, you just need to click a button, and it will automatically recognize what system your computer is running.

Moreover, it will look for the latest manufacturer-recommended drivers for your PC. 

The best part is that it will update and repair all your drivers. So, once the process is complete, you can expect an overall improvement in your computer’s performance.

Related: Auslogics Driver Updater: New Drivers in One Click!

Solution 4: Restart the Windows audio service

One of the reasons you’re experiencing a Bluetooth audio lag is a problem with the Windows audio service. You can try restarting it to resolve the issue. Here’s how to fix audio delay using the Windows audio service: 

• Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This should open the Run dialog box.
• Now, type services.msc. Click OK. If prompted to give permission to the app, click Yes.

• Scroll down until you find Windows Audio. Right-click it, then choose Properties from the options.

• Go to the General tab.
• If the service is not running, click the Start button to enable it.
• After that, click the drop-down list beside the Startup type, then select Automatic from the list.

• Click the Recovery tab.
• Choose Restart the Service from the drop-down list beside First Failure.
• Click OK to save the changes.

• Look for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder in the Services window. Repeat the same steps to this entry.

Restart your computer. Reconnect your Bluetooth audio device to your PC, then check if the Bluetooth latency has been resolved. 

Also Read: How to Replace Drivers for a Bluetooth Adapter in Windows 10?

Solution 5: Remove other device interference

Another way to fix Bluetooth audio delay is to verify that none of the gadgets connected to your computer produce interference. To locate any sources of interference, disconnect each Bluetooth device one at a time. 

You can identify the issue if it is resolved after a particular unplugged device. It may be a hardware issue if this doesn’t fix the Bluetooth latency. 

Related: “Bluetooth Peripheral Device Driver Not Found” [Fixed]

Solution 6: Look at hardware issues

Once you’ve ruled out temporary glitches, check for hardware issues. Disconnect your audio output device from your computer and connect to a different computer or mobile device.

Your hardware is most likely to blame if you suffer Bluetooth audio delay on the other device.

Consider stepping closer to the receiver and checking if the audio responds similarly to rule out range-related issues. If the hardware is the root of the issue, you may need to fix or replace it.

If your speaker or headphones usually function when connected to another device, your operating system might be to blame.

Also Read: Hardware Problems Detected by Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Solution 7: Ensure the media player is not the issue

After ruling out hardware issues, confirm that the audio delay is not caused by the media player you are using to playback audio or video but by the operating system or hardware. 

Even though they are less frequent, media players occasionally cause problems like the one we’re discussing.

Try playing the same file in another media player to eliminate the possibility. If the audio delay appears with different media players, find out whether it consistently affects particular files or formats.

Related: Windows Media Player No Sound [Fixed] 

Solution 8: Check the file and format compatibility

Make sure the issue isn’t limited to a specific audio or video file or set of formats. Play a different music or video file to solve the issue, preferably in a different media player than the one causing it.

If the Bluetooth speaker delay goes away when a different file or format is used, there is probably a compatibility problem. 

You can use another media player or convert these files to a supported format. If the issue persists, it’s essential to look into system-level fixes.

Conclusion

If you want to know how to fix Bluetooth audio delay, check out this guide. Addressing Bluetooth audio latency is frequently a step-by-step process. Before ruling out hardware issues, look for interference from other devices.

Ensure your media player isn’t the reason for the delay and isn’t exclusive to some files or types. Following these simple instructions, you may experience smooth audio on your Windows PC.

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