Devices Enable or Disable Bluetooth LE Audio in Windows 11


Bluetooth_banner.webp

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off using Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) when available instead of Classic Audio for Bluetooth devices that support both for all users in Windows 11.

Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) is a new technology that allows audio streaming over Bluetooth Low Energy. Unlike Classic Audio, which uses Classic Bluetooth profiles such as A2DP or HFP, LE Audio uses modern Bluetooth profiles such as the Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP).

Bluetooth LE Audio provides numerous benefits over Bluetooth Classic Audio, including increased battery life and voice call quality. It also supports new capabilities that don't exist with Classic Audio, such as support for LE Audio hearing aids.

Bluetooth LE Audio support requirements:

To use LE Audio, it needs to be supported on both the Windows device and the headset or earbuds.

To determine if a headset or earbuds support LE Audio, review the manufacturer's specifications to look for Bluetooth LE Audio and/or declared support of the TMAP profile. For additional information, contact the device's manufacturer.

Not all Windows 11 devices support LE Audio, even if the Windows device is marketed as supporting Bluetooth LE. To use LE Audio, the Windows device must:
  • Be running Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer.
  • Have Bluetooth turned on.
  • Have compatible Bluetooth LE support and a compatible audio codec.
  • Have LE Audio capable drivers from the manufacturer for both the Bluetooth LE radio and the audio codec.
References:


Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Bluetooth LE Audio in Settings
  • Option Two: Turn On or Off Bluetooth LE Audio using REG file




Option One

Turn On or Off Bluetooth LE Audio in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Devices on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Bluetooth_LE_audio-1.webp

3 Turn On (default) or Off Use LE Audio when available for what you want. (see screenshot below)

The Use LE Audio when available setting will only be available if supported and while Bluetooth is turned on.


Bluetooth_LE_audio-2.webp

4 Restart the computer to apply. (see screenshot below)

Bluetooth_LE_audio-3.webp




Option Two

Turn On or Off Bluetooth LE Audio using REG file


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.

2 Turn On Bluetooth LE Audio

This is the default setting.

This requires having Bluetooth turned on.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_ON_use_LE_audio_when_available.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthAvctpSvc\Parameters\Bats]
"UserPrefersClassicAudio"=dword:00000000

3 Turn Off Bluetooth LE Audio

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Turn_OFF_use_LE_audio_when_available.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthAvctpSvc\Parameters\Bats]
"UserPrefersClassicAudio"=dword:00000001

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
Windows does not allow the user to select the codec themselves.
This is absolutely outrageous.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
Windows does not allow the user to select the codec themselves.
This is absolutely outrageous.
I doubt that @Brink would have suggested we do anything dangerous at least not without a warning.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN 11 Pro 24H2 - 26100.2894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel XEON E5-2699 v3
    Motherboard
    ASUS X99-A
    Memory
    48G Teamgroup UD4-3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER X34 Predator
    Screen Resolution
    3440 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Crucial CT1000P 3P SSD8 1TB
    PSU
    GameMax Pro
    Case
    Fractal Design
    Cooling
    Corsair H110iGT + 6 140mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Corsair K4
    Mouse
    G-Skill G502
    Internet Speed
    50MBs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    OEM
I am so disappointed with the implementation of BT LE audio for hearing aids.

My hearing aids are BT LE audio compatible and connect to many android mobile phones via the ASHA protocol (virtually all Samsungs even in budget A series).

However PCs are a different kettle of fish. It only works allegedly for a small range of (expensive) pcs, and even then not clear what hearing aids are compatible as it does not seem it uses the ASHA protocol (why would MS not use ASHA!).

So to connect my hearing aids to bluetooth on pc, I have to use an expense intermediate streamer which connects to pc using conventional bluetooth and streams to hearing aids via BT Le audio.

This is ok but the streamers are expensive, and power only last for a couple or so of hours before recharging is needed if streaming continuously (music, videos etc).

I have found a neat free software solution (audiorelay) which streams sound from pc to my android mobile phone via wifi, and phone connects to hearing aids via LE bluetooth.

As I am only streaming sound, and it uses mobile phone battery, you can stream for many hours. App on mobile runs in background, so you can still use other apps, phone etc.

I watch videos on my laptop full size but listen via mobile with low latency i.e. there is minimal delay between audio and video.

Use of AudioRelay is limited to pcs though unlike a proper streamer which can stream to any (conventional) bluetooth audio device e.g. TVs.

As far as I know, Audiorelay would work using LE earbuds as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)

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