Important: These instructions are only for Android phones, not iPhones. As well, this guide is based on Android Version 9, however, it should work on other Android versions as well.
// BEFORE YOU START //
When it comes to changing the Developer options, ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and that the problematic Bluetooth device is connected to your phone, or the Developer options will not save or will not stick when you exit Developer options.
1st Step – Try To Replicate The Issue On Another Device
The first thing to determine is whether your phone is causing issues, or if the Bluetooth device (Bluetooth headphones, earphones, headset) you are using is the issue.
The only way to do this is to pair the Bluetooth device with another phone (old phone or a friend or family member’s phone). If you do not have another phone, you can use a tablet or computer if they support Bluetooth. Btw, you can also pair to an iPhone to test the Bluetooth device.
If you were able to pair the Bluetooth device on another phone and you experience the same issue as on your phone, then you know that the issue is probably due to the Bluetooth earphone, headphone or headset. You should contact the manufacturer of the device for support at this point. Sometimes, there may be a firmware update that the manufacturer can supply to resolve some issues.
However, if you did not experience the same sound stuttering issues on the other test phone, then you know that the issue is due to your phone or a setting on your phone. If this is your case, try to duplicate the audio and Bluetooth settings on the phone without an issue to the phone with issue. You may have to unlock Developer Options on both phones to properly check all settings. Follow the steps below, which goes into how to unlock Developer Options.
2nd Step – Try To Unpair The Bluetooth Device & Reconnect
So, if you were able to use the Bluetooth device on another phone without any issue, the next thing we can try is to unpair the Bluetooth device, then reconnect it again to the phone. The goal here is to clear any potential connection issues or settings by unpairing and connecting again. This is a quick procedure since your phone will still remember your device.
Here are the steps to do this:
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the Connected devices section (Bluetooth, NFC)
- Tap the gear icon near the currently corrected Bluetooth device
- On the next screen, tap on the DISCONNECT button
3rd Step – Completely FORGET The Bluetooth Device & Reconnect
If unpairing and reconnecting did not work, the next step is to completely forget the Bluetooth device from your phone, then pair it back like it is the first time it is meeting your phone. This step is different from unpairing, which still remembers the device. When you forget (delete) the Bluetooth device from your phone, you will have to go through the pairing process again like you are introducing it to your phone for the first time.
The steps to do this are similar to disconnecting your device, except in this case, you will press the “FORGET” button.
After you have forgotten the Bluetooth device, restart your phone, then go through the pairing process again as outlined in the instruction manual for your Bluetooth device, and see if that has solved your Bluetooth audio issues.
4th Step – Adjust Bluetooth Options In Developer Options
Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and that the problematic Bluetooth device is connected to your phone, or the Developer options will not save or will not stick when you exit Developer options.
This step is a bit more advanced, as it requires that you unlock Developer Options in the Android system settings. Be careful not to change any other settings, except those outlined here, as it may cause system instability. Here we go.
First, Unlock Developer Options
Here are the steps to do this:
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the System heading
- On the System screen, tap on the About Phone heading
- On the next screen, scroll down until you see the Build Number heading
- Tap the Build Number heading a few times, until you see the message “You are now 4 steps away from…”
- Keep tapping until you see “You are now a developer!” Congrats, Developer Options is unlocked
Next, Change Bluetooth Playback Quality In Developer Options
The next step is to change the Bluetooth playback settings to “Best EffortAdaptive Bit Rate”. Follow the steps below to do this:
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the System heading
- On the System screen, scroll down until you see { } Developer Options
- On some phones, it may be housed under Advanced Settings or another heading after it is unlocked
- Scroll down until Bluetooth Audio LDAC Codec: Playback Quality
- Change the setting from whatever it is currently set as to Best Effort (Adaptive Bit Rate)
- Check to see if your issue has been resolved
If any changing these settings, you still encounter the same issues, try to change the setting to Optimized for Connection Quality instead. If your issue is still not resolved, try changing any of the other Playback Quality settings. You can also try changing the other Default System Selections for Bluetooth options to see if it helps.
5th Step – Change The Bluetooth AVRCP Version
You may also have some success by changing the Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) version. Most phones use a default Bluetooth AVRCP version of 1.4
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the System heading
- On the System screen, scroll down until you see { } Developer Options
- Scroll down until you see Bluetooth AVRCP Version
- Tap this heading, then experiment with selecting different AVRCP versions.
- Check to see if your issue has been resolved
6th Step – Try Changing The Bluetooth Audio Codec
Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and that the problematic Bluetooth device is connected to your phone, or the Developer options will not save or will not stick when you exit Developer options.
If changing the Playback Quality settings above did not help, try to change the Bluetooth Audio Codec to codecs such as AAC or SBC or LDAC to start. If those codecs do not help, try the other codecs in the list shown below.
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the System heading
- On the System screen, scroll down until you see { } Developer Options
- On some phones, it may be housed under Advanced Settings or another heading after it is unlocked
- Scroll down until Bluetooth Audio Codec
- Cycle through trying different codecs such as SBC, AAC, LDAC, Qualcomm, etc.
- Check to see if your issue has been resolved
7th Step – Consider Disabling The Absolute Volume Setting
When the Absolute Volume setting is enabled, it syncs the Bluetooth device and your phone’s volume slider to adjust the audio levels. Sometimes, this setting causes issues in some Bluetooth devices, so you can try to disable the Absolute Volume setting to see if it helps. Here are the steps to do that.
- Tap the settings icon / gear on your phone
- On the settings screen, scroll down to the System heading
- On the System screen, scroll down until you see { } Developer Options
- Scroll down until you see Disable absolute volume
- Turn this setting on
- Check to see if your issue has been resolved
8th Step – Try Turning Off Hotspot
If you experience Bluetooth sound stuttering or glitching, and you have the hotspot feature turned on your phone, consider turning it off to see if that helps with Bluetooth issues.
9th Step – Turn Off or Turn On A2DP Hardware Offload
Another setting that has helped some users is to turn off A2DP Hardware Offload. If you see this setting on your phone, try to turn it off to see if it helps.
If you prefer to watch a video walk-through of changing some of these settings, check out the video below:
10th Step – Reset Network Settings Completely On Your Phone
As a last resort, you can search for Network Settings on your phone and select the option to reset network settings. Keep in mind that this will also reset WiFi passwords and hotspot settings, so use this option as a last resort and only if you your WiFi passwords handy to fill them back in : )
As you can see, there are a ton of options to change and play around with. If you change one setting, such as the Bluetooth Audio codec, it would be wise to go back through the top of the list and redo the steps again, as different combinations of settings may have different results. Perhaps the Bluetooth AVRCP version should be changed to something else when changing the Bluetooth Audio codec. Or maybe the Playback Quality settings should be changed to something else. There will be endless options to play around with, so it may be time-consuming to test all combinations.
Let us know in the comments below if these settings helped, or not. If you have figured out another fix for this issue, please share it in the comments below. Thanks, and good luck!
9 worked for me. Fuzzy sound on every bluetooth devices. After restarting for a period it works..but when the CPU loads issue appears. So thank you for the very large tips. I think most of the issue are addressed in this post. Great work.
Glad to hear you got it sorted out Alex! Thanks for reading and sharing your experience.
After days of trying every fix on every forum and youtube video with no success, all I had to do to fix the problem was resetting the network settings. The simplest option of them all and the one I didn’t think was going to work. Thanks for the in depth guide. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing André! I will be sure to add that to my list of steps to try, but I’m glad you figured it out in the end : )
Yes … impressed good one bro
Glad it was helpful Pratham.
I originally google my device to find the manufacturer number, yet instead found this . Very grateful . Number 9 worked for me . I will try on another device to ensure. I was having the issue from my BLU Tablet. Not sure the version at the moment , but the issue was in my car and (Bluetooth) speaker (handheld) . I will say this . Thought it works and I haven’t tried in the other device yet (I almost do not want to ) lol I feel it may have something to do with my speaker. Also why is because the symbols that represent the Bluetooth device (as a Bluetooth symbol beside a name) now come up [on the tablet] as “headset” symbols and not Bluetooth symbols .while I WAS having the issue on my speaker, I noticed it would connect , the choppy slowed down quality playing would happen but , I’d also still be able to choose a connect option , the “Bluetooth symbol” would be by the device name [rockbox], AND it would now newly ask me for a device Pin . None worked . Also the symbols even after a factory reset (before I tried this) didn’t cchange them back . Everything works just fine now , except that. I wrote this all to say the device was brand new and though I did update it at one point , it didn’t start malfunctioning until a particular point in the day which I think was when trying to connect to the blue tooth speaker for the first time? Or prior to that . I only use to for music to
Connect to the car now Vs my phone. It’s probably a week and some days old tablet. .
Hey King Brown, glad to hear step 9 worked for your device. Yea even though Bluetooth is backwards compatible between devices, it’s probably better to use devices with as newer a Bluetooth version as you can find, and with as much codec support also, especially if you do not want to notice things like lip sync issues. Good luck!
Thank u step 9 worked for me.
Thank u thank u
Glad to hear it helped Aryan! Enjoy : )
6th Step – Try Changing The Bluetooth Audio Codec. 1-5 did not work for me but changing from AAC to SBC seems to have fixed the problem. Super Thanks!
That’s great to hear Jim! Enjoy.
Hello. In My case, I turned on A2DP Hardware Offload. It was off by default.
Thanks for sharing Tiago! That will help others to solve their issue!
Hi,
I followed your very clear instructions in 4th Step successfully to gain access to Developer options.
When I arrived at “Bluetooth Audio LDAC Codec: Playback Quality” I see that this menu item is greyed out.
Any ideas why?
Hi Noggin the Nog! One of the reasons why it could be greyed out is because the Bluetooth device in question is not currently paired and connected to the phone while you are going through the Developer options. Can you ensure that the Bluetooth device is powered on and connected, then repeat the steps again? Also if some Bluetooth devices do not support certain Bluetooth codecs or profiles, some options may not be available. Let me know how it goes, thanks.
Bro ive got a problem of sound cutting out, ive tried many things but it helps only for a few hours or minutes then comes back on. I only have sbc and aac codecs unfortunately. If you help me ill be grateful
Hey Aymaan, sorry to hear that the issue is still ongoing. I’m curious, if you pair the headphones/earbuds with another phone, or a laptop or computer, does the same issue occur where the sound cuts off? Or does it only happen with your phone?
i still have this problem I work in a company with a lot of electronics and machines. The device starts losing signal anyone any idea how to fix this? it keeps stuttering.
Hi jaybird_83, can you try changing your Bluetooth options to “Optimized for Connection Quality”? Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your bluetooth headphones or earphones are connected before you make the change. If that doesn’t help, you can try changing the Bluetooth codecs. It takes a lot of trial and error unfortunately.
Which phone and bluetooth headphones do you have by the way? Sometimes a phone or Bluetooth device with a lower Bluetooth version can give more issues. The newest Bluetooth version is 5.1, which offers improvements for battery life, range, etc.
Hi Adrian, I use Apple airpods, and Logitech Jaybird Headphones. But the point is if i change the settings in developer options it automatically roll back to default…. thats also an issue xD
Hey jaybird_83, hmm, ok try this.
1) Close all apps on your phone
2) Go into your regular Bluetooth options and delete the Logitech Jaybird Headphones from the Previously Connected Devices area (do not unpair, delete it or completely forget it)
3) After you do that, turn off Bluetooth on the phone and restart the phone.
4) After the phone restarts, turn Bluetooth back on, pair the Logitech Jaybird Headphones again (you will have to pair back like it’s the first time)
5) Once paired to Bluetooth and while Bluetooth is still on, go into Developer Options again
6) Scroll to Bluetooth Audio Codec and set it to LDAC
7) Scroll down to “Bluetooth Audio LDAC Codec” and set it to “Optimized for Connection Quality”
8) Change Bluetooth AVRCP version to the system default
9) Exit out of Developer options and go back into it right after to see which changes were kept.
The phone should only let you select the Bluetooth Audio Codec if the Bluetooth device that is paired supports it, so you may have to experiment a bit with picking different Bluetooth options to see which one sticks.
Let me know how it goes. Btw, some users report that turning off extra stuff like NFC, Hotspot, Data, etc. sometimes fixes their issues.
Hi Adrian, I’ve tried everything in the developer options did everything step by step. Nothing worked it rolled everything back.
Audio codec is to SBC.
If it keeps defaulting to SBC it probably means that is the only supported codec by the Bluetooth headphones. On some of my devices it defaults back to SBC, but it still allows me to change and keep all the other settings as long as BT is turned on and the device is paired. I did a search on Google and I can see that many others have the same issue that you have though. Which version of Android are you on btw? I’m on Version 9.
If you pair the headphones with another device, does the same issue occur? Or do your headphones work fine at home, and just have the issue at work when there is lots of interference?
I’m On Android 11, Miui version. 12.1.3 Stable. I only have this problem at work Sometimes when i walk outside with the dog. if i pair the device with another phone i have the same problem but less..
Unfortunately, I don’t think there is anything else I can recommend to try. Depending on the Bluetooth version in the phone and in the BT earphones, you may be experiencing some of the drops since if it isn’t a newer BT version. You may not be able to combat all the interference at work either 😐 Sorry I couldn’t be of help.
First of all Adrian Thanks alot for trying to help me, I will look and test other headphones if not i need to buy a new phone ( Just bought this one ) But then i need to go back to apple never had this issue by apple..
Have a nice day 🙂
Hi Jay, sounds good. Before you look at other headphones, try to find out the Bluetooth version of your current phone and see if using a headphone that has the same Bluetooth version or higher than the phone’s BT version will help. Apple devices will probably not suffer from these issues when they are paired with other Apple devices since they probably test and/or match the Bluetooth version to that generation of phone and earpods. Android definitely takes more effort sometimes. Good luck 🙂
Hi
Turning off absolute volume fixed my problem but of I turn off dev mode it automatically turns on and if I leave it on there will always be a dev mode icon on my device. My device is vivo y15
Hi Aayushmaan Golder, on my device it doesn’t show the Developer options icon when I leave it on. I am on Android version 9. Where do you see the developer icon? On the right side of the screen with the wifi and batttery? Or do you see if on the left side of the screen where it shows the notification icons? If it shows up on the left side of the screen, you can pull down your notifications bar, then long press on that notification or swipe to the left side of the specific notification to get more options to hide it I believe.
Let me know if that helped or not.
I tried with all the fixes, but only this work:
Reset the wifi, Bluetooth in Settings -> System -> Reset Options -> Reset WiFi, mobile, network. And it works!
Don’t know why, because I just recently did factory reset.
Thank you for sharing your fix Duong Vu Nguyen! Which version of Android are you on, and which phone do you have btw?
Thanks dude! worked for me!
Hi Dio, glad to hear that Duong Vu Nguyen’s fix worked for you. Enjoy!
Please Help me
Theres an unwanted buzzing noise to my inpods. I want to record using my inpods microphone but the results is worst. I mean it looks like you are talking underwater and inside a can. Please help me. I badly need the solution for my online class.
Hi Paul,
Have you tried pairing the inpods with another phone or device? If the buzzing sound issue is still there with another phone or device, it probably means that the headphones are defective, and no settings change may help. Have you also tried to turn off other nearby bluetooth devices? Sometimes there may be interference. Some users also report that having their data turned on with bluetooth turned on can cause some issues too.
For the audio recording sounding like it is underwater, that is more difficult to figure out. It could be that the microphone quality is just not that good, or that the microphone port has been covered with dust or something else. Has the audio recording ever worked clearly before, or has it always had this issue?
Hey, my Bluetooth earphones are connected to my phone but is showing “no media”. I would be grateful to you if you could suggest something.
Hi Swayam, when you connect the Bluetooth earphones, please go into your regular BlueTooth settings (not through developer options), then click on the GEAR icon next to the bluetooth earphones and make sure that “Media Audio” is selected. Take a look at my image to see what I mean.
If you do not know how to get to this screen, let me know.
My Bluetooth device or the handset works perfectly fine with other devices but when both of them are use together i can’t take voice calls using my Bluetooth neckband
Hi Vysakh V Mohan, what do you mean when you say that “when both of them are use together”? Do you mean that you have the Bluetooth Neckband connected to your phone along with another Bluetooth device, so that you have two Bluetooth devices paired at the same time? Or do you mean something else?