Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) is a new technology introduced in Windows 11 that allows audio streaming over Bluetooth Low Energy. Unlike Classic Bluetooth Audio, which uses profiles like A2DP or HFP, LE Audio uses modern Bluetooth profiles such as the Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP). In this post, we will see how to enable Bluetooth LE Audio in Windows 11 for added benefits.
How to enable Bluetooth LE Audio in Windows 11
Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) was introduced to stream audio using Bluetooth’s low energy. With the help of TMAP, or Telephony and Media Audio Profile, it does a really good job of enhancing the user experience. Not just that, Bluetooth Low Energy Audio has several benefits including longer battery life and better call quality. It also supports new features that Classic Audio does not, such as hearing aids that use LE Audio.
However, one should be aware that not all Windows 11 computers now have support for LE Audio. This includes devices marked to support Bluetooth LE. If you want to use LE Audio, you need to make sure that you are running Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, your device should support Bluetooth LE and be compatible with an audio codec, and LE Audio drivers are installed for both the Bluetooth LE Radio and audio codec.
How to check if LE Audio is supported on my PC?
To check if LE Audio is supported, open Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices. In Bluetooth & devices > Devices window under the Device settings section, make sure the setting Use LE Audio when available is present and is switched. If this setting isn’t available, your PC doesn’t currently support LE Audio.
If you meet the requirements, follow one of the methods mentioned below to enable Bluetooth LE Audio.
- Enable Bluetooth LE Audio from Settings
- Enable Bluetooth LE Audio from the Registry
Let us discuss them in detail.
1] Enable Bluetooth LE Audio from Settings
One of the easiest methods to enable Bluetooth LE Audio is from Settings. First, make sure to update your computer to the latest version. Once you have done so, follow the steps mentioned below.
- First of all, launch the Settings app with the help of the keyboard shortcut Win + I.
- You then have to navigate to Bluetooth & devices from the left side of the window.
- Now, look for Devices and click on it.
- Go to the Device settings section, and then turn on the toggle for Use LE Audio when available.
You can disable the settings by turning the toggle off.
However, if this feature is not available or Bluetooth LE is not supported on your device, you need to go through the prerequisites mentioned earlier, make sure your device is updated, and then come back to the Settings panel mentioned earlier.
2] Enable Bluetooth LE Audio from the Registry
Alternatively, you can enable Bluetooth LE Audio by creating a registry file and importing it into your Registry Editor. For those who don’t know, Windows Registry is a centralized database used to store configuration settings and options for the Windows operating system and installed applications.
Before making any changes to the Registry Editor, it is always recommended to create a backup of your registry. This can be used if you ever feel like restoring it. To do so, open the Registry Editor by searching it out from the Start Menu, click Yes when the UAC prompt appears, then go to File > Export, give it a name, select a location (preferably on your Desktop), and then save the file.
After creating a backup, open Notepad, and paste either of the following lines of code.
To enable Bluetooth LE Audio
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthAvctpSvc\Parameters\Bats] "UserPrefersClassicAudio"=dword:00000000
OR
To disable Bluetooth LE Audio
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthAvctpSvc\Parameters\Bats] "UserPrefersClassicAudio"=dword:00000001
You then have to go to File > Save as. Now, navigate to a different location, we would recommend you save everything on your Desktop as of now for maximum visibility, name it Enable Bluetooth LE.reg or Disable Bluetooth LE.reg, change Save as type to All files, and click on Save.
Once you have your file ready, just double-click on it. You will see a UAC prompt, click Yes when needed. Then, you will see a prompt asking you to confirm your action, click on Yes.
Upon successful completion of the installation of the Registry, you will see the following message.
The keys and values contained in C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Desktop\enable Bluetooth LE.reg have been successfully added to the registry.
Once done, reboot your computer, and Bluetooth LE Audio will be applied to your registry.
Hopefully, this post will help you turn on or off Bluetooth LE Audio.
Read: Fix Bluetooth LE Devices connectivity issues on Windows
Should I enable Bluetooth LE audio?
Enabling Bluetooth LE Audio can be beneficial as it offers improved audio quality and longer battery life by using less power. It also supports features like multi-stream audio, allowing you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. If you use hearing aids or assistive hearing devices, Bluetooth LE Audio can enhance your experience. However, ensure that both your device and audio accessories support this technology for optimal performance. If you notice any issues or incompatibilities, you can always disable it. In general, it’s worth giving it a try to see the improvements in your audio experience.
Read: List of new Bluetooth Profiles supported in Windows
What is the primary benefit of Auracast in Bluetooth LE audio?
The primary benefit of Auracast in Bluetooth LE Audio is its ability to broadcast audio to multiple devices simultaneously. This means that you can share audio experiences, like listening to music or a presentation, with others nearby without needing separate connections for each device.
Also Read: Bluetooth Headset is not working with Microsoft Teams.
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