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Bluetooth earbuds connected but no sound in call and media

Harshit A Savita 0 Reputation points
2026-05-09T06:27:20.6733333+00:00

I have an HP EliteBook laptop running Windows 11 and OnePlus Buds 3. Everything worked fine before a recent Windows update, but after updating I started facing Bluetooth audio issues.

Problem

  1. When I connect the buds to the laptop, I hear the Bluetooth connection sound in the earbuds, but no media or call audio plays.

After restarting the laptop, media audio works temporarily.

If I close the lid, lock the laptop, or wake it from sleep, the issue returns — only the connection sound works, but no actual audio.

I already updated the Bluetooth drivers, but the problem persists.

The earbuds work perfectly with other laptops and devices.

System

Laptop: HP EliteBook

OS: Windows 11

Earbuds: OnePlus Buds 3

What I need

How can I permanently fix this Bluetooth audio issue after the Windows update?

Windows for home | Other | Devices and drivers
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2 answers

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  1. Sin-D 9,845 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-10T02:13:58.42+00:00

    Hi Harshit A Savita,

    I understand how frustrating it can be when your Bluetooth earbuds connect but stop playing audio, especially when it keeps happening after sleep or locking the laptop.

    Before we go further, can you confirm:

    • Did you try all the steps suggested by Q&A Assist (especially re‑pairing and checking output device after the issue happens)?

    I’ll avoid repeating those and focus only on what hasn’t been covered.

    1, Disable “Hands‑Free Telephony” (very important for call/audio issues)

    Sometimes Windows switches to a low‑quality “call” profile after sleep, which results in no media audio.

    1. Go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers”
    2. Right‑click your earbuds > “Properties”
    3. Go to “Services” tab
    4. Uncheck “Handsfree Telephony” > Apply > OK
    5. Reconnect the earbuds

    This helps ensure Windows uses the normal stereo audio profile instead of call mode.

    2, Prevent Bluetooth power saving

    Windows may turn off the Bluetooth adapter during sleep and fail to restore it properly.

    1. Open Device Manager
    2. Expand “Bluetooth”
    3. Right‑click your Bluetooth adapter > “Properties”
    4. Go to “Power Management” tab
    5. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
    6. Restart the laptop

    3, Reset Bluetooth services

    When the issue happens (after waking), try:

    1. Press Windows + R > type services.msc
    2. Find “Bluetooth Support Service”
    3. Right‑click > Restart

    If audio comes back immediately after this, it confirms a service/driver resume issue.

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-05-09T06:27:35.3566667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Follow these steps on Windows 11 to address the Bluetooth audio issue after the update:

    1. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
      • Open the Get Help app using the Bluetooth troubleshooter link and let it automatically diagnose and fix common Bluetooth audio problems:
      • Use: Run the troubleshooter in Get Help
    2. Confirm the buds are the selected output device
      • Click the Sound icon in the taskbar and make sure the OnePlus Buds are selected as the output device when the issue occurs.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
      • Under Output, verify the OnePlus Buds are selected as the output device.
    3. Adjust the audio format
      • Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
      • Select the OnePlus Buds, then select Advanced sound properties (the buds must be connected to see this option).
      • Under Output settings, set Format to 2 channels, 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality).
    4. Re-pair the earbuds
      • Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
      • Find the OnePlus Buds, select More options (…) > Remove device.
      • Select Add device, then pair the OnePlus Buds again and test media and call audio, including after sleep/lock.
    5. Toggle Bluetooth
      • Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
      • Turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
      • Reconnect the OnePlus Buds and test.
    6. Update Bluetooth drivers again (post‑update compatibility)
      • Select Search on the taskbar, type device manager, and open Device Manager.
      • Expand Bluetooth, select the Bluetooth adapter (may include the word “radio”).
      • Right‑click it > Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software and complete the wizard.
      • Restart: Start > Power > Restart.
      • If Windows reports no newer driver, download the latest Bluetooth driver from HP’s support site for the specific EliteBook model and install it. If the download is an .exe, run it directly; if it contains .inf/.sys files, use Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers in Device Manager and point to the folder, then restart again.
    7. Keep Windows fully updated
      • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
      • Select Check for updates and install all available updates, then restart.

    These steps address the common causes after a Windows update: incorrect output selection, audio format issues, pairing corruption, and outdated or incompatible Bluetooth drivers.

    References:

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