All bluetooth headset mic is not working with Window 11

I have the same issue, and I'm pretty sure KB5066835 is to blame, as prior to this I had no problems at all. I can hear audio just fine from YouTube or similar, but no bluetooth headset microphone will work and Teams is refusing to pipe any sound at all to Bluetooth headsets or use the microphone. I have tried re-pairing, the trouble shooters (although Windows 11 claims that I don't even have half the troubleshooters and at one point claimed I don't have a bluetooth radio which is patent nonsense). Windows 11 is amateur hour writ large; the worst OS I've had the misfortune to use (and that includes Windows ME and 8). This the same with:

Pixel Buds Pro

Pixel Buds 2a

Bose QC 35 II

Having to use a tethered headset without noise cancelling is not just inconvenient, it's utterly absurd. Bluetooth is not a new technology, but apparently Satya's push to replace humans with shit AI is now bearing fruit in the number of crappy, broken updates being shipped to users who have no choice but to stick with your dreadful OS because of work. Not that he'll care what with his fat paycheque, bonuses and shares of course.

Same thing here: on 3 different sets of Bluetooth headsets: only the headphones or only the microphone can be enabled at any one time. This behavior started immediately after the Windows 11 25H2 update was installed.

• If the headphones are set as the output, the microphone is produces no input and just clicks once when you try to engage it, oftentimes crashing whatever software is trying to use it.
• If the microphone is enabled first, then it will work, but the headphones will not and won't output any sound.
• Everything works as long as you set the input and output devices to be different.

The machine is a Lenovo X1C G13 with the Intel BE201 Bluetooth chipset and the latest Intel 23.160.0.9 driver as of 10/29/2025 (driver build date is 7/20/2025). The headsets I've tried were 3 different models and generations of Bose wireless headphones and earbuds.

Solutions attempted:

• Rebooting
• Removing the Intel Bluetooth device, reinstalling device and driver
• Rolling back Bluetooth driver to 4/2025
• Upgrading driver to the newly-released 23.170.0.3
• Removing and Re-adding headsets

Update: the solution ended up being updating to the 26200.7019 (or 26100.7019 for 24H2) preview build of Windows by installing KB5067036 manually, along with updating the Intel BE202/BE201/BE200 driver to version 23.170.0.3 and rebooting.

Update: the solution ended up being updating to the 26200.7019 (or 26100.7019 for 24H2) preview build of Windows by installing KB5067036 manually, along with updating the Intel BE202/BE201/BE200 driver to version 23.170.0.3 and rebooting.

Dear @Timothy Liew,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Bluetooth headset microphones stopped working on Windows 11 after an update, even though the system shows them as connected. This is a known issue after recent Windows 11 updates, especially with version 24H2, and it’s usually related to driver or profile handling changes.

Therefore, here are some steps I recommend you try while waiting for further investigating:

Option 1: Update Drivers

• Right-click on the Start menu and then select Device Manager.
• In Device Manager, expand Bluetooth and Sound, video and game controllers, then:
  • Right-click your Bluetooth adapter > Update driver.
  • Do the same for your audio drivers.
• In the Update Drivers window that opens, select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows proceeds to search for updated drivers. If it finds any, it installs the updated drivers.

If Windows doesn't find updated drivers, updated drivers can be searched from Windows Update by selecting the option Search for updated drivers on Windows update. From there, follow the instructions in the article Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.

• Select the Close button to close the Update Drivers window.
• For reference: Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows

Option 2: Reset Bluetooth Stack

• Remove your headset: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices > Remove device.
• Restart your PC.
• Re-pair the headset.

Option 3: Make sure apps have access to the microphone

If your microphone isn't detected after updating Windows 11, you may need to give your apps permission to use it. Here's how: 

• Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access is turned on.
• Make sure Let apps access your microphone is turned on, then choose which apps have access. Desktop apps won't appear in this list.

If you want to give access to desktop apps, make sure that Let desktop apps access your microphone is turned on. You can't turn off microphone access for individual apps. 

If your camera contains a microphone, you might also need to give your apps permission to use your camera.  If so, select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure Camera is turned on.

Option 4: If others can't hear you

Try the following solutions:

• If your headset has a Mute button, make sure it isn't active.
• Make sure that your microphone or headset is connected correctly to your computer. If your headset is a wireless Bluetooth device, make sure your Bluetooth device is paired and connected by following the steps at Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows.
• Make sure that your microphone or headset is the system default recording device. Here's how to do this in Windows 11:
  • Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
  • In Input, go to Choose a device for speaking or recording, and select the device you want. 
  • To test your microphone, speak into it. In Volume, make sure the blue bar moves to make sure Windows hears you. 
• Run the Recording Audio Troubleshooter. Select Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Select the Recording Audio troubleshooter.

Additionally, if you are having trouble with your microphone features, or with the microphone on your headset or webcam, the following information can help you troubleshoot and resolve issues. Please follow the Microsoft Official Guide here: Fix microphone problems

Option 5: Run the Windows Bluetooth troubleshooter

You can start by running the automated Bluetooth troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will automatically run diagnostics and attempt to fix most Bluetooth problems. If you are using an older version of Windows or a mobile device, please skip to Common Bluetooth issues in Windows 11 section.

If the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help app is unable to resolve your issue, select your specific Bluetooth problem from the Common Bluetooth issues in Windows 11 section below and follow the provided steps. If your issue is not listed, refer to the General Bluetooth troubleshooting in Windows  11 section and follow the outlined steps there.

For more information and instruction (Bluetooth troubleshooter and troubleshooting steps), please follow the Microsoft Official Guide here: Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

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Dear @Timothy Liew,

I’m truly sorry for the trouble you’ve been experiencing with Bluetooth audio on Windows 11. I know how important your headset setup is for calls and daily work, and I appreciate the care you’ve taken to test different combinations.

Based on what we’re seeing across multiple cases as many users have reported the same issue after the latest Windows 11 update, this behavior is very likely due to a limitation in the latest Windows 11 update affecting how Bluetooth audio profiles are routed (stereo playback vs. hands‑free with mic). Your observation is spot‑on:

• It doesn’t work when Bluetooth Headset A is set as the microphone and Bluetooth Headset B is set as the speaker.
• It does work when Bluetooth Headset A is the microphone and the laptop’s speakers handle audio.

Current Workaround:

Your current workaround, use Headset A for the mic and keep laptop speakers for audio, is a good and stable solution. It avoids the profile conflict and keeps calls reliable.

Recommendations:

1/ Keep Windows Update turned on This ensures you’ll receive Microsoft’s patch as soon as it’s released.

2/ Report the issue via the Feedback Hub Your report helps Microsoft prioritize a fix and capture the device details that matter. How‑to: Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app

3/ (Optional) Roll back the recent update If the problem started right after an update and the Go back option is available (usually within ~10 days). Please follow the Microsoft Official Guide here: How to uninstall a Windows Update

• If enough users raise feedback through the Feedback Hub, it significantly increases the chances that Microsoft will prioritize this issue for a faster fix. Microsoft uses the volume and quality of feedback reports to identify widespread problems and allocate engineering resources accordingly.

Note: Please be reassured that you are not alone, I’ll continue to monitor this case and will reach out to you with any new updates as soon as possible.

Again, I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or need clarification, please feel free to reach out.

I'm looking forward for your reply.

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