LE Audio Not Working

[rickhoran]

I'm having trouble connecting my Bluetooth LE Audo-compatible Jabra Enhance Pro 20 hearing aids to a Spectre x360 laptop. 
Although the HP updater said all drivers were up to date, the Intel driver site found several newer ones, which I downloaded and installed.  I have the latest Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build, Bluetooth version 5.2, and LMP 11.8641 support, on my Intel WiFi 6 AX 201 (160 Mhz), which should theoretically make the Spectre notebook LE Audio-compatible.
Tellingly, there's no setting titled "Use LE Audio when available" on the Settings/Bluetooth Devices page that would confirm LE Audio compatibility.  Although I can pair the hearing aids,  when I try to connect I get the message, "Your Windows PC doesn't support LE Audio.  Some features may not be available for your hearing aids."
Has anyone had any success or have any ideas?  I've spent way too much time on this issue already.  Thanks!

[Alden4]

Hi @rickhoran,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

The issue you're facing is a common one for users attempting to leverage Bluetooth LE Audio with older or even newer devices. Here’s a breakdown of potential steps and insights to address the problem.

Verify LE Audio Support on the Device

• LE Audio requires both hardware and software support. While your Intel WiFi 6 AX 201 and Bluetooth 5.2 theoretically support LE Audio, the feature's availability also depends on:
  • Firmware and driver compatibility: Intel and HP may not have released the necessary updates to enable LE Audio features.
  • Windows version and feature set: Ensure your Windows 11 Pro 24H2 build is fully updated, as LE Audio support is being incrementally rolled out in Windows 11.

Check for LE Audio Support Indicators

• The absence of the "Use LE Audio when available" setting in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices indicates that the feature is not active.
• Run the System Information tool (msinfo32):
  • Expand Components > Sound Device and check for any reference to LE Audio.

Update Drivers and Firmware

• Intel Bluetooth and Wireless Drivers: Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant to ensure you have the latest firmware for your Intel AX201 module.
• HP BIOS and Drivers: Visit HP's support page for your Spectre x360 13t and download the latest firmware, chipset, and Bluetooth drivers.
• Update the firmware of your Jabra Enhance Pro 20 hearing aids if applicable, through their associated app.

Enable LE Audio Features (Registry/Settings)

• Some features might be disabled in the Windows registry by default. You can manually check this:
  • Press Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthLEEnum
  • Look for keys related to LE Audio or Bluetooth codec support (e.g., LC3 codec) and ensure they are enabled.

Check for Windows Insider Preview Builds

• If you’re comfortable testing, Windows Insider Preview builds often include experimental features like LE Audio. Consider enrolling in the Beta or Release Preview channels to test upcoming updates.

[Alden4]

Use Bluetooth Codec Checking Tools

• Tools like Bluetooth Tweaker can be used to determine which codecs and profiles are active. This might give insight into whether LE Audio is being used or why it fails.

Fallback: External Bluetooth Adapter

• If LE Audio compatibility remains elusive, an external Bluetooth 5.2 or 5.3 USB adapter that explicitly supports LE Audio might be a temporary solution.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[rickhoran]

Thank you Alden for a comprehensive response.

I have tried many of your suggestions, but not all of them, so I will begin going through the things I may have missed and will report back.

Lastly, I would like to suggest that Microsoft, HP and Intel publish a database of their operating system, hardware components, software drivers and firmware that are necessary to enable LE Audio.   That way users would know why it's not working.

Thanks again.

Rick

[rickhoran]

Thanks for the additional suggestions, Alden.

I tried using the Bluetooth Tweaker, which sounded promising but could not get past the first screens that appeared all black.  Perhaps it was a temporary glitch.  I'll try again later.

Why does the HP updater page indicate that everything is up to date yet there is a BIOS update, uninstalled?  Same thing for the graphics driver update.  Weird.

Lastly, I looked around for a Bluetooth 5.3 USB dongle and am having difficulty in locating any.  If you want to make a recommendation, I'm all ears.
Thanks again for the help.
Rick

[Alden4]

Hi @rickhoran,

Thank you for your response, 

It sounds like you're facing a complex issue with LE Audio and Bluetooth, especially regarding driver compatibility and hardware support. Here are a few advanced troubleshooting steps to consider.

Verify and Install LE Audio-Specific Drivers

• Intel Bluetooth Drivers: Even if the Intel Driver & Support Assistant reports everything as up to date, it's worth checking manually on Intel's website for specific updates related to LE Audio, as sometimes these can be excluded from regular update checks.
• Windows Bluetooth Stack: Ensure the Windows Bluetooth stack has been updated to support LE Audio. You can go to the Device Manager and check if your Bluetooth adapter is showing any driver updates pending under the "Bluetooth" section.

Manually Update BIOS/Chipset Drivers

• BIOS Update: If the HP Updater page shows the BIOS update as pending, this is worth addressing. Sometimes, BIOS updates can unlock support for newer Bluetooth features or improve hardware compatibility. Visit the HP Support page for your device model, manually download the latest BIOS, and install it directly. Note: Always ensure you have backups before updating the BIOS.
• Chipset Drivers: In addition to the BIOS, make sure all the chipset drivers are up to date from HP's website, as they could impact Bluetooth functionality.

Registry Tweaks for LE Audio Activation

• Open the Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit) and go to:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BthLEEnum
  • Look for any keys related to LE Audio, particularly ones that mention the LC3 codec (the codec used for LE Audio).
  • If there are any disabled flags, try modifying them to enabled or set the value to 1.

Check for Codec Support

• Run the Bluetooth Tweaker tool again to check if your device supports the LC3 codec, which is a core requirement for LE Audio. If the tool shows the codec as unavailable, it might indicate that either the hardware or the drivers are not properly supporting it.
• If the tool is still showing a black screen, try updating your graphics drivers or running the tool in compatibility mode for a previous Windows version (like Windows 10).

Using Windows Insider Preview Builds

• As LE Audio is still being rolled out, Windows Insider Preview builds may offer experimental support or new fixes for LE Audio. Consider enrolling in the Beta or Release Preview channels. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, and choose a channel that offers newer Bluetooth features.

Use an External Bluetooth 5.2/5.3 USB Dongle

• Since you're struggling to find a Bluetooth 5.3 dongle, consider Bluetooth 5.2 dongles from brands like Plugable, TP-Link, or ASUS, which offer excellent compatibility with LE Audio and come with driver support specifically designed for newer Bluetooth standards.
• You could also check out user reviews or specialized tech forums to ensure the dongle explicitly supports LE Audio and LC3 codec.

[Alden4]

Check the Compatibility of Your Devices (Jabra Enhance Pro 20)

• If you're using devices like Jabra Enhance Pro 20 hearing aids, ensure their firmware is up to date, as these devices may also need specific updates to fully support LE Audio. Check the associated app for any updates or consult Jabra's support.

Confirm LE Audio Settings in Windows

• Double-check the Settings > Bluetooth & Devices menu. If LE Audio is supported, you should see an option to enable it when available.
• Bluetooth Audio: In some cases, LE Audio needs to be manually selected as the preferred codec in the audio settings or in specific device drivers.

If all else fails, an external adapter might be your best bet for ensuring full LE Audio functionality, especially if your current hardware can't fully support it.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[rickhoran]

When I started selling portable computers in the early eighties, MS-DOS was the OS, screens were monochrome, and capabilities were limited. While they represented an improvement over calculators and typewriters, they were hamstrung by the components that required the user to be a technician. 

Windows was released in 1985, which made the screen look prettier, but getting everything to work together remained a challenge. Bill Gates promised that one day, PCs would be like appliances: you just plugged them in, and they would work.
I guess we're not there yet.

[Alden4]

Hi @rickhoran,

Thank you for your response, 

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Alden4

HP Support