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bluetooth headphones sound terrible on teams calls

Ask By Marcus B.2,891 views

my bluetooth headphones sound amazing for music but the second i join a teams call everything sounds like a tin can. like old phone quality. anyone know why

Brand
Sony
Model
WH-1000XM5
Connection
Bluetooth
System
Windows 11
Browser
Edge 130
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Bluetooth AudioHeadphones
Tool used in this discussionHeadphone TestLeft and right channel, balance and driver check
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Short Answer

Windows switches Bluetooth headsets to Hands-Free mode when the mic is on, which cuts quality. Use a separate microphone or pick the Stereo output for listening.

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Min-Seok Kim
Min-Seok KimAudio Team
Audio Codec Tester · 5+ years experience · Answered Oct 8, 2026

Classic Bluetooth cannot send high quality stereo sound and use the headset microphone at the same moment. When an app opens the mic, Windows moves the headset to the Hands-Free profile, which sounds narrow and muffled.

The fix is to stop the headset microphone from being the active input, so the headset stays in its stereo mode for listening.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Open Settings, System, Sound and pick the output named Stereo or Headphones, not Hands-Free
  2. In Teams, open Device settings and choose a different microphone, such as the laptop mic or a USB mic
  3. Rejoin the call and run the Headphone Test to confirm quality is back
  4. Update Windows and the headset firmware, since newer headsets support LE Audio, which allows better call quality
Sources
  1. Bluetooth SIG: Bluetooth Technology
  2. Microsoft Support

Checked by Neha Patel on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 5

  • Kayla MorganCommunity Member

    this is just bluetooth switching to the headset mic profile, quality drops hard. i use a separate usb mic for calls now

  • Justin HowardCommunity Member

    same, teams kills the audio quality on every bt headset i own. wired for meetings

  • Marcus BellCommunity Member

    ok so its not just me. going to try the dongle approach

  • Rohan GuptaCommunity Member

    Switched to a wired headset for work calls and the audio quality jumped. The Bluetooth hands free mode on Teams really does lower the quality.

  • Harry WhitmoreCommunity Member

    Same here on Sony XM4s. Music is fine, calls sound thin. It is the headset profile, not a fault.

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Min-Seok Kim
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Min-Seok Kim

Audio Codec Tester at Sound Test

Min-Seok Kim is the Audio Codec Tester on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Evaluates high-fidelity wireless audio latency, spatial tracking codecs, and digital sound output drivers. Connects with global consumer electronics engineers on LinkedIn. Based in South Korea. On Sound Tester he answers Bluetooth delay, codec and wireless headphone discussions, including lip sync problems on TVs.

Wireless latencyBluetooth codecsdigital output drivers
  • 8 answers on Sound Test
  • 5+ years experience
  • Reviewed by Neha Patel
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Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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