Microsoft details Bluetooth LE Audio requirements and support for Windows 11, 10

Microsoft introduced Bluetooth LE (low energy) Audio support with Windows 11 22H2 KB5026446 (build 22621.1778), also known as Moment 3, in May 2023. The release notes state:

This update adds support for Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) Audio. Your computer must support Bluetooth LE Audio to use this feature. This update improves sound quality and battery life when you connect your computer to a Bluetooth LE Audio headset or headphones.

A Bluetooth LE Audio related document has also been published on the Microsoft Learn website, delving into some of the technical aspects of the new technology and detailing how the Windows Bluetooth Vendor-Specific Audio Path (VSAP) will allow platforms to enable Bluetooth LE Audio streaming.

This document also defines a number of audio format requirements that independent hardware vendors (IHVs) must meet to support Bluetooth LE Audio. These requirements include audio frame durations of 7.5 ms or 10 ms, support for the Basic Audio Profile (BAP) and Telephony and Media Audio Profile (TMAP), among others.

Microsoft details Bluetooth LE Audio requirements and support for Windows 11, 10

However, at the time, Microsoft never published a specific set of requirements for the average user. Recently, the company finally published a support article titled "Check if a Windows 11 device supports Bluetooth Low Energy Audio" to clarify the concepts involved.

Microsoft has confirmed that Bluetooth LE Audio will not work on Windows 10 or Windows 11 21H2. Here's what it says:

Not all Windows 11 devices support LE Audio, even if the Windows device is advertised as supporting Bluetooth LE. To use LE Audio, the Windows device must:

  • Running Windows 11, version 22H2 or later.
  • Supports Bluetooth LE compatibility and compatible audio codecs.
  • There are LE Audio support drivers from the manufacturer for both the Bluetooth LE radio and audio codec.

Note: Bluetooth LE Audio is not supported on Windows 10 or Windows 11, version 21H2.

Some Windows 11 devices that do not currently support LE Audio may have support added in the future through driver updates from the manufacturer.

Bluetooth LE Audio on Windows also supports hearing devices like hearing aids, a feature the company began testing last October on the Canary channel. A separate support article for the feature has also been published, and in it, Microsoft confirms that adjusting certain aspects of acoustics like audio presets and ambient sound volume on hearing aids is only supported on Windows 11 24H2 and above.

You can find this support article on Microsoft's website here .

Leave a Comment

Side Hustles That Actually Pay in 2026: 7 Realistic Options and the Tradeoffs to Know

Side Hustles That Actually Pay in 2026: 7 Realistic Options and the Tradeoffs to Know

Compare realistic side hustles for 2026 by startup cost, fees, flexibility, and income control, with current tax and scam guidance from official sources.

Remote Work Ergonomics in 2026: Upgrade Your Home Office Without Overbuying

Remote Work Ergonomics in 2026: Upgrade Your Home Office Without Overbuying

Upgrade your home office ergonomics with current OSHA and NIOSH guidance on chair fit, monitor height, laptop setup, lighting, and movement.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Leadership—and How to Build It

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Leadership—and How to Build It

Learn why emotional intelligence matters in leadership, where it helps most, how to strengthen it, and how to tell whether your approach is working.

How to Transition to a Tech Career Without a Degree: A Results-First Roadmap for 2026

How to Transition to a Tech Career Without a Degree: A Results-First Roadmap for 2026

A practical roadmap for moving into tech without a degree: choose an accessible role, build job-ready skills, prove them with projects, and use hiring feedback to improve.

Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn in 2026: What Still Works, What Changed, and What to Ignore

Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn in 2026: What Still Works, What Changed, and What to Ignore

Build a credible LinkedIn personal brand in 2026 with current profile, content, newsletter, analytics, verification, and visibility guidance from LinkedIn.

Quiet Quitting vs. Quiet Firing in 2026: What’s Really Changing at Work

Quiet Quitting vs. Quiet Firing in 2026: What’s Really Changing at Work

Quiet quitting and quiet firing are catchy labels, not diagnoses. Learn what is verified, what depends on context, and what employees and managers can do next.

The Rise of the Fractional Executive: When Part-Time C-Suite Leadership Makes Sense

The Rise of the Fractional Executive: When Part-Time C-Suite Leadership Makes Sense

Fractional executives offer senior leadership without a full-time hire. Learn when the model works, what to ask, and the risks to manage.

How to Negotiate a Raise During Q4 Performance Reviews: A Practical 2026 Decision Guide

How to Negotiate a Raise During Q4 Performance Reviews: A Practical 2026 Decision Guide

Prepare a stronger Q4 raise request with current wage data, timing options, compensation tradeoffs, and scripts for yes, partial, or no outcomes.

6 High-Income Skills You Can Start Learning Before 2026 Ends

6 High-Income Skills You Can Start Learning Before 2026 Ends

Choose a high-income skill you can realistically start before 2026 ends, with current pay data, learning priorities, and a practical self-check.

Mastering the Hybrid Work Schedule: A Practical Framework That Actually Holds Up

Mastering the Hybrid Work Schedule: A Practical Framework That Actually Holds Up

Build a hybrid work schedule around tasks, team overlap, and measurable outcomes. See sample patterns, warning signs, and when to adjust your plan.