AX211 with bluetooth headset: speaker but no microphone

[xfOx]

Hello

I found the next problem - Gigabyte AORUS 5 SE4 with new Intel AX211 on Windows 11 (home / pro) Bluetooth Headphones with Mic not recognized as headset only as headphones

I tried with Sony WH-1000XM3, Sony MDR-ZX770BN, Sony SBH52, Sony SBH56

I tried different drivers from Intel site (version 22.160.0) and from notebook manufacturer ([22.160.0.3] [22.90.3.2]) but problem weren't fixed.

So on my PC (ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (WI-FI)) with Intel AX200 and the same Windows 11 (pro) no problem with these headphones - they all shown in Input and Output devices (as on screen)

ax200 and wh-1000xm3

Similar problem was described in this thread (https://community.intel.com/t5/Wireless/AX201-with-bluetooth-headset-speaker-but-no-microphone/td-p/1251296) but no solution provided.

Looks like this is the Intel driver problem, why it's not fixed for such long time ?

[myk]

similar issue with two laptops. First mic disappears, then bluetooth disappears entirely and can't be turned on. 

dell precision 5470 win 11

dell xps 9520 win 11

[SM65]

Change your Bluetooth dongle to some brand like TP-Link or like. I had faced a lot after changing the Bluetooth dongle it worked for me.

[alex197]

Exactly the same problem with my Intel AX211 module on my Geekom Mini IT12 (Nuc based) device. Any news or solutions here? Is there maybe an alternative Wifi/Blutooth Module that works? 

[alex197]

I swapped the AX211 module with an AX210 (for 13 Euros) - now everything works fine. Bluetooth including Microphones and I couldn't see any difference in WIFI performance. 

[Billy5]

@alex197

Hi Alex I have the same problem with my Geekom Mini T12.

Which AX210 did you use for swapping? Is this one ok?

Billy

[alex197]

AX210NGW WiFi-Karte, Wi-Fi 6E 11AX-Funkmodul Erweitern Sie auf 6 GHz MU-MIMO Tri-Band-Netzwerkadapter mit Bluetooth 5.3 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B39631G1/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_JtOwo7W7qAhge this one worked for me

[Billy5]

Thanks

Danke

[ToothCouncil]

tl:dr: I don't have a real solution, but using a Bluetooth USB dongle is a workaround.

Details:

Wanted to share my experiences for posterity.

I've used a Framework laptop for a couple years. Windows 11, Intel AX211NGW Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip. Several months ago I started having Bluetooth issues. I'm not certain if it was sporadic or constant, but sometimes it wouldn't use my Bluetooth headset microphone. I had no other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi issues.

More recently I did more in-depth troubleshooting, spending hours and hours trying various tactics and looking things up. In the end, I realized:

• Bluetooth headsets would connect as audio output devices, not audio input devices (I tried three Bluetooth headsets from different manufacturers)
• Upgrading, downgrading, disabling, reenabling, uninstalling, reinstalling drivers didn't seem to work (I tried a few driver versions, starting with a 22.something version and up to the most recent available, 23.90.0.8)
• A hardware issue seemed likely, and the Wi-Fi chip is also responsible for Bluetooth.
• Replacing the AX211NGW with a AX411 Wi-Fi chip didn't fix the issue. I have the exact same behavior: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth works fine, except that it will not recognize Bluetooth audio input devices.
• I tried a Bluetooth USB dongle (Asus). That worked fine. Just like when I changed the Wi-Fi card, I had to re-pair Bluetooth devices, but I was able to use my Bluetooth devices properly.

Maybe this is a driver issue, in which case practically every laptop user would be affected until Intel eventually releases a fix - and that issue would have been happening for at least three months.

Or maybe this is a hardware issue, but not with the Wi-Fi card itself - but I'm unclear on what else could go wrong with the internals of a Framework laptop that would result in this very specific issue.

[DeadlyRush]

2025 and the issue is still not fixed? It seems like AX211 does not support HSP.