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Why is my Surface Pro 8 connecting only to the Microphone of my JBL-ear plugs? :-(

Michael Moser 85 Reputation points
2025-12-14T16:56:27.6733333+00:00

My Surface Pro 8 has developed a new Bluetooth annoyance: since a few days when I am connecting my Bluetooth "earplugs" (JBL Live Pro 2 TWS) it only connects to the microphones, but not to the sound-output. I.e. in BT settings I see the ear-plugs connected but with the suffic "mics". When I then start some audio on the Surface it is indeed still playing via the speakers, not via the plugs. And it seems impossible to convince it to the fully connect (i.e. also as sound output device). Trying to disconnect and reconnect always brings them up again as mics only. I always have to remove the device, do a BT rescan and then re-add them and only then they will also play sound as one would expect.

These earplugs have worked fine for more than a year without any such issue. What might suddenly be causing this stupid behavior that they connect as mics only? There was no change or firmware update or such on the plugs.

This is under Windows 11 25H2.

Surface | Surface Pro | Sound and camera
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  1. Michael Moser 85 Reputation points
    2025-12-14T19:55:21.2766667+00:00

    converted to comment

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-14T16:56:41.8066667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like your JBL Live Pro 2 TWS earplugs are connecting in a way that only allows for microphone functionality, which can sometimes happen due to Bluetooth profile issues. Here are a few steps you can try to resolve this issue:

    1. Check Bluetooth Settings: Go to Settings > System > Sound and ensure that your JBL earplugs are selected as the output device. Sometimes, Windows may default to another audio output.
    2. Remove and Re-pair the Device: As you've mentioned, removing the device and re-adding it can help. Make sure to completely remove the earplugs from the Bluetooth settings and then perform a fresh pairing.
    3. Update Bluetooth Drivers: Ensure that your Bluetooth drivers are up to date. You can check for updates in Device Manager under the Bluetooth section.
    4. Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, Windows updates can fix underlying issues with Bluetooth connectivity. Check for any pending updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
    5. Disable Exclusive Mode: If you have any audio applications that might be taking exclusive control of the audio device, it could cause issues. You can check this by going to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced > More sound settings, then select your JBL earplugs and navigate to the Advanced tab to uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device".

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be worth checking the JBL support resources or forums for any specific compatibility issues with Windows 11 or recent updates.

    References:

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