Can't stop my games from using the hands-free mode on a Sony WH-1000XM5

[Minos302]

Hi, 

 

I'm trying to game with a bluetooth headset Sony WH-1000XM5. Sometimes, my games switch to the hands-free mode which dramatically decrease audio quality. In some games, switching my microphone to another peripheral works, in some others I have to restart the game to even get the opportunity to do so (BF2042) and in my most recent example, I'm simply unable to change it (Age of Mythology Retold). 

 

I have tried several things:

- I disabled the hands-free mode in my computer settings, but it simply removes any sound coming from the headset

- I restarted my computer to make sure an obscure app was not running in the background and set my microphone to my Rode NT1-A everywhere (or so I think at least)

- I set my microphone as the Rode in AOM Retold

 

Nothing changes and I'm out of options, any ideas?

 

Thanks

[Timme]

Go to the Settings->System->Sound and scroll down to the "More sound settings". In a new window, under Recording tab, right-click on your headset and disable it.

[Minos302]

2 minutes ago, Timme said:

Go to the Settings->System->Sound and scroll down to the "More sound settings". In a new window, under Recording tab, right-click on your headset and disable it.

Thanks, but it's already disabled

[Timme]

Ok, 2 other things to do from the Device Manager(right-click Start):

First, under Bluetooth, find your XM5s. There should be two entries; delete them and re-pair the headset.

If this doesn't help, right-click and disable the Bluetooth entry tagged Avrcp Transport. 

 

Also, verify that your mic is tagged as the default recording device in that same Recording tab. 

 

[spacepickle]

Have you tried using analog audio aka the aux cord? Not sure if they’re compatible or if they need an amp but it should fix your issue if nothing else works. 

[Minos302]

On 4/18/2025 at 4:52 PM, Timme said:

Ok, 2 other things to do from the Device Manager(right-click Start):

First, under Bluetooth, find your XM5s. There should be two entries; delete them and re-pair the headset.

If this doesn't help, right-click and disable the Bluetooth entry tagged Avrcp Transport. 

 

Also, verify that your mic is tagged as the default recording device in that same Recording tab. 

 

There used to be two entries with Windows 10 so I could select the one I wanted, but on W11 I have only one. I tried deleting and re-paring, didn't work.

 

When I disable avrcp Transport, my headset stops working altogether. The device manager does show two devices:

 

- AVRCP Transport WH-1000XM5

- WH-1000XM5

 

My default mic is indeed the rode NT1-A, the mic from the headset is also disabled in settings.

 

 

 

On 4/18/2025 at 5:21 PM, spacepickle said:

Have you tried using analog audio aka the aux cord? Not sure if they’re compatible or if they need an amp but it should fix your issue if nothing else works. 

The only cable I have is the jack that came with the headset, it's too short to reach my jack port on my computer so it's not an option to game, but the good news is that it does fix the issue, so the problem lies somewhere in the bluetooth