Stopping “bluetooth audio gateway” in Windows services seems to be the best solution so far. I also took it one step further and changed the service’s properties to Disabled.
1 Like
This isn’t a solution but a workaround that will do while we wait for an actual fix. Either way thanks for sharing. That’s what I’ve been doing and I should’ve said so.
I think I may have found another temporary solution to this problem. I have Bose QC Ultra Headphones and every time I started MSFS 2024 I would experience a severe drop in audio quality as hands free mode would be forced on.
If you go into device manager under System Devices there is a device called “Bose QC Ultra Headphones Hands-Free AG” (assuming other brands as well)
I just disabled this device via properties in device manager and restarted my PC and now my headphones do not switch into hands free mode when starting MSFS 2024. Also, there is no 30 second delay when reconnecting to Bluetooth like others have reported with different work arounds. When reconnecting my headphones, it is virtually instant.
I found this solution on the third page, second reply of this windows forum
EDIT: Make sure to restart your PC after disabling the “Hands-Free AG” device or it will not work. Also after windows updated to 24H2 it enabled this device so I had to disable it again.
3 Likes
I have the same issue with BOSS QC35. It seems that MSFS2024 opens my microphone every time I start the sim, even though I have blocked it in Windows settings.
1 Like
This worked for me. THANK YOU !
I’m experiencing the same issue with both my Bose headphones and B&O speaker. The audio quality degrades into mono, low-bitrate sound, and the microphone activates despite having its permissions disabled everywhere possible. It appears that only Microsoft Teams and Flight Simulator have the ability to override the permissions I’ve set for mic access. This suggests Microsoft is exploiting system-level privileges in a way that other software providers cannot.
Using Pixel Bud Pro 2 and this worked for me, thank you 
It worked, thank you!
I have the same problem. This problem exists for everyone who has a Bluetooth headset with integrated microphone. It’s not just that you have to be annoyed by the thousands of bugs in the flight simulator. Now you also have to deactivate your audio devices. It stinks violently …
1 Like
That’s only one of the things “Solved” means in Zendesk.
It could also mean “Rejected - unreproducible”
or “Rejected - Duplicate Issue”
or “Rejected - Working as designed”
Unless the reviewer responds directly to you on your report, we have zero idea what happens with our bug reports. That particular system is useless for end users to understand whether or not they’re actually getting support.
BTW, on my Air Pod Pro 2’s connected to my Windows 11 Lenovo Legion laptop I don’t get distorted audio or mono, my volume drops to basically 1 or close to zero. I can barely hear any audio with my Air Pods. I’ve tried all the fixes explained on all the bug reports on this issue. None of them work. No problem with any other programs on the laptop with MS2024 isn’t running.
I hope they’re taking this bug seriously.
I have some Cheapo JBL Bluetooth headphones getting the same problem and thought I was the only one till I found this thread. What worked for me is that last post about stopping the “Bluetooth audio gateway” in windows services. Thanks, guys, for sharing your solutions!
Same issue with Sonos Ace. I have great sound quality on Spotify … until I launch MSFS and the sound degrades significantly. It does not do this in other games I play (including MS AOE). Based on the list above, this doesn’t seem to be an issue with any specific headset. It is a conflict with MSFS and (for me) Spotify.
OK, I just fixed this by plugging my headphones in via cable. So, at least in the case of Sonos Ace, it is Bluetooth related. Hardwiring the headset fixes the problem of sound quality degradation.
Same issue here WH-1000XM4 bluetooth.
Can’t get any “solution” to work either.
Figured out a fix. Works on AirPods Max flawlessly.
Disable game chat in msfs and set input/output devices to whatever random audio device you can.
In xbox game bar - go to “Voice” and remove your BT headset from there completely, change it to whatever else you want or can.
Boom, no more switching \o/
I think I’ve found a somewhat reliable workaround for Windows 11, which is to disable the Hands-free Telephony service in Windows 11. Annoyingly it appears you need to keep doing this after every restart of the computer.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > More devices and printer settings (near the bottom under Related Settings) > Find your headphones device, right click and select Properties > Services tab > uncheck Hands-free Telephony.