Samsung S8 - Bluetooth media audio works but call audio doesn't work

[Android Central Question]

Hi,
I have had an issue for last few months and none of the software update till latest one installed today doesn't resolve the issue.
When I connect my S8 to any Bluetooth device (car Bluetooth system, couple of different Bluetooth headset), media audio works okay always and call audio doesn't work. I can't hear the call audio but on other end can hear me which I reckon mic is working bluetooth call, but bluetooth speak is not working.

I have done everything I have seen in many different forums - clear Bluetooth cache, memory, unpair/ repair, disable "Ok google". Only thing I haven't tried is factory reset, which I know may fix temporarily but issue will come back again after few days.

Very rarely, incoming call works but most of the time it doesn't work. Outgoing call never works. So I have been using mobile's call speaker mode instead of Bluetooth mode which is inconvenient and more so driving me nuts

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to Android Forums

I'd like to recommend creating a account so me or other members can assist you, as guest have limitations in replying here and if we need further Information to communicate with you.

I'll provide a link to register, please come back to your post so we can further assist you .https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Have you adjust the volume on the phone all the way up?

 

[Rukbat]

While you're in a call. When you're not in a call, the volume button is the ringer volume.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! When you're connected to the car system, go to Settings>Bluetooth, tap the gear icon next to the car stereo entry, and make sure Phone Audio is turned on.

 

[jaunty1]

Thanks I am created an account now

Nice try
But yes, I have made sure volume is up and I have made sure in the bluetooth paired device, I have check call audio is enabled.

Yes during call, I am sure call volume is to the max. Since when I press the volume button during call, I can hear the volume up and down notification tone, but call audio is still not working

It is enabled and even checked it again during a call

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks I am created an account now

Hi, welcome!
So none of the other methods works in this thread?

 

[B. Diddy]

Does it work in Safe Mode? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-34283

 

[jaunty1]

Does it work in Safe Mode? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-34283

Apologies for not getting back earlier. Hope everyone is safe during this horrendous phase.

I have tried following troubleshooting steps,
Setup: S8 connected to various headset/ wearable - Philips headphone, car bluetooth, plantronics headphone, Samsung active 2

Issue: Bluetooth media audio always works, but bluetooth call audio never works. I can't hear the audio or other party hear me in a call, so I fallback to using mobile in handset mode or turn on mobile speaker to talk.

Troubleshooting steps already tried but failed to resolve the issue,

1. unpair and pair bluetooth device
2. Reboot mobile
3. Mobile Bluetooth clear cache, clear data
4. Mobile (recovery mode) - wipe cache clean
5. Toggle mobile airplane mode
6. Removed all existing pairs
7. Mobile has been updated with latest software few times over last one year and issue never got resolved
8. Mobile in safe mode - still issue occurs
9. Mobile reset networks
10. Mobile factory reset - still issue occurs
11. Bluetooth headsets tried with other mobile (S7) - headsets work fine

 

[mustang7757]

Check some of these

Bluetooth history any apps controlling bluetooth

Device care settings for optimized not on can reduce volume up to 50%

Any extreme power saving modes like medium or adapt

DND ( do not disturb) not on can limit media volume

 

[B. Diddy]

When this happens, can you actually still hear the phone audio over the phone's own earpiece speaker, or is everything silent?

 

[jaunty1]

Thanks for your suggestions
As mentioned in original post, issue is only with call audio and media audio works perfectly fine.
Power saving modes are turned off. Since issue occurs in safe mode, I don't think any app controlling bluetooth could be a root cause.

Check some of these

Bluetooth history any apps controlling bluetooth

Device care settings for optimized not on can reduce volume up to 50%

Any extreme power saving modes like medium or adapt

DND ( do not disturb) not on can limit media volume

View attachment 318602View attachment 318603

Whilst in the call, if I switch to phone handset or phone speaker, call audio is perfectly fine.

When this happens, can you actually still hear the phone audio over the phone's own earpiece speaker, or is everything silent?

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, what I meant was if you still hear the call audio over the phone's earpiece even though Bluetooth is turned on and call audio is set for the BT device -- if that were the case, it would suggest some Bluetooth bug where it's not even recognizing the device for the call.

 

[anon(10614692)]

Try changing the Bluetooth version via Developer options

 

[jaunty1]

ah okay, I get it now. When I answer a call, it defaults to bluetooth device (but silent). so it is recognizing bluetooth device in call, but some bluetooth bug doesn't allow the call audio to stream.

I have tried - car bluetooth, philips bluetooth headphone, plantronics bluetooth headphone and samsung galaxy active2. Same observation in all these bluetooth devices for call audio doesn't work but media audio works.

Sorry, what I meant was if you still hear the call audio over the phone's earpiece even though Bluetooth is turned on and call audio is set for the BT device -- if that were the case, it would suggest some Bluetooth bug where it's not even recognizing the device for the call.

 

[jaunty1]

Try changing the Bluetooth version via Developer options

Tried with AVRCP 1.3 to 1.6 versions and nothing helps

 

[anon(10614692)]

I'm clutching at staws. Couple of things, make sure NFC and Wi-Fi are off. What happens if you only select call audio or media?

 

[B. Diddy]

Any Accessibility settings turned on?

 

[jaunty1]

Both NFC and WIFI turned off. If only call audio is selected on bluetooth device setting, call automatically connects to bluetooth device but still no audio. With medio only connected, as expect mobile call connects to handset

I'm clutching at staws. Couple of things, make sure NFC and Wi-Fi are off. What happens if you only select call audio or media?

Checked everything is default and turned off. Whislt in it tried mono audio too, but still doesn't resolve the issue

Any Accessibility settings turned on?

 

[mustang7757]

Check in system app bluetooth has the permission on ?

Also all 3 on that list clear data,cache,force stop