How to enable / disable Bluetooth Absolute Volume in Windows 10

Windows 10 includes a special audio feature, Absolute Volume, which allows the volume slider to precisely control the local volume of the Bluetooth speakers (or headphones) connected to the computer. It is available in Windows 10 starting with version 1803 April 2018 Update.

Absolute Volume in Windows 10

Microsoft is constantly improving the Bluetooth stack in Windows 10. For example, the 2004 version of Windows 10 has passed Bluetooth 5.1 certification, bringing all of the latest stack enhancements into the hands of users. Additionally, Windows 10 is also expected to support Bluetooth 5.2 features in Insider Preview builds, which will be included in a feature update released after 20H1.

Absolute Volume is a useful feature. However, for some Bluetooth devices, it may prevent you from adjusting the volume for each left and right side. After you change the volume level for one of the speakers, the volume level of the other also changes automatically.

How to enable / disable Bluetooth Absolute Volume in Windows 10 Picture 1 Change the volume level for one of the speakers, and the volume level of the other is also changed automatically

In this case, you may want to disable Absolute Volume. This can be done with a Registry edit. Before proceeding, make sure that your user account has admin rights. Now, follow the instructions below.

How to enable / disable Bluetooth Absolute Volume in Windows 10

Step 1. Open the Registry Editor application.

Step 2. Go to the following Registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001ControlBluetoothAudioAVRCPCT

Step 3. On the right side, modify or create the new 32-bit DWORD value DisableAbsoluteVolume.

Note : Even if you're running 64-bit Windows, you still have to create a 32-bit DWORD value.

Step 4. Set its value to 1 to disable the Absolute Volume feature.

How to enable / disable Bluetooth Absolute Volume in Windows 10 Picture 2

Step 5. Set its value to 0 to enable Absolute Volume.

Step 6. Restart Windows 10.

David Pac

Update 08 August 2020