Microphone from QC35 (bluetooth headset) does not work on Windows (Bootcamp)

What a huge pain.

1. There are internal microphone issues where the mic becomes static-y after 20 minutes or so of usage (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microphone-issues-on-bootcamp-macbook-pro-16-inch/c8c407be-cdff-42e6-a628-fa904a2a7c6f)
2. I can't connect any bluetooth headset microphones using the built-in bluetooth either (this thread)
3. I can't add a bluetooth dongle to the system, because apparently it will break the built-in bluetooth semi-permanently (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250944058?page=16)

What a wild cascade of failures.

I have an audio-only bluetooth adapter for my Nintendo Switch that I am very tempted to plug in, just to see if I can connect a bluetooth headset with it - maybe being audio-only will mean it won't break the internal bluetooth adapter somehow. I'm so desperate, I just might try it...

javamu wrote:

Hi LonerT.. did you have any findings yet?

Yes. Please see My Airpods mic isn't working with Win… - Apple Community. All Apple T2 controller-based Macs (About the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support) seem to have this issue.

I have logged a Feedback Report - FB7683868.

I also experience this problem on a MBP 16 running Bootcamp Windows 10 with Jabra Elite 85h connected with bluetooth, no adapters, only recognized as a audio output device but no input, see screenshot below.

jgsquared wrote:

Any updates? September 2020 and still no fix in sight. Tried to call into tech support to get this escalated. Kind of crappy when you spend $3,500 on a macbook pro only to not have it work as intended when bootcamped.

It is badly broken. My FB request has no comments either.

On the new 16-in MBP (and older T2-controller Macs), this is a known issue. The driver does not seem to recognize the Microphone side on Windows. If I get a chance, I will try to debug the BT layer and see what I can find.

Read through both threads/discussions.

"updateChainPower error: -3903
2020-04-10 13:11:13 +0000 Apple80211Get(APPLE80211_IOC_BTCOEX_MODE) returned error -3903"

The BT/Wireless radio is the same device. This call looks for a BT/Wireless coexistence mode setting (Bluetooth Collaboration setting on the Network Adapter), which is internally handled on newer Macs. On older Macs (2013/2014 models), this is a manual setting, and is typically set to Auto or Enabled, typically on 7.35.x.x series drivers. The underlying issue seems to be a power management issue. Both cannot operate at full power without causing heat issues. An external BT dongle seems to be causing a power overload, instead of lowering the power of internal radios, which indicates a firmware bug.

Hi LonerT.. did you have any findings yet?

I'm having the same problem as OP. I can connect my airpods over bluetooth for audio, but not the mic. Have tried alot of things.. reinstalling drivers, pairing / unpairing, cold-booting windows but never got the mic working.

I'm running bootcamp on a 16 inch macbook pro.

Just wanted to note that I have this issue as well. How long does it usually take for updates/fixes like this to be released? Is there any way I can push a button to "nudge" apple to prioritize this more?

alexanderqchen wrote:

Is there any way I can push a button to "nudge" apple to prioritize this more?

You can call Apple Technical Support to give them a nudge. Referencing the FB may make it a bit quicker. 😉

Same here - Sony WF-1000XM3 - recognized just as headphones (just music) not as headset with microphone, a very not nice suprise after buying a brand new top-spec MacBook Pro 16 for work (yup, mainly Zoom, and yes, Windows required)

Is the Microphone recognized in macOS?

AlekKowalczyk wrote:

Same here - Sony WF-1000XM3 - recognized just as headphones (just music) not as headset with microphone, a very not nice suprise after buying a brand new top-spec MacBook Pro 16 for work (yup, mainly Zoom, and yes, Windows required)

Zoom/Skype/Microsoft Teams and other similar tools work in macOS. The 16-in MBP has additional issues, too.

Yes, on MacOS the Sony WF-1000XM3 is recognized, and when I go to System Preferences/Sound/Input and select it -> it looks like the microphone works since the input bar moves when I'm talking.

However in windows the Sony on my old laptop was recognized as "Sony WF-1000XM3" just for music, and "Sony WF-1000XM3 (Headset)" which works with a microphone. When using bootcamp only the former is found when connecting bluetooth - since the microphone doesn't work.

I cannot migrate to MacOS, since the full Microsoft Visual Studio is a crucial part of my workflow, and I can't use parallels because I want to use as much as possible of the power of the macbook pro.