# Audio is forcing hands free Bluetooth mode

**URL:** <https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/audio-is-forcing-hands-free-bluetooth-mode/284143>\
**Category:** I - Report a Bug\
**Created:** [February 18, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/audio-is-forcing-hands-free-bluetooth-mode/284143 "2026-02-18T00:54:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DougieFresh](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/dougiefresh/32/206339_2.png) [@DougieFresh](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/DougieFresh)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/audio-is-forcing-hands-free-bluetooth-mode/284143/1 "2026-02-18T00:54:38Z")

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### Game Version:

- **Build:** 21925283
- **Platform:** Steam
- **Operating System:** Windows 10
- **Gamertag:** DougieFresh

### Issue:

Audio when entering the game forces Bluetooth into hands free mode.

You can disable hands free technology in windows in both the sound manager or device manager pages. Age is currently ignoring this some how, as i use this setup with many applications and games already.

### Reproduction Steps:

Here’s how to reproduce the problem:

1. Acquire Bluetooth headphones with handsfree tech
2. Launch Age of empire

### ATTACHMENTS:

 ![image](https://forums.ageofempires.com/uploads/default/original/3X/d/b/dbad619a3604ae77267f2f132607006dd2a10e75.png)attached is the relevant section disabling the hands free audio selection.

and the audio settings from in game, where I am stuck in hands free mode I have selected 2-HD 450BT, and am not presented with the hands free option. (No screenshot can only embed one file as a new forum user).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AirmailAttic719](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/airmailattic719/32/179215_2.png) [@AirmailAttic719](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AirmailAttic719)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/audio-is-forcing-hands-free-bluetooth-mode/284143/2 "2026-02-18T23:52:53Z")

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I think you posted in the wrong forum, this is aoe1 and this bug is aoe2. It’s also already answered there.