easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Bluetooth Headphones Paired but No Audio During Calls: Profile Mismatch
A customer reports that their new Bluetooth headphones pair with their smartphone but produce no audio during calls. The headphones work fine with other devices. What is the most likely cause?
Quick Answer
The answer is a Bluetooth profile mismatch, specifically that the smartphone lacks the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or Headset Profile (HSP) required for call audio. While the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) handles high-quality music streaming, phone calls rely on HFP or HSP to manage two-way audio and microphone control. This is why the headphones pair and play music but produce no audio during calls. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Bluetooth profiles as distinct functional layers—a common trap is assuming pairing guarantees full functionality. Remember that A2DP is for listening, but HFP is for talking; if call audio fails, suspect the profile, not the hardware. A useful memory tip is “Music needs A2DP, calls need HFP”—if one works and the other doesn’t, the missing profile is the culprit.
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between Bluetooth pairing/connection and profile support, trapping candidates who assume that successful pairing guarantees full functionality across all audio use cases.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The smartphone does not support the required Bluetooth profile for call audio.
The most likely cause is that the smartphone does not support the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or Headset Profile (HSP) required for bidirectional call audio over Bluetooth. While the headphones may pair and work for media audio using A2DP, these profiles are distinct and must be supported by both devices for voice calls. Since the headphones work with other devices, the issue is specific to the smartphone's Bluetooth profile support.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The headphones are out of battery.
Why it's wrong here
If the headphones were out of battery, they would not pair or produce any audio at all, not just during calls.
- ✗
The smartphone's Bluetooth antenna is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
A damaged antenna would likely cause intermittent or no connectivity, not a profile-specific failure.
- ✓
The smartphone does not support the required Bluetooth profile for call audio.
Why this is correct
Bluetooth profiles like HFP or HSP are needed for call audio; A2DP only handles music. If the phone lacks these profiles, calls will be silent.
- ✗
The headphones are paired to too many devices simultaneously.
Why it's wrong here
Most Bluetooth headphones connect to one device at a time; multi-point pairing is limited and would not cause profile-specific silence.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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Storage Devices: HDD, SSD, NVMe
Key term
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used to connect devices like keyboards, mice, headphones, and smartphones without cables.
Key term
Smartphone
A smartphone is a handheld mobile device that combines cellular communication with computing capabilities, running an operating system that supports third-party applications, internet connectivity, and a touchscreen interface.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their new Bluetooth headset pairs with their smartphone but no audio is heard during calls. The headset works fine with another phone. What is the most likely cause?
easy- A.The headset battery is low.
- ✓ B.The phone is not using the correct Bluetooth profile for calls.
- C.The headset is out of Bluetooth range.
- D.The phone's Bluetooth radio is faulty.
Why B: The most likely cause is that the phone is not using the correct Bluetooth profile for calls. Bluetooth headsets require the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or Headset Profile (HSP) for bidirectional audio during calls. If the phone defaults to the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for media streaming instead, audio will not route through the headset for calls. Since the headset works with another phone, the issue is specific to the phone's profile selection or configuration.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.