Bose SoundLink II microphone not working (badly muffled) when using Bluetooth

[Jemhadar]

The microphone on my new Bose SoundLink IIs is not working properly when connected to my phone via Bluetooth. The person on the other end can hardly hear me and tells me I sound incredibly muffled. This is only happening when connected to the headphones via BT. (It works fine when connected via the AUX cable.)

If I turn the listening volume waaaay up (to uncomfortable levels), then I'm told I don't sound as muffled and can be heard better. However, at such high volume, it's almost painful for me to hear, and the person on the other end has feedback issues -- they hear themselves talking b/c the volume is so loud.

It seems that when I turn the listening volume up or down (either via the headphones themselves or via the phone), it is also affecting the microphone volume too. Which doesn't make any sense.

I've tried the instructions provided in other topics for resetting the headphones. It did not help. I've tried unpairing them and repairing them too. Nothing seems to help.

[Hector_B]

Hello Jemhadar, 

Thanks for posting and welcome to the Bose Community. Sorry to hear that your headphones mic is not working correctly! 

We appreciate the detail of your post and the steps that you have attempted so far. Let's also ensure that the headset is running the latest software version, to do this please connect your headset to a PC/Mac via the USB charging cable, once connected please visit our online updater and follow the on-screen instructions to update the headset. 

I look forward to hearing back from you with the result of the update. 

[elton_dc]

I have the exactly same problem. I’ve paired it with an iPhone SE, iPhone 8, MacBook Pro, and a Google Pixel 3a. If I do a restart, as explained by a Bose employee in some other messages, the microphone will work fine once. I’ve also updated it using the phone app, and the Bose Updater Software. I have also disconnected and paired again several times, all seems to be the same.  My Phone is fairly new, and the mic never worked. Bose, please help.

[Portia]

I had the same issue... and the annoying part is I have gone through the whole returning process. Now after a month I finally got a replacement headphone from Bose, and it’s having the EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!! I’m so frustrated...Please tell me there is a way to fix it without returning the product. It takes forever for the replacement to came and I don’t have other earphone to use for my job. 

[paul.vandoesburg]

Same thing for me... Did also returned the product and received a brand new one but even with the new one, still have the EXACT same problem again (using an Iphone 8 and Windows 10).

Firmware is up to date and did the procedure to reconnect. No fix available?

Thanks  

[Jessie_O]

Hey there, 

Thank you for reaching out to us and welcome!

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you are experiencing and I will be more than happy to help you! 

Can you tell me which speaker you have? If you are unsure, I have included a product identifier HERE.

I look forward to hearing from you! 

[jonathan999]

can this be fixed via a software update?

it is very bad design that the microphone volume is linked with the output.

I bought a Bose headphone because I thought it was a very good brand.

Please fix this.

[gualdras]

I have the Around Ear wireless II https://www.bose.com/en_us/support/products/bose_headphones_support/bose_around_ear_headphones_suppo...

I've already ordered a replacement but the same is happening. I've tried the restarting steps I found online, and that got it from sounding extremely far away to being heard but with a lot of background noise. A friend of mine has the same one and it works fine for him. Please provide a solution, or confirm that you have retired the malfunctioning devices so we can order a replacement that works

[fletch123]

I have same issue, have tried all the “solutions” - only thing that works is keeping the volume low and shouting - nice.  Anyone come up with a better plan?  

[nouturn4]

Can you guys at guys at Bose customers support assist here? I’ve the same issue and have only 14 days to return my new headphones to the retailer. If you tell me there is or at least will soon be a solution I might keep them.