# Why isn't there a easy way to turn off Bluetooth tv audio? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 19, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513 "2022-10-19T23:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/1 "2022-10-19T23:56:18Z")
Tvs still use the mechanical jack that pushes a lever that disables the tv built-in speakers. Its the same type jack they used in transistor pocket radios in the 1960’s. There was a ear piece that plugged in and disabled the speaker. I bought a Bluetooth adapter and headphones. Works great except there are times I want to listen without headphones. The tv is mounted on the wall. It’s a big PITA to reach behind and unplug the audio cable. Do tvs with built-in bluetooth audio let you switch it between speakers and headphones in Setup? I can’t understand why a clunky mechanical audio jack from the 1960’s is still used to disable the internal speaker whenever a cable is plugged in? Why not provided a switch (on the front) we can use or a switch in the setup menu? The headphone jack used to be on the front of tvs. I used headphones with my tv during college. It was simple to reach and unplug. I really like Bluetooth headphones. I can understand whats being said. But my wife likes to hear the news and the tv is stuck using headphones. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/2 "2022-10-20T00:07:53Z")
Modern TVs will just switch to the “normal” output when there is no Bluetooth connection. Your tv _has_ a headphone switch: it is conveniently located in the headphone plug. You could try to connect your headphone to another audio output (AUX or even a HDMI) an see if that can be manipulated through the menu. Or maybe when you turn the “normal” audio down the AUX output still gets a signal— you then have to find a different way to control the volume of your headset. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/3 "2022-10-20T00:26:05Z")
I was surprised they’re still using that old style audio jack. I need to check for tvs with built-in bluetooth audio. They should have a switch in Setup menu. It may be like android phones. Shutting off bluetooth restores the internal speaker. Or just shutting off my bluetooth speaker restores the built-in speaker. There is a HDMI jack that I can try. RCA jacks for input. Not output. I may give this tv to a family member. It’s a Vizio that I bought in Feb. I don’t want to risk a fall standing on a chair and reaching behind this tv to unplug the audio cable. It’s mounted high on the wall. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/4 "2022-10-20T00:50:15Z")
I feel your pain. I thought SURELY, there’s a setting to enable the built in speakers when an audio jack is plugged in. NOPE. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/5 "2022-10-20T00:57:20Z")
Virtually every modern tv allows you to turn the internal speakers off and on from the menu, not by plugging in to the audio out. I have a 10+ year old Samsung with a Bluetooth transmitter plugged into the audio out, but I can still turn the speakers on if I don’t want to wear headphones. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/6 "2022-10-20T01:14:43Z")
I’ve been through all the setup options. Under Speaker there’s Auto, On, Off. Default is Auto I’ve tried On and that didn’t override having the audio cable plugged in. Audio gets confusing because there’s Analog, Digital, Dolby etc. I don’t have a Sound bar for digital audio. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/7 "2022-10-20T11:34:18Z")
Does your TV have an optical (TOSLINK) audio output? This Bluetooth transmitter seems to accept optical as one of its inputs: > **[Monoprice Bluetooth 5 Transmitter and Receiver with Qualcomm aptX Audio,...](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38070&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PMax:%2B%2BSmart%2BShopping%2B-%2BMonoprice%2B-%2BAudio%2BVideo%2B-%2BElse&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=6614305189&hsa_cam=17489107419&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjw48OaBhDWARIsAMd966BOVtvLWnBx6CwqHJ3w4jHtMpmvOxMHYOFaKzLtGaG_-2wXCppAVC4aAu_9EALw_wcB)** > > The Monoprice™ Bluetooth® 5 Transmitter and Receiver allows you to turn any device into a Bluetooth‑enabled one. It uses Bluetooth version 5 and features the Qual On our TVs the optical output is always available and plugging in the optical cable does not disable the internal speakers. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/8 "2022-10-20T12:00:14Z")
I’ll check. Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/9 "2022-10-20T13:59:17Z")
Can’t you just turn off the headphones? I mean, not from the TV but on the headphones themselves. > **[How to Turn Off a Bluetooth Headset](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/turn-off-bluetooth-headset-43771.html)** > > How to Turn Off a Bluetooth Headset. Bluetooth headsets can be used with mobile phones and with many voice over IP (VoIP) phones. If your business uses Bluetooth headsets for its employees, one of the most basic functions they need to learn is how to... ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/10 "2022-10-20T14:42:13Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I don’t have a Sound bar for digital audio. What about getting a sound bar with an audio out jack? It will depend on the audio switching options in the sound bar, but that would be cheaper than a new TV. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-there-a-easy-way-to-turn-off-bluetooth-tv-audio/973513/11 "2022-10-20T21:33:48Z")
I learned the hard way my bluetooth headphones will run the battery down. I shut them off whenever I don’t need them. I’ll look at features on sound bars the next time I’m in Walmart Hopefully one will have a headphone jack that won’t mute the speakers.