Emily ParkerBy Emily Parker

Updated November 2026

Windows 10 can use LDAC, Sony’s high-resolution Bluetooth audio codec, but only if your PC’s Bluetooth adapter, driver and headphones all support it. This guide shows you how to confirm LDAC support, set it up and verify that your audio is really streaming over LDAC rather than falling back to a lower-quality codec like SBC.

Check whether your hardware supports LDAC

Windows 10 has no built-in LDAC option. The codec depends on your Bluetooth adapter’s driver and your headphones. Start by confirming both sides can handle it.

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  • Your headphones or speaker must list LDAC in their specifications. Manufacturers that support it usually print the codec name on the box or in the product manual.
  • Your PC’s Bluetooth adapter needs a driver that exposes LDAC. Many built-in Intel and Realtek adapters do not, so check your adapter’s documentation or the manufacturer’s site.
  • If your adapter is weak or outdated, a USB Bluetooth 5.0 or later adapter with a supported driver is the usual fix.

Install or update the right driver

LDAC support usually depends on a vendor-specific driver rather than the generic Windows Bluetooth stack. Open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click your adapter and choose Update driver. If Windows reports that the driver is current, download the latest package directly from the adapter or laptop manufacturer’s support page and install it. Restart the PC afterward.

Enable LDAC in your driver settings

Once a compatible driver is installed, look for a codec option in the Bluetooth utility or the audio properties for the device.

  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and confirm your headphones are paired and connected.
  2. Open the vendor’s Bluetooth control panel, if one was installed with the driver.
  3. Find the audio codec or audio quality setting for the connected device.
  4. Select LDAC. Some drivers offer a quality setting such as “Priority on sound quality” or “Priority on connection stability.” Sound quality mode uses higher bitrates, while connection stability mode is more reliable in crowded radio environments.
  5. Disconnect and reconnect the headphones so the new codec negotiates correctly.

Verify that LDAC is actually in use

Selecting LDAC in a menu does not guarantee that audio uses it. Devices negotiate the codec when they connect, and they will drop to SBC if the link is weak. To verify, keep the headphones close to the PC, play a high-bitrate file, and check the codec indicator in your Bluetooth utility. If it reports SBC or AAC, reduce interference, move the headphones closer, and reconnect.

A Bluetooth adapter that explicitly supports LDAC makes setup far simpler, since you are less likely to run into missing driver options. Look for a USB model that lists Bluetooth 5.0 or newer.

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Headphones that list LDAC in their specifications will only use it if the PC side also supports it, so check both before buying.

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Common mistakes

  • Assuming Windows 10 includes LDAC by default. It does not, and the option only appears with a compatible driver.
  • Choosing LDAC on the phone but not the PC. Both ends must match.
  • Leaving the headphones at the edge of Bluetooth range, which forces a fallback to a simpler codec.
  • Using crowded 2.4 GHz environments, such as near Wi-Fi routers, without checking the codec indicator.
  • Expecting LDAC to fix poor source files. A low-bitrate stream will sound the same over any codec.

FAQ

Does Windows 10 support LDAC natively?

No. Windows 10 does not include LDAC in its standard Bluetooth stack. You need a compatible adapter driver that adds the option.

Why does my connection still show SBC?

The headphones and PC negotiate the codec on connection, and they fall back to SBC when the signal is weak or the other side does not support LDAC. Move closer, reduce interference, and reconnect.

Is LDAC better than AAC on Windows 10?

LDAC can transmit more data than AAC, which can help with high-resolution files. Real-world benefit depends on your source material, environment and hardware.

Conclusion

To use LDAC on Windows 10, confirm your headphones and adapter both support it, install the vendor driver, and select LDAC in the Bluetooth utility. Always check the active codec after connecting, since the link can quietly fall back to a simpler standard. Consult your device manufacturer’s support documentation if your adapter’s options do not match these steps.

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Emily Parker

About Emily Parker

Emily Parker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our headphone tech & types guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.