windows reinstallation

Allow the Windows 11 reinstall to finish without interrupting it; once the Lenovo starts normally, complete Windows Update and install the Lenovo-specific Bluetooth and audio drivers before testing either headset.

After the reinstall finishes

1. Keep the laptop connected to power. Do not force it off at 82%; installation progress can pause for extended periods.
2. Complete the Windows setup screens and connect to the internet.
3. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
4. Install everything offered, including available audio or driver updates, and restart when requested. Repeat until Windows reports that it is current. Windows Update is Microsoft’s recommended first source for audio drivers.^1^
5. Go to Lenovo’s support site, identify the exact IdeaPad 5i model, and install its current Windows 11:
   • Bluetooth/Wireless driver
   • Audio driver
   • Chipset driver, if offered for that model
6. Restart the PC. Manufacturer-provided drivers are particularly relevant after reinstalling Windows because generic installation media might not include all hardware-specific drivers.^2^

Do not remove and pair the headsets again at this stage—you have already done that without success.

Test Bluetooth output

Turn on only one headset for the first test, then:

1. Select the speaker icon on the taskbar.
2. Select the arrow beside the volume slider.
3. Explicitly select the Skullcandy or Soundcore headset rather than the Lenovo speakers.
4. Also open Start > Settings > System > Sound and confirm that headset appears under Output.
5. While it is connected, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, select the headset, and choose Advanced sound properties.
6. Under Output settings, select 2 channels, 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality) if available.^3^

Play continuous audio for several minutes. If Windows changes back to the laptop speakers, open Device Manager > Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. Restart afterward.^3^

Address the weak, static-filled laptop speakers

Because the built-in speakers are now also affected, test their configuration separately:

1. Disconnect or turn off both Bluetooth headsets.
2. Open Start > Settings > System > Sound.
3. Under Output, select the Lenovo’s built-in speakers.
4. Set Audio enhancements to Off and test.
5. If static remains, open Advanced and try another Default format.^4^

If it remains distorted after installing Lenovo’s driver:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click the built-in audio device and select Uninstall device.
4. Confirm the uninstall, then restart. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.^1^
5. Reinstall Lenovo’s Windows 11 audio driver afterward if Windows substitutes a generic driver.

If the reinstall does not complete

If setup displays an error, record the exact error code. If it simply remains at 82%, avoid restarting it unless there has been no disk activity or progress for several hours. For a failed generic-media reinstall, Lenovo recovery media is the preferred fallback for hardware compatibility because it normally includes the model-specific drivers and factory applications.^2^

If both the Bluetooth audio and built-in speakers still fail after Windows Update and the Lenovo drivers are installed, contact Lenovo hardware support. The result across two known-working headsets plus distorted internal-speaker output would require model-specific audio/Bluetooth diagnostics rather than another Windows reinstall.

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/update-audio-drivers-in-windows)
2. Recovery options in Windows | Microsoft Support
3. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-connected-but-no-sound-issue-on-windows#solution-6-install-the-latest-bluetooth-drivers)
4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/audio/fix-distorted-or-crackling-audio-in-windows)