Windows 11 lets you change the default sound output device from the quick settings panel. Useful when you want to quickly switch from your headphone to speaker and vice versa. But there is more than one-way switch between your audio devices.
Apart from the quick settings panel, you can change the sound output device from Windows Settings panel the classic Sound Control panel. In this article, we show you the many ways to change the sound output devices in Windows 11.
1. Switch Audio Device Using the Quick Settings Panel
The easiest way to change the sound output device is via the Windows 11 quick settings panel. Here’s how to swap between audio devices in Windows 11 using the same.
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Make sure the audio devices you want to use are connected to your PC.
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Next, click the quick settings panel icon in the bottom left corner. It includes your Ethernet, Volume, and Battery control icons.
- When the panel pops up, click the right arrow icon at the end of the volume slider. This will bring up all the audio devices connected to your PC.
- Click on any device to set it as the sound output device.
2. Switch Sound Output Devices via Volume Mixer
Volume mixer in Windows 11 lets you manage your volume levels, input, and output devices, as well as configure volume levels for different apps installed on your PC.
To set the Output device using volume mixer:
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Right-click on the Volume icon in the quick settings panel.
- Next, click on Open volume mixer from the context menu. You can also open the volume mixer from Settings > Sound > Volume mixer.
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In the Volume mixer window, click the drop-down for Output device and select the audio device you want to use.
- Additionally, you can also select your input device and set the volume level for multimedia apps that you are currently using.
3. Change the Sound Output Device Using the Settings Panel
If you want more control over the output device and its properties, you can do it in Windows Settings. Apart from swapping the output devices, you can also control volume, change output settings, enable or disable enhance audio and choose your spatial sound technology.
Follow these steps to change your sound output device in Windows Settings:
- Press Win + I to open Settings.
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In the System tab, click on Sound.
- The Sound panel lists all the audio devices connected to your PC and can play sound. Click on the device you want to set as your Output device.
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To configure the output device for the advanced features discussed above, click the right arrow icon for the output device to view its Properties.
- Here, you can change the audio quality, format, and more for the device. You can set and use your sound device as a default device for audio and communications.
4. Set Default Sound Output Device Using Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar is a built-in customizable game overlay available on Windows 11 and 10 computers. You can access it with the Win + G shortcut. It gives you instant access to game capture tools, performance statistics, and audio controls.
You can also use Xbox Game Bar to change your default audio device during gameplay or otherwise. Here’s how to do it.
- Press the Win + G combo on your keyboard to launch the Xbox Game Bar overlay.
- In the Audio window, open the Mix tab.
- Click the drop-down for Windows Default Output and select your headphone or speaker.
- Press the Esc key to exit the overlay. The changes made via the Game Bar overlay are applied system-wide.
5. Switch Audio Output Device Using SoundSwitch
SoundSwitch is a third-party volume control app for Windows. It lets you switch between your audio output devices from the Taskbar. You can also use it to access the classic volume mixer and sound control panel in Windows.
However, what makes SoundSwitch so interesting is that it lets you set up custom volume control hotkeys in Windows 11. You can assign multiple keyboard shortcuts to different sound output devices and switch between the devices instantly.
Follow these steps to assign hotkeys to your default playback devices in Windows using SoundSwitch:
- Go to the SoundSwitch page and download the latest installer. Then, run the installer and complete the installation.
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To assign a hotkey, you need to access the SoundSwitch settings. So, click the up arrow icon in the taskbar to expand system tray.
- Right-click on the SoundSwitch icon (headphone icon) and select Settings.
- In the Playback tab, select your default playback device.
- Next, open the Profiles tab.
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Here, click the Add button to create a new profile for your output device.
- In the Add Profile window, type a name for the profile.
- Next, select the Also switch default device option.
- Click the drop-down for Playback and select the sound output device for which you want to set the hotkey.
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Next, click the drop-down for Available Triggers and select Hotkey.
- Click the Add button.
- Click on the Hotkey field and press the hotkey you want to use. For example, if you want to use Ctrl + M to switch to the default audio device, press Ctrl + M to assign it as the hotkey.
- Click Save to add the profile.
- Repeat the steps to add hotkeys for other devices.
To remove profiles, open SoundSwitch settings and click on the Profiles tab. Next, select the profile you want to remove and click Delete.
Download: SoundSwitch (Free)
6. Set Default Sound Output Device using Sound Control Panel
You can use the classic Sound control panel to set a default audio device in Windows 11. Useful if you use one audio output device more than the other and prefer to keep it as your default device for all the apps.
To set a default output device in Windows 11:
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Type control mmsys.cpl sounds and click OK to open the Sound control panel.
- Next, open the Playback tab.
- Right-click on the device that you want to set as default and select Set as Default Device.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Swiftly Switch Between Audio Output Devices in Windows 11
In Windows 10, you could switch between different playback devices with a right-click on the volume icon. However, Windows 11, in its quest to simplify things, made the process a bit tricky.
Now you need to use the quick settings panel and access the volume settings to switch between the devices. If you find the process bit laborious, consider using the SoundSwitch app to swap your playback devices with a hotkey.
If you have multiple speakers and/or headphones and wish to set or assign different output/playback devices to play audio from a specific program or app, here’s a simple guide on how to change the output device for different apps on Windows 11.
Also see: How to Split Sound Between Speakers and Headphones Windows 11
How to set an app to use a different output device
Though the settings UI has changed a little since Windows 11, the volume mixer control where you can configure the volume and output/input device for different apps is easy to get to. Here’s how to set a specific app to use a different output device on Windows 11.
- Right-click on the volume icon from the taskbar corner, then select Volume Mixer.
- Under Apps, click on the app that you want change the output device for.
- Next, click on the “Output device” drop down menu and select a playback device of your choice you want to set for this app to use.
Suggested Guide: How to Use Both Speakers and Headphones in Windows 11
Repeat step 3 if you want to set multiple apps to use a different speaker, headphone or any audio device available on your PC.
Beside output device, you can also set a different input device for a specific app if you have multiple mics available on your PC.
Things to note:
An app will only show up on the list when it’s opened
Apps will only show up on the list of apps in the Volume Mixer settings only if they are currently opened and active. An app or software also need to have at least one item that produces sound to be shown on the list.
For example, a web browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge needs to have at least one tab that produces audio for the browser to show up on the list of apps in the volume mixer control. If you have YouTube or any other video, music or game webpage opened on a tab or window in your browser, it will show up on the list of apps.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that if the video or web app on the browser tab is muted, the browser won’t show up on the list of apps as well.
Windows will remember the output device set for each app
Windows 11 will remember the output device you’ve set for the app via volume mixer. If you close the app and reopen it, you don’t have to worry about setting the output device again for the app as Windows will automatically assign the output device that you’ve set for the app last time.
However, this doesn’t apply to the volume set for the apps. The volume set for each individual app will be reset back to its default upon closing of the app.
What is the default output device?
The default output device is the device you’ve set as default on Windows 11. You can change the default output device in the same settings page (volume mixer) – the “Output device” option under “System“, which is the general output device to be used as default for the entire Windows system.
An example of how this work:
Here’s an example to help you understand how it works: I want Chrome to use my headphone and the rest of the apps to use my default speaker.
In the volume mixer control, I would click on Chrome and select my headphone as its output device, and leave the output devices for all other apps as “Default“. Also, make sure the output device under “System” is set to the speaker or any audio device that you want to use as your default playback device in Windows 11.
If you have issue about an audio device not being detected by Windows 11 nor listed on the available output devices, you may have a driver or hardware issue. You may want to try: How to install or update driver for speaker, network adapter, or other hardware on Windows 11.
When it comes to sound output in Windows 11, you can choose from different options. You can choose to hear the sound coming from the headsets, speakers, or other connected devices. But what if you want to change the output?
The good news is that you can change that, and there is more than one way you can access the option. That way you can choose whichever one is easier for you. Don’t forget to make sure that the devices you’re going to use are connected to your Windows 11 computer.
Contents
- 1 How to Change the Sound Output Device in Windows 11
- 1.1 Change the Output Device Using Sound Mixer
- 1.2 Quick Settings Panel
- 1.3 Sound Control Panel
- 1.4 Conclusion
How to Change the Sound Output Device in Windows 11
To change the sound output in Windows 11, right-click on the speaker icon and choose the Sound Settings option. Or, you can also open Settings using your preferred method and then go to System, followed by the Sound option. Once you’re in sound, click on the Choose where to play sound option.
You’ll see all the devices your Windows 11 computer has detected in that option. Each option will have a circle you’ll need to click on to select it. That’s all there is to it. If you ever want to choose another device, simply follow these steps and choose the other device.
Change the Output Device Using Sound Mixer
To change the output device using the volume mixer, click on the volume icon, followed by the Open volume mixer option.
Once you’re in Volume mixer, click on the dropdown menu for the Output device option and choose your device.
Quick Settings Panel
To change the audio output on your Windows 11 computer using the Quick Settings Panel, you’ll need to click on the icons that consist of the Volume, Ethernet, and Battery icons located at the bottom right. When you see the panel click on the arrow to the right of the volume option.
Once you click on the arrow, you’ll see all the audio devices that are connected to your Windows 11 computer. Simply click on the one you want to hear the sound from, and you’re good to go.
Sound Control Panel
Press the Windows and R keys to change the sound output using the Sound Control Panel. When Run opens, type control mmsys.cpl sounds and click OK. When the Sound Control Panel opens, click on the Playback tab.
Right-click on the device you want to choose as the default one. Don’t forget to click Apply, followed by OK, to save your changes.
Conclusion
There are different ways you can change the audio output. You can use your computer’s settings, the sound mixer, and the settings panel. You can go with whichever option is easier for you. Which one do you think you’re going to use the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share the article with others on social media.
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Quick Links
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How to Select a Sound Output Device in Settings
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How to Select a Sound Output Device in the Taskbar
In Windows 11, if you need to switch between speakers, headphones, headsets, or other sound output devices, it’s easy to do thanks to Settings and a taskbar shortcut. We’ll show you two ways to do it.
How to Select a Sound Output Device in Settings
It’s easy to change speakers in Windows Settings. To do so, right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar. In the menu that pops up, select «Open Sound Settings.» (Alternately, you can press Windows+i to open Settings, then navigate to System > Sound.)
The Windows Settings app will open automatically to the «Sound» settings page. In the top section, labeled «Output,» find the menu labeled «Choose where to play a sound» and expand it if necessary by clicking it once.
Below that, you’ll see a list of all the audio output devices Windows 11 has detected. Click the circle button beside the device you’d like to use as your audio output.
That’s all it takes! Told you it was easy. Close Settings, and you’re good to go. You can change your audio output device back any time by repeating the steps above.
How to Select a Sound Output Device in the Taskbar
You can also quickly switch speakers from the Windows 11 taskbar. To do so, open the Quick Settings menu by clicking the hidden button around the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of the taskbar.
When the Quick Settings menu opens, click the sideways arrow (caret) beside the volume slider.
When you see a list of audio output devices, click the one you’d like to use.
When you’re done, click anywhere outside the Quick Settings menu to close it. You switch speakers at any time again by using the Quick Settings menu at any time. Happy listening!
- To change the sound output device on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Sound and choose the audio output under the “Change where to play sound” setting.
- You can also open “Quick Settings” and change the output device from the “Manage audio and devices” page.
UPDATED 12/12/2023: On Windows 11, you can connect multiple sound peripherals to the output connection on your computer, including speakers, headphones, headsets, and more. You can quickly change between these devices to output audio if you have more than one. Usually, this comes in handy to quickly switch from your speakers and headsets. You can do this through the “Settings” app or “Quick Settings” flyout through the Taskbar.
In this guide, I will teach you the easy steps to select the default audio device to output sound on Windows 11.
- Switch audio output on Windows 11 from Settings
- Switch audio output on Windows 11 from Taskbar
Switch audio output on Windows 11 from Settings
To change audio output device (such as speakers, headphones, or headsets) on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
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Click on System.
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Click the Sound tab.
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Under the “Output” section, select the speakers, headphones, or headsets to output sound in the “Choose where to play sound” setting.
Once you complete the steps, the sound will start playing on the set of speakers you selected by default.
Switch audio output on Windows 11 from Taskbar
To quickly switch the sound output device, use these steps:
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Click the Quick Settings (Windows key + A) button from the Taskbar’s System Tray.
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Click the “Manage audio and devices” button beside the volume slider.
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Choose the default audio output from the list of devices.
Quick tip: You can access this page even faster using the “Windows key + Ctrl + V” dedicated keyboard shortcut.
After you complete the steps, the system sound will output in the selected device.
Update December 12, 2023: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes with the process.
Mauro Huculak is a
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