Adjust Sound Settings Windows 11: Full Guide

To adjust sound settings in Windows 11, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Sound settings, or go to Settings > System > Sound. From there you can change the output device, volume, input device, and access per-app audio controls. This guide covers every sound-related setting in Windows 11, including how to fix common audio problems.

Opening the Sound Settings Page

There are three main ways to reach the sound settings in Windows 11:

Quick settings: Click the speaker icon in the taskbar, then click the chevron (▸) next to the volume slider to see a list of output and input devices. Click any device to switch to it instantly.
Settings app: Press Win + I, then go to System > Sound. This is the full page with all options.
Control Panel (legacy): Open Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound > Sound. This opens the older dialog with Playback, Recording, Sounds, and Communications tabs. It still works in Windows 11 and offers a few options not in the new Settings page (like the “Communications” tab).

Choosing the Right Output Device

Under Output in the Sound settings, you’ll see a dropdown labeled Choose where to play sound. This lists every audio endpoint Windows detects: speakers, headphones, USB headsets, HDMI displays, and Bluetooth devices. Select the one you want to use. If you plug in headphones and Windows doesn’t switch automatically, check this dropdown first.

For each output device, you can click the chevron next to it to access:

Volume: A per-device volume slider that works independently of the master volume.
Balance: Left/right channel sliders. Useful if one speaker is quieter than the other.
Enhancements: Toggle audio enhancements (bass boost, virtual surround, etc.) on or off. If you experience crackling or distorted sound, disabling enhancements often fixes it.
Spatial audio: Choose Windows Sonic for Headphones, Dolby Atmos, or DTS Headphone:X (if installed). Windows Sonic is free and works with any stereo headphones.

Adjusting Volume and Per-App Audio

Windows 11 lets you control the volume of individual apps separately from the system volume. In the Sound settings page, scroll down to Advanced volume options and click Volume mixer. You’ll see a list of all apps currently playing audio (or that have recently played audio), each with its own slider. This is handy when, for example, a game is too loud relative to a music player.

The master volume slider in the taskbar controls the overall level, but it doesn’t change the relative balance between apps. The volume mixer is also where you can mute a single app without muting everything else.

Setting Up Microphones and Input Devices

Under Input, you can choose your microphone from the Choose your input device dropdown. Click the chevron next to a mic to:

Test the mic (a live volume bar shows how loud it picks up).
Set the input volume and balance.
Enable or disable Microphone boost if the mic is too quiet.
Turn on Noise suppression and Acoustic echo cancellation (available on many built-in mics).

If you have multiple mics (e.g., a webcam mic and a headset mic), select the correct one here. Windows remembers the choice per device, so unplugging and re-plugging a headset should restore the right mic.

Fixing Common Sound Problems

When audio stops working, the issue is usually one of the following:

Wrong output device: Check the Quick settings speaker icon. If it shows a different device than the one you’re using, click and select the correct one.
App-specific mute: Open the Volume mixer and make sure the app isn’t muted or set to zero.
Enhancements causing distortion: On the output device’s properties, turn off audio enhancements and test again.
Driver issues: In Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and choose Update driver. If that doesn’t help, right-click and Uninstall device, then restart the PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
Audio services stopped: Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Windows Audio, and make sure it’s running. If not, right-click and Start.

If you still have no sound, run the built-in troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Audio > Run. It will scan for common problems and suggest fixes.

Advanced Sound Options and Effects

Windows 11 includes a few advanced settings that are easy to miss:

Loudness equalization: Under the device’s Enhancements tab in the legacy Control Panel sound dialog, this evens out volume differences between quiet and loud parts of audio. It’s useful for movies but can make music sound flat.
Format: In the device properties, the Advanced tab lets you set the default sample rate (e.g., 24-bit/48000 Hz). Unless you have high-end audio gear, the default is fine. Setting it too high can cause glitches.
Spatial sound: Available in the new Settings page under the device properties. Windows Sonic for Headphones is free and simulates surround sound for any stereo headphones.
Communications activity: In the legacy Control Panel, the Communications tab lets you choose whether Windows lowers other sounds when you’re on a call. Options are Mute, Reduce by 80%, Reduce by 50%, or Do nothing.

Comparing Windows 11 to Windows 10 Sound Settings

The core functionality is the same, but the layout changed. Windows 10 had a single Sound control panel with tabs. Windows 11 moved most options into the Settings app, making them easier to find but hiding some advanced features. The legacy Control Panel dialog still exists in Windows 11, so you can access the old tabs if you prefer. The main difference: in Windows 11, per-app volume is now a separate “Volume mixer” page instead of a popup window, and spatial audio options are more prominently placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default sound device in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > System > Sound. Under Output, click the dropdown for Choose where to play sound and select your desired device. Windows will use that device as the default until you change it or unplug it.

Why is my sound not working after a Windows 11 update?

Updates can reset your audio driver or change the default device. First, check the output device in Quick settings. Then update the audio driver via Device Manager. If that fails, run the audio troubleshooter. In most cases, reinstalling the driver fixes it.

How do I increase microphone volume in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > System > Sound > Input, click the chevron next to your microphone, and raise the Input volume slider. If it’s already at 100, enable Microphone boost (usually +10 to +30 dB).

How do I stop Windows 11 from lowering sound during calls?

Open the legacy Control Panel sound dialog (Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound). Go to the Communications tab and select Do nothing. This prevents Windows from ducking other audio when it detects a call.

Where is the volume mixer in Windows 11?

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open volume mixer, or go to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced volume options > Volume mixer. It shows sliders for each app that has played audio.

How do I enable spatial sound for headphones?

In Settings > System > Sound, click the chevron next to your output device, then under Spatial audio choose Windows Sonic for Headphones from the dropdown. You don’t need special hardware; any stereo headphones work.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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