How to Change Volume of Different Apps in Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you control the volume of each open app independently, so you can keep a game loud while muting a chat program or lower a music player without affecting system sounds. This guide shows you how to use the built-in Volume Mixer to adjust per-app levels, plus tips and fixes for when it doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 11 (any recent version)
• The apps you want to adjust must be currently running and producing (or able to produce) sound
• Administrator rights are not required for basic volume changes

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Volume Mixer. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar). From the menu, select Open Volume mixer. A small window appears listing all apps that are currently playing audio or have recently done so.
2. Identify the app you want to change. Each app has its own slider and speaker icon. If an app is not listed, it’s either not running or not producing any sound at the moment. Play something in that app (like a video or a notification sound) to make it appear.
3. Adjust the slider. Drag the slider up or down for that specific app. The change takes effect immediately. You can also click the speaker icon below the slider to mute or unmute just that app. The system volume slider at the top controls all sounds globally.
4. Close the Volume Mixer. Once you’ve set your levels, you can close the window. Your settings are saved automatically and will apply until you change them again or restart the app.
5. Quickly mute a single app. If you just want to mute one app quickly, you can also do it from the taskbar: hover over the app’s icon, right-click, and choose Volume mixer (this opens the same window). Some apps also have a mute button in their own interface, but the Volume Mixer is the only place to control all apps from one spot.

Common Mistakes

• Adjusting the wrong slider. The top slider is the system volume, not the app volume. Make sure you’re dragging the slider under the app’s name.
• Expecting apps to appear when they’re not playing. Apps that are open but silent may not show up in the mixer. Play a sound in that app first.
• Forgetting that settings reset after restart. Volume Mixer levels are not permanent per app across reboots. After you restart your PC, apps will go back to the system default volume. There’s no built-in way to lock per-app levels permanently.
• Using the keyboard volume keys. Those keys change the system volume, not the selected app’s volume. They do not affect the per-app sliders.

Tips

• Use the keyboard shortcut to open the mixer faster: Press Win + Ctrl + V to open the Volume Mixer directly (this works in Windows 11).
• Mute notifications separately. You can mute the system sounds (like notification pings) without muting your music by lowering the “System sounds” slider in the mixer.
• Check per-app output devices. In the Volume Mixer, you can also change which output device (speakers, headphones) an app uses by clicking the device name at the top of the app’s section and selecting a different one.
• Use the Sound settings for more control. Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer to see the same controls plus options for each app’s output device and volume.

Troubleshooting

• The Volume Mixer shows no apps. This usually means no app is currently playing audio. Open a music or video app and press play, then check the mixer again.
• An app’s slider is grayed out. That app may be using exclusive mode (a setting some games and media players use to take full control of audio). Close the app and reopen it, or check the app’s audio settings for an “exclusive mode” option and disable it.
• Changes don’t stick. As mentioned, the mixer resets per app after a restart. If you need a permanent solution, you can use third-party tools (like EarTrumpet from the Microsoft Store) that offer more persistent per-app volume control, but the built-in mixer is fine for temporary adjustments.
• The Volume Mixer won’t open. Right-click the speaker icon and select Sound settings instead, then scroll down to Volume mixer. If that fails, restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager (right-click the taskbar, choose Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click and restart).
• Volume changes are not heard. Check that the app’s own volume isn’t muted (many apps have an internal mute button). Also verify the correct output device is selected for that app in the mixer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different volumes for the same app on different monitors?

No, the Volume Mixer only controls the overall volume per app, not per monitor. You can set different output devices per app, but not different volumes on two monitors connected to the same device.

Why does my game sound quieter than other apps even when the slider is maxed?

Some games have their own internal volume settings that are independent of Windows. Check the game’s audio options. Also, the game may be using a different output device (like a virtual surround device) with its own volume level.

Can I change the volume of an app that is not currently open?

No, the Volume Mixer only shows apps that are running and have loaded their audio. If the app isn’t open, it won’t appear in the list. You can only adjust its volume after launching it.

Will the Volume Mixer affect the volume of background apps like Spotify?

Yes, the Volume Mixer shows all apps that are currently producing sound, including background apps like Spotify or a web browser playing music. You can lower or mute them independently.

How do I reset all app volumes to default?

There’s no one-click reset in Windows 11. You can manually drag each slider back to the top (100%) or restart your PC, which will reset all app-specific volumes to the system default.

Does the Volume Mixer work for apps that use exclusive audio mode?

Usually not. Apps that enable exclusive mode bypass the mixer, so their slider may be grayed out or have no effect. Disable exclusive mode in the app’s settings or in the Sound control panel (under the device’s Advanced tab) to regain control.

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