Windows 10: Grey indicator in window's volume mixer is exceeding above limit

Greetings!As the title says, the grey indicator in the volume mixer is exceeding way beyond my set limit see attached picture below. Is this normal? I supposed not, as I checked my brother's device. My problem is this - audio output is leaking into my microphone, and I am suspecting it's because of the grey indicator hitting max. I experienced this first around June 2023 same situation: audio is leaking into my mic, and I resolved it through disabling all sound effects, which was suggested when i did a troubleshoot.However, it is back once again. Of course, my initial solution was to solve

:)

 

Windows Volume Mixer - grey volume indicators - Mean what?

If you play music on the Windows Media Player with the Volume Mixer open, you will see volume indicators for the speakers, system sounds, and utility playing the music. All three have a green volume indicator with an extended grey indicator.

Since the grey indicator does not appear to represent an overdriven condition, as you might expect, what does it actually show?

I am wondering, because when the grey level gets to max, the audio volume appears to change accordingly, possibly some restriction.

Windows Media player seems to be the worst offender with lower volume levels needing to be set. The Grey level will hit max with the slider at 25%.

What is interesting, iTunes does not have the grey level indicator and its volume level is consistent with the system's volume level. Same external speakers. I will get a grey indicator with iTunes if I lower the volume to the 25% mark but it wll not exceed
the position of the volume slider.

Different file types have been tried. This system does not have a DVD player so I can't play directly from there.

Thanks..

System is new Dell Inspiron 17 7779 2-in-1

Realtek audio with latest drivers.

System works normally except for unwanted changes in audio at higher levels.

 

volume mixer in taskbar in WIndows 10

Hi Caroline,



The requirement of pinning Volume mixer to the taskbar is currently not available in Windows 10. However, you can view Volume mixer from the volume control icon located in the system tray.



Before we assist further, I would like to ask you a few questions:

• 
  Are you not able to see volume icon or the volume mixer on the computer?
  
• 
  If volume icon, have you enabled the option to show in the system tray?
  

If you want to view Volume mixer on the PC and have enabled volume icon on the system tray, follow the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• 
  Right click on the volume icon and select
  Open Volume Mixer from the context menu.
  
• 
  Check if the window is accessible on the computer.
  

Note: The option to pin Volume mixer to the taskbar is not currently available on the computer.



Write to us with the status of pinning Volume mixer on taskbar in the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Windows Volume Mixer - grey volume indicators - Mean what?

Hi,

The grey bar tells you the volume of the audio that Windows Media Player (and other media application) is outputting. It is what level the green bar would be if you set the volume to maximum.

If both the green volume indicator and the grey bar are set to 100%, and are not reaching the maximum HEIGHT, it means that the application is not transferring the audio at maximum volume. A lot of the applications nowadays have their own volume-controller.
Most of the times it's on purpose to prevent audio-peaking or clipping.

Let us know if you need further assistance.