Windows 10: How do I set a different default volume per audio device on Windows 11?

So on Windows 10 I could have my laptop speakers permanently muted, and sound would only play when my bluetooth headset was connected.I can't figure out how to do that in Windows 11. In System -> Sound I can set the Speakers default as 'mute' and the Headphones default as 'not mute'. This works while my headphone are still connected. But if I disconnect and reconnect the bluetooth device then it inherits the mute default.If I don't set the Speakers default to mute or I ever unmute from the keyboard . . . then I subject my coworkers to sea shanties if I go to the end of the aisle. They

:)

 

Set new audio device default for volume mixer in Windows 10

I use two audio devices:

• Default (audio) device "Realtec Digital Output (Optical)"
  
• Default communication device "Lautsprecher (Speaker)"
  

My goal:
I want to have the default audio volume on my default communication device, instead of the default device - at all times.

What I tried so far:
Changing the volume mixer to my communication device explicitly works temporary, but as soon as I close the settings window, the default audio volume is reset again to the default audio device.

Step 1: Clicking on volume shows me the default device:





Step 2: Changing the volume mixer to my communication device manually:









Step 3: Clicking again on volume does not keep the change





How can I make it permanent that windows uses my communication device for default volume control?

 

Permanently set default audio device

Hi Joost,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you need assistance to set your internal sound card as the default playback device on your Windows 10 computer.

In this scenario it is required to disable the audio device of the docking station. Disabling the audio device for the docking station will enable the internal sound card. To do so,

1. Right click on Volume icon on the taskbar > Open
   Sound settings.
   
2. Click on Sound control panel option and click on
   Playback tab.
   
3. Right click on the audio device for docking station and click on
   Disable.
   
4. This results in enabling the playback device to internal sound card.
   

If the issue still persists, I suggest you to post your query in
IT TechNet forums, since the settings which needs to
be implemented on domain environment. We have dedicated team of experts who are equipped with the resources to suggest you with the further steps.

Regards,

Muralidhar

Microsoft Community Moderator

 

Unable to access audio from speakers and headphones by setting the devices as a default on Windows 10

Hi Mitch,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being part of Windows 10.

I understand your concern about accessing audio from headphones, speaker on your device. We will help you with this issue.

Do let us know if you have installed all the pending updates for drivers on your device?

This issue might have occurred due to corrupted drivers/ settings to access Default device.

Try the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Hardware and Devices troubleshooter checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device
  options from the list.
• Click Next to run the
  Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

Step 2: I suggest you to connect the headphones, set the device as a default device and check if it helps

Follow the steps:

• Right click on the sound icon at the bottom right corner of the
  Taskbar.
• Click on Playback devices.
• Check if you are able to find the icon headphone in the list of connected playback devices.
• If yes, click on the icon and then click on Set default
  option.
• Click on Apply and then on OK.

Step 3: I suggest you to find the audio drivers from Device Manager, update them and check if it helps.

Press Windows + X keys from the keyboard, click on Device Manager, right click on the audio drivers and click on
Update driver software.

For better assistance refer: Fix sound problems

Hope it helps. Try the above and reply to the post with an updated status of this issue, we will be happy to help you further.