Windows 10: Playback device changes spontaneously to one of my monitors

I am using a docking station (Lenovo ThinkPad Ultra Dock 90W Portreplikator) which I plug my headphone to.


If I select the Speaker/HP playback device in the volume control widget, the sound will play in my headphone.


However, sometimes when I have started up windows fresh (docked the computer to another docking station in between), the playback device will be changed to one my DELL monitors.


Why?

:)

 

How To Change Monitor Audio To Motherboard Audio

Hi Saurav,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

In order to get clarity on this issue and assist you with appropriate troubleshooting steps, please reply with the answers to the questions below.

1. Do you want to use your external speakers for the audio instead of the monitor speakers?
2. Are you hearing the audio both from your external speakers and the monitor speakers?

Meanwhile, you may try the below steps to change the playback device and check if this helps.

1. Select on the Start button > Type Sound in the search box > Select
   Sound from the list of results.
2. Go to Playback tab > Select your Sound System Device that you want to hear the audio from > Then click on
   Set Default.
3. Restart the computer once and check if this helps.

We're looking forward to your response.

 

Computer Won't Auto Change the Playback Device When Headphones Plugged In/Out

Hi Michael,

I understand your concern and will be happy to assist you.

Is the issue specific to only Headphones/ Does External Speaker play when plugged in?

I suggest you to try resetting the default device as shown in the steps given below and check if the issue persists.

• 
  Plug in the Headphones in the machine.
  
• 
  Go to Start and Control Panel.
  
• 
  Select 'Hardware and Sound'.
  
• 
  Click 'Change system sounds'.
  
• 
  Click 'Playback' tab. (It should then show you your headphones in the list).
  
• 
  Select your proper Headphone device from the list, then Click 'Set Default'.
  
• 
  Now unplug your Headphones and select speakers from the list, then Click 'Set Default'.
  

Hope it helps. Please reply for further queries on this.

 

Listen to Microphone through a Playback Device in Windows  

How to Listen to Microphone through a Playback Device in Windows


If you like, you can listen to your microphone through a selected playback device such as your computer speakers or headphone.

You can also listen to a portable music player or other device connected to the microphone jack through a selected playback device such as your computer speakers or headphone.

This tutorial will show you how to listen to microphone through a playback device such as speakers or headphone in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

*note If you listen to a connected microphone through speakers, you may hear feedback.



Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sound icon.

*note If you like, you can open Run (Win+R), copy and paste the command below into Run, and click/tap on OK to directly open to the "Recording" tab in the Sound panel.

*Arrow rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,1

2. Click/tap on the Recording tab, and double click/tap on your default microphone device. (see screenshot below)



3. Do step 4 (on) or step 5 (off) below for what you want to do.


4. Turn On Listen to Microphone through a Playback Device
A) Click/tap on the Listen tab. (see screenshot below)

B) Check the Listen to this device box.

C) Under Playback through this device, select the playback device you want to listen through.

D) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below.





5. Turn Off Listen to Microphone through a Playback Device
*note This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Listen tab. (see screenshot below)

B) Uncheck the Listen to this device box.

C) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below.




6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Enable or Disable the Microphone in Windows
• How to Allow or Deny OS and Apps Access to Microphone in Windows 10
• How to Change Default Sound Output Device in Windows 10