Windows 10: Sound settings - default communication device question

I have multiple audio devices connected to my computer - integrated sound card, HDMI monitors, a USB music recording interface, and USB gaming headset.


I have monitoring speakers connected to the music interface Steinberg CI2 and use that as my default audio device, while I have the gaming headset set as my default communication device see screenshot at bottom of this post. I'm curious as to what being the default communication device actually does. As I have a few communication apps that don't seem to respect these settings.


I use Mitel Communicator to log into my office phone number when I'm working remotely. This app has it's own settings for speakers and headset where I can designate any connected audio device as "speakers" or "headset" and then toggle between the speakers/headset within the software to choose the audio output.


I also use the Your Phone app included in Windows 10 to connect to my Android phone. I have found that this app only uses the input and output as selected from the Sound settings for Windows 10. If I use the quick volume settings from speaker icon in the task tray to switch the output device, it also switches which device the caller's voice is playing through.


Is setting the default communication device from the sound control panel an obsolete setting from previous versions of Windows, or are there still apps that make use of this setting?





Steinberg CI2 is set as the default device while my gaming headset USB Advanced Audio Device is set as the default communication device.



:)

 

Voice chat audio no longer comes through Default communication device (mic works fine)

Hi Samuel,

A factor why you're voice chat sounds goes through your speakers as well is due to configuration settings. We suggest that you configure playback devices. Follow the steps below:

• Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >
  Sound.
• Left-click on Speakers > Click on Set as Default Device.
• Left-click on Headphones > Select Set as Default Communication Device.
• Click OK.

If the issue still occurs, contact your device manufacturer's support for assistance on configuring your device.

Let us know what happens after following the suggested troubleshooting steps.

 

Default communication device on Windows 10

Hello all,

The installation of my wavecyclic audio driver on Win 10 makes it the default communication device. This behavior is observed only on win 10, but not on win 8 or 7. Nothing specific is being done on our installer/driver to set it as default communication device. Any suggestions on why this is happening and on how to not make our driver become default communication device? I appreciate your help.

 

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