Windows 10: Stop Windows 11 from switching to USB audio when plugged in.

This question has been asked numerous time and has not gotten a satisfactory answer to I will try again.I am a Ham operator and bought a USB audio device to use for communications. Every time I plug in my USB audio device, windows switches to using it as the default device and I have to go into settings and change it back.This is a minor inconvenience, but it is still a headache. I switched to Windows 11 from Linux and am surprised that Windows can't do this.I want to be able to set a USB audio device to always be a communication device and prevent it from automatically becoming the default a

:)

 

Rear audio ports always show as “Not plugged in”


I've been having this issue with Windows for about a week now which NONE of the back panel/front panel connectors (speakers, microphone) are being recognized by Realtek audio manager. The only audio input/outputs that are showing are the optical.
Troubling shooting steps I've tried (none worked):

• COMPLETELY uninstall all Realtek drivers/reinstall
  
• Tried using windows drivers
  
• Reinstall Windows 10
  
• Upgraded chipset driver
  
• sfc /scannow

I called EVGA and asked for RMA but then I booted into a Ubuntu OS and all the ports work FINE. It must be a problem with windows 10.
Can you think of any other troubling shooting step I can try to fix this annoying issue? Thanks!
Screenshot of playback devices:



Screenshot of Realtek HD Audio Manager:



After looking in Device Manager under Audio inputs and outputs, I don't see any speaker/microphone listings, only the optical crap:

 

Sennheiser GSP 350. Microphone stops working when I open any game

Wow, ok. I think I've fixed it by accident while fiddling around.

It appears to be the Realtek audio being the issue here. I don't use my onboard sound card as my headset is a USB headset only and my speakers are plugged into an ASUS sound card.

Step by step fix:

• I went into recording devices
• I enabled STEREO MIX (Realtek High Definition Audio)
• Then I set that Stereo Mix as the DEFAULT DEVICE (At this point it took over both input and output devices without my permission )
• Then set my Sennheiser headset as default recording and playback devices in their respective windows even though they both still said they were the default devices when they weren't

Headset microphone is currently functioning while in game now. I'll update the thread if it goes again. Should I completely disable Realtek audio??? Or will windows just force it to work again?

 

Have windows 10, and suddenly my audio stopped

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

As the above description is not clear, do let us know the following to assist you better with this issue:

• What is the exactly issue you are facing with audio and how exactly are you trying to access it?
• What exactly do you mean by: Have windows 10, and suddenly my audio stopped?
• Have you made any changes to the operating system, prior to this issue?

I suggest you to install all the pending updates and audio drivers and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to update the audio drivers from Device Manager and check.

Steps:

• 
  Right click on the Start
  button from the desktop and select Device Manager.
  
• 
  Expand Audio inputs and outputs, right click on
  High Definition Audio Device and click on Update driver software.
  
• 
  Also, try to search for the drivers with the help of model number of your computer from the Manufacturer’s website and install them.
  

Step 2: I suggest you to install all the pending updates after upgrade to Windows 10.

• Connect to the internet.
• Press Windows key and type
  updates.
• Click on Check for updates.
• Under Windows Updates, click on
  Check for updates.
• Try to install the updates being shown.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of this issue and required information, we will be happy to help you accordingly.