Windows 10: Windows 10 1803/1809 reduces volume to audio device only when the source is from a browser

I have this issue with my current device (HP Zbook G5), where the problem is present in both Windows 10 1803 and 1809 (haven't tested with older builds).

The issue is that somehow the volume level is reduced to the output audio device somewhere in between the application output and the device output. The issue is only present when the video/audio is played in a browser.

You can see this difference visually in the volume mixer and you can also hear the difference.

I took some screenshots with different setups (i've put descriptions of each case in the album) to showcase the issue: https://imgur.com/a/TUzXiEm

Weirdly enough the results vary:

-Standalone video player = 1:1 volume level (that's how it should be)

-Firefox/Edge youtube player = Full volume output at the browser but reduced volume level to the device

-Chrome youtube player = Reduced volume output at the browser which matches 1:1 volume level to the device

-Different audio devices yield the same issue, so it seems to be a software issue.

All enhancements/settings have been disabled, and all volume levels set to max. Communications audio reduction disabled as well.

I should/can test another PC to see if it specific to this hardware but since we have the Chrome - Firefox/Edge difference in behavior could ensure that this is a software issue.

:)

 

Audio sources default / startup volume


The audio is integrated on my Asus M5A99FX Pro R2.0 motherboard and is listed as Realtek ALC 892 8-channel high definition audio CODEC. The problem occurs randomly, but I think I sometimes see a correlation with opening a new browser tab. I run both Firefox and Chrome concurrently, and both are up-to-date. The last time it seemed to have occurred with opening a new tab in Firefox, but as I said, it often happens randomly. Event viewer is not logging any Firefox or Chrome errors.

From the crash information I posted above, it appears that it is a Windows fault rather than an application as suggested by the error fault information, which is why I'm looking for a possible work around. Event viewer show the earliest error occurred on 4/14/2017 and was uploaded via error reporting to Microsoft. I was hoping to find a way to keep the affected input channels from coming back on to the (loud!) speaker level I use for other other audio input sources. The volume mixer's channels come back on to the speaker level setting, not to the top end of the channel's volume slider. Not all slider volumes are affected when this happens. The line in channel always does it, but system sounds and email (Thunderbird) channels are usually not affected.

 

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?

 

Windows 10- 64 - Realtek audio - Verizon Messenger app (from app store) sounds are reducing my system/music volume.

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

The volume of the audio might reduce automatically, if Loudness Equalization is enabled in audio enhancements.

Since when are you facing this issue?

I suggest you to follow the methods mentioned below and check if that helps:

Method 1:
Disable the Loudness Equalization from audio enhancements settings.

1. Right-click on the volume icon on the taskbar.
2. Select Sounds option from the list.
3. Click on the Playback tab.
4. Now right-click on the Speakers and select Properties from the list.
5. Click on the Enhancements tab.
6. Uncheck Loudness Equalization option.

Method 2: If you still face the issue, we can try running the
Audio Troubleshooter. Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Tap on 'Windows + I' on the keyboard.
2. Click on 'Update & Security' option.
3. Select 'Troubleshoot' option.
4. Now click on the 'Playing Audio' from the list and 'Run the troubleshooter'.

Hope it helps.

Sandeep Kumar M

Microsoft Community – Moderator