Windows 10: Windows 10 1903 Line In or Mic set to "Listen to this device" won't switch with "Default...

Hi,


There is a bug that was introduced a year ago evidence of this here,here, and here. The issue can be reproduced with the following steps:


1. Connect 2 audio output devices

2. Connect an audio input device through a "Line In" or "Mic" port

3. For the audio input device enable "Listen to this device"

4. Ensure that the "Playback through this device" setting is set to "Default playback device"


You should now be able to hear the audio input device through the default audio output device.


5. Set the default output device to the other audio output device


All windows audio will now play for the new default playback device, except for audio input, which will still be output to the original playback device, even though the setting says it should output to the "default playback device"


If you follow the steps above exactly the issue should be easily reproduced. There are a few inconsistencies though. For example, let's say I am listening to the audio input device through speakers and then I connect wired headphones, then from my testing the audio input device will switch correctly. However if I connect bluetooth headphones, it won't switch properly. I made sure the headphones had priority over speakers in becoming the default playback device in both cases. Regardless of whether the headphones are wired or bluetooth, if they are both already connected and you switch the default device in the settings, then the input audio device won't respect the new setting.


It's been a year since this bug has been introduced and there has been no fix despite a Microsoft agent claiming the bug will be reported to the engineering team. When is this going to get fixed? It's extremely annoying to have to open the settings and manually disable and re-enable the input device so it picks the correct playback device.

:)

 

Windows 10 1903 - Audio Line-In won't switch with Default Audio Device

Since upgrading to 1903, my two line-in audio signals won't change whenever I switch the default playback device.

This is my setup:

• Windows 10 Pro 1903 System Build 18362.418
• Realtek ALC1220 onboard audio chipset
• two playback devices (speakers & headphones)
• two line-in devices (front mic used as line-in and back line-in for video game console and second pc audio)
• one usb audio soundcard with only microphone line-in used

Both line-in devices ignore any change to the default playback device up until reboot, whether I do this via script or manually. All other sound is forwarded to the correct audio device, as intended. I've tried three different audio drivers. I've also tested
the usb audio soundcard line-in and it's the same result, even though it's a completely different sound device. This is why I'm absolutely certain that this is a Windows issue and not related to drivers. My research led me to this user, who had the exact same
issue with the creators update in 2016. Sadly, without any solution for the issue:

Windows 10: Line-in audio no longer honors the default device update anniversary update

These Reddit users have from the same problem, aswell:

Line-in audio will not follow default playback device on 1903 : Windows10

 

Windows 10 1903 - Audio Line-In won't switch with Default Audio Device

Thank you for answering.

The in-line audio does indeed switch to the alternate device when I unplug my speakers. The audio signal stays there even when I reconnect the speakers. Upon doing so and then unplugging my headphones, the in-line audio is completely gone until re-check
the line-in as "listen to device".

It's a self-assembled Mini-ATX system. The motherboard is a
MSI Z370I Gaming Pro Carbon. The USB Audio adapter is a
Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter. This one I only use for the microphone in.

To further elaborate on my setup:

https://i.imgur.com/DbELYmT.jpg

Back Panel:

• Line-in (black)(Audio from a second PC)
• Speakers in the designated speaker out (red)

Front Panel:

• Headphones in the designated headphone jack (green)
• Line-in (pink)(Audio from a PS4 console)

• USB audio adapter with microphone plugged in (not shown)

Windows sound control panel: https://i.imgur.com/KaQNq0b.jpg

Sorry for the language barrier, my OS is german.

Setting up the USB adapter microphone jack as a line-in like I did with the front panel microphone jack and/or plugging my headphones into the USB adapter has the same result, which again, is why I think that this is a Windows bug and not driver related,
as these are effectively two separate sound systems with independent drivers. As I've said, my setup worked perfectly fine until the upgrade from 1806 to 1903, which further cements my believe.

On a curious note: For some reason, setting up the line-ins as "listen to device" results in Windows treating them as "apps".
Switching beween output or input devices here does exactly nothing. Volume adjustments work, though.

I've already tried various combinations of drivers and arrangements. Exclusive mode makes no difference whatsoever. Whether I use one or two line-ins, front or back panel, makes no difference.
The only way to direct the line-in audio to the correct output device in an active session is by
manually switching between playback devicesin the sound control panel, which of course I have to do for both line-ins
whenever I want to alternate between speakers and headphones. Very annoying.

 

Windows 10 1903 - Audio Line-In won't switch with Default Audio Device

Hi monotony,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

I understand that switching default playback device does not take effect on the output device until you restart. I appreciate the effort you have taken and the information that you have provided. It seems that you have performed most of the troubleshooting
steps.

We would like to know,

1) What happens if you unplug the device that out the sound? Does the playback automatically switch to alternate device?

2) What is the make and model of your computer?

Meanwhile, we can try toggle few settings and check.

• Right click on Volume icon in Taskbar and click on Sounds.
• Right click on Playback device and select Properties.
• Go to Advanced tab and under Exclusive mode, uncheck
• Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
• Give exclusive mode application priority.
• Click on OK.

Check if it makes any difference.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Vivian S