How to Enable or Disable Flash Screen during Audio Notifications in Windows 11
The flash screen in Windows 11 flashes your computer screen when an audio notification plays. This feature helps you see alerts even if you can’t hear them.
Windows 11’s Sound Sentry tool controls this visual alert. You can set it to flash your active window, an application’s title bar, or the whole screen.
You find this setting in the Windows 11 Settings app under Accessibility, then Audio. It’s a simple way to manage how you get sound alerts visually.
Configure the Sound Sentry feature in Windows 11 Accessibility settings. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Audio and select your desired visual notification option from the “Flash my screen” dropdown. This allows you to flash the active window, title bar, or entire screen.
Turn On or Off Flash Screen in Settings
Turning Flash Screen Notifications on or off in Windows 11 is a process managed using the Settings app. This feature makes your screen flash when you get an audio alert, which is helpful if you sometimes miss sounds. It’s an accessibility option that’s adjustable within Windows Settings.- Open Settings by pressing ⊞ Win+I.
- Click on Accessibility on the left side.
- Click on AudioHearing on the right side.
- Find the Flash my screen during audio notifications dropdown menu.
- Choose one of these options:
- Never (default)
- Flash the title bar of the active window
- Flash the active window
- Flash the entire screen
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two Open Audio settings
Turn On or Off Flash Screen in Control Panel
- Open Control Panel and click on the Ease of Access Center icon.
- Click on Use text or visual alternatives for sounds.
- Follow the steps below for what you want to do.
Turn On Visual Notifications for Sounds
- Check the box next to Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry).
- Select what you want under Choose visual warning:
- None
- Flash active caption bar
- Flash active window
- Flash desktop
- Click OK.
Turn Off Visual Notifications for Sounds
This is the default setting.
- Uncheck the box next to Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry).
- Click OK.
- You can now close Control Panel.
Option Three
Turn On or Off Flash Screen Using Registry
⚠️ Admin Required: Administrator privileges are needed to edit the registry.
Never Flash My Screen (Default)
This is the default setting.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 2 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 0 /fFlash the Title Bar of the Active Window
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 1 /fFlash the Active Window
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 2 /fFlash the Entire Screen
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v Flags /t REG_SZ /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Accessibility\SoundSentry" /v WindowsEffect /t REG_SZ /d 3 /fSummary
Windows 11 provides a way to turn audio notifications into visual flashes on your screen. You can choose to flash the title bar, the active window, or the entire screen, and setting this up is done through Settings.
What is flashing my screen during audio notifications?
When notifications or alarms sound, your device can flash its camera light or the screen if the “Flash notifications” feature is enabled. To configure this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Flash notifications and toggle the switch on or off.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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