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How to Enable or Disable Spatial Sound in Windows 11

Written by

Richard

Mar 29, 2026 Updated Jun 19, 2026 4 min read

How to Enable or Disable Spatial Sound in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Spatial Sound in Windows 11.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Settings, navigate to System > Sound, select your output device, and choose Off or Windows Sonic for Headphones from the Spatial audio menu. Alternatively, use the Control Panel’s Sound settings or the Quick Settings Volume Mixer.

What is Spatial Sound?

Spatial sound in Windows 11 creates a 3D virtual soundscape, making audio feel like it’s coming from all around you, not just in front. This technology enhances immersion for music, movies, and games by placing sounds in a virtual space above and around you.

Spatial sound provides a more immersive audio experience for music, movies, and games. This audio technology creates a more realistic sound environment around the listener.

Reference:

Spatial Sound for app developers for Windows, Xbox, and Hololens 2 – Win32 apps – Developer guidance for Microsoft Spatial Sound, Microsoft’s platform-level solution for spatial sound on Xbox, Windows and HoloLens 2, enabling both surround & elevation audio cues.

The spatial sound tooltip on the volume icon is available starting with Windows 11 build 22598. Starting with Windows 11 build 25231, when you move your mouse over the sound icon on Quick Settings, the tooltip will now display when spatial audio is in use – not just that it is enabled.

Option 1Enable or Disable Spatial Sound in Settings

Open Settings (⊞ Win+I).
Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Sound on the right side. (see screenshot below)

You can turn spatial sound on or off in Windows 11 using the Settings app by going to System, then Sound, and selecting your audio device. This method lets you quickly adjust the spatial sound setting for your chosen output device directly within the main Windows settings.

Windows Sound tile in Windows Settings app

Under Output devices, click/tap on the sound device (ex: “Digital Audio (S/PDIF)”) you want to enable or disable spatial sound for. (see screenshot below)

Windows 11 Sound settings showing output device selection options

In the Spatial audio drop menu, select Off (disable – default) or Windows Sonic for Headphones (enable) for what you want. (see screenshot below)

When a user turns on the mono audio setting in Windows 11, the spatial sound option becomes unavailable. This action grays out the spatial sound button, preventing users from accessing features like Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos.

Windows 11 Spatial sound options menu for audio configuration

You can now close Settings if you like.

Option 2Enable or Disable Spatial Sound in Control Panel

Changing spatial sound settings through the Control Panel in Windows 11 involves opening the Sound control, selecting your playback device, and accessing its Properties to find the Spatial sound tab. This classic method offers detailed control over your audio output’s spatial sound configuration.

Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sound icon.
In the Playback tab, select the device (ex: “Digital Audio (S/PDIF)”) you want to enable or disable spatial sound for, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Sound device properties in Windows 11 Control Panel interface

Click/tap on the Spatial sound tab, select Off (disable – default) or Windows Sonic for Headphones (enable) for what you want in the Spatial sound format drop menu, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Click/tap on OK.

Sound device properties Control Panel spatial audio options

You can now close the Control Panel if you like.

Option 3Enable or Disable Spatial Sound in Quick Settings Volume Mixer

For Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer, you can quickly turn spatial sound on or off using the Quick Settings volume mixer. Simply open the volume mixer by pressing ⊞ Win+Ctrl+V or through Quick Settings (⊞ Win+A) to access and select your preferred spatial audio option.

Perform one of the following actions:

Press the ⊞ Win+Ctrl+V keys.
Open Quick Settings (⊞ Win+A), and click/tap on the Select a sound output button. (see screenshot below)

Windows 11 Quick Settings sound properties panel display

Select Off (disable – default) or Windows Sonic for Headphones (enable) for what you want under Spatial Audio.

If you turned on mono audio, it will disable the spatial sound setting.

Quick Settings spatial sound options menu in Windows 11

That’s it!

Summary

Spatial sound in Windows 11 gives you a 3D audio experience, and you can easily turn it on or off using Settings, Control Panel, or Quick Settings by choosing ‘Windows Sonic for Headphones’ or ‘Off’ for your audio device.

Should I activate Windows Spatial sound?

Should I enable Windows Spatial Sound? Yes, you should enable Windows Spatial Sound, especially when listening with headphones. It provides a more immersive audio experience for gaming, movies, and music by creating a virtual 3D soundscape.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

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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