How to choose the default audio output device on Windows 11

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This guide instructs students and new users on setting the default speakers or headphones in the newly-released preview of Windows 11. The system allows selection of a default output device for sound in all apps via the System Settings, with further options for individual app preferences. Quick switching of output devices is also possible via…

This post shows students and new users how to choose or set the default speakers or headsets in Windows 11.

If you’re used to using multiple speakers of headphones in Windows, you may often have to switch between these different output devices for sounds. While setting the default speakers for every app across the System is easy, some apps allow you to choose your preferred speakers that override the System’s default.

Setting default speakers in Windows 11 is important because it ensures that sounds always come from the correct output device. If you use multiple speakers or headphones with your computer, you may need to switch between them for different applications.

By setting a default output device, you can avoid manually selecting the output device every time you want to use a particular app. This helps save time and makes it more convenient to use your computer.

To get started with setting Windows default speakers, follow the steps below:

How to select default speakers in Windows 11

There are multiple ways to select Windows 11 as the default speaker. One can quickly select the system-wide speakers for all apps using Windows systems settings.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + i shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar to search for Settings. Then select to open it.

In Windows Settings, click System, and select Sound on the right pane of your screen, as shown in the image below.

On the Sound settings pane, under Output, where you see “Choose your output device,” choose the output device you want to make the default to play Sound.

In the highlighted image below, you can select Speakers or a Headset as your output device. Windows will also use the selected device to play Sound.

The changes you make above will apply to all apps. However, certain apps may be customized to override this setting and choose a different output device.

How to switch output devices in Windows 11

Another way to quickly switch Windows output devices is via the taskbar. Click the speaker’s icon in the taskbar to choose between sound devices rapidly.

Then click the right arrow highlighted in the image below to show all sound devices.

From there, you can select the device you want to use for Sound. To quickly switch back to Windows’ default sound device, reverse the steps above and select that.

If you don’t see the connected playback device on the list, it may not be recognized by Windows.

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to choose Windows’ default app sound output device. If you find any errors above, please use the comment form below to report them.

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One response to “How to choose the default audio output device on Windows 11”

  1. Troubleshooting Audio Issues on Windows 11 - Geek Rewind

    […] you’re using a laptop with multiple audio output devices, check that you have the appropriate one selected. Check your speaker and headphone […]

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