How to turn Change Adaptive Communication Sound Levels in Windows 11

You can turn off adaptive communication sound levels in Windows 11 to prevent other sounds from automatically lowering when you use communication apps.

This feature, often called “Communications” under Sound settings, is designed to make your calls clearer by reducing background audio from other programs. However, you might want to disable it if you prefer consistent audio levels for all applications.

Disabling this setting ensures that Windows 11 will not automatically adjust the volume of other applications when it detects you are on a call or using a communication program like Discord or Zoom.

This tutorial focuses on versions of Windows 11 that have introduced this specific setting, typically found within the Sound > Communications section.

Option 1Using ⚙️ Windows Settings

This option is available on newer versions of Windows 11 for people testing future updates.

1. Open Settings. You can do this by pressing the Windows key and the I key together on your keyboard.
2. In Settings, click on System in the left-hand menu. Then, on the right side, click on Sound.
3. Look for the Output section. You will see a setting called Adaptive communication sound levels. Click the drop-down menu next to it.
4. Here’s what happens to other sounds when you’re on a call:

   • Mute all: All other sounds will be completely silenced.
   • Reduce by 80%: This is the default setting. Other sounds will become much quieter.
   • Reduce by 50%: Other sounds will be reduced by half.
   • Do nothing: Windows will not change the volume of other sounds.
5. Once you’ve made your choice, you can close ⚙️ the Settings window.

Option 2Using the Windows Registry Editor

Note: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious problems with your system. It’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes. These steps require administrator privileges.

Why do this? This method lets you change the same sound setting using a more advanced tool called the Registry Editor (a database that stores low-level settings for Windows). This is useful if ⚙️ the Settings option isn’t available yet, or if you prefer using the Registry.

1. First, you need to open the Registry Editor. Press the Windows key and type regedit. Then, click on Registry Editor when it appears in 🔍 the search results. You might be asked for administrator permission; click Yes.
2. Navigate to the following location in the Registry Editor. You can type this path directly into the address bar at the top.
   

   🗝️Registry

   Copy

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Communications

3. Look for a value named SmartVolume.UserDuckingPreference. If it doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it.

Summary

This tutorial explained how to control how Windows 11 adjusts sound levels during communication activities. You can use the simpler ⚙️ Settings app (on newer builds) or the more advanced Registry Editor to choose whether other sounds are muted, reduced by a percentage, or left as they are. This helps ensure you can hear important calls clearly without being interrupted by other audio.