Devices Change Default Sound Input Device in Windows 11


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microphone_banner.png

This tutorial will show you different ways to change the default sound input device for your account in Windows 11.

The default sound input device is the device that Windows uses for speaking or recording.

When you connect more than one microphone or other recording devices to your PC, you can select which device you want to use by default.


Contents

  • Option One: Change Default Sound Input Device in Settings
  • Option Two: Change Default Sound Input Device in Sound Control Panel
  • Option Three: Change Default Sound Input Device in Game Bar
  • Option Four: Change Default Sound Input Device for App in Settings




Option One

Change Default Sound Input Device in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Sound on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Sound_input_device_Settings-1.png

3 Under Input < Choose a device for speaking and recording on the right side, select (dot) the device you want to set as the default sound input device. (see screenshot below)

Sound_input_device_Settings-2.png

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Change Default Sound Input Device in Sound Control Panel


1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sound icon.

2 Click/tap on the Recording tab, and perform one of the actions below you want to use to set the default sound output device. (see screenshots below)
  • Select a recording device, and click/tap on Set Default.
  • Right click or press and hold on a recording device, and click/tap on Set as Default Device.
Sound_input_device_Control_Panel-1.png
Sound_input_device_Control_Panel-2.png

3 Click/tap on OK when finished. (see screenshot below)

Sound_input_device_Control_Panel-3.png




Option Three

Change Default Sound Input Device in Game Bar


1 Open the Game Bar (Win+G).

2 Click/tap on the Audio icon on the Game Bar to open the Audio widget. (see screenshot below)

3 In the Voice tab of the Audio widget, click/tap on the current Windows Default Input device.

4 Select the device you want to set as the default sound input device.

Sound_input_device_Game_Bar.png





Option Four

Change Default Sound Input Device for App in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Sound on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Sound_input_device_Settings-1.png

3 Click/tap on Volume mixer. (see screenshot below)


Default_input_device_for_app-1.png

4 Under Apps, select the Input device you want in the drop menu for each available app (ex: "Google Chrome") you want. (see screenshot below)

Default is the default setting to use the default input device for system.


Default_input_device_for_app-2.png

5 You can now close Settings if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
Shawn, you can also access the classic Sound options from System > Sound > More Sound Settings.
You probably already know. :)

Sound Settings.png
 

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Tutorial updated to add option 4 to select a default sound input device for an app. :-)
 

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