This tutorial will show you different ways to change the default audio playback (output) device for your account in Windows 11.
The default audio playback device is the device that Windows uses to output (play) sound.
When you connect multiple audio output devices such as speakers, headphones, Bluetooth headset, or other audio devices to your PC, you can select which device you want to use by default.
Contents
- Option One: Change Default Sound Output Device in Quick Settings
- Option Two: Change Default Sound Output Device in Settings
- Option Three: Change Default Sound Output Device in Sound Control Panel
- Option Four: Change Default Sound Output Device in Game Bar
- Option Five: Change Default Sound Output Device for App in Settings
1 Open Quick Settings (Win+A). (see screenshot below step 2)
2 Click/tap on the Select a sound output button (Win+Ctrl+V). (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on the device you want to select and set as the default sound output device. (see screenshot below)
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)
3 Under Output < Choose where to play sound on the right side, select (dot) the device you want to set as the default sound output device. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sound icon.
2 Click/tap on the Playback tab, and perform one of the actions below you want to use to set the default sound output device. (see screenshots below)
- Select a playback device, and click/tap on Set Default.
- Right click or press and hold on the playback device, and click/tap on Set as Default Device.
3 Click/tap on OK when finished. (see screenshot below)
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 Mix tab of the Audio widget, click/tap on the current Windows Default Output device.
4 Select the device you want to set as the default sound output device.
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)
3 Click/tap on Volume mixer. (see screenshot below)
4 Under Apps, select the Output 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 output device for system.
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- Enable or Disable Sound Output Device in Windows 11
- Change Sound Output Volume Level in Windows 11
- Adjust Left and Right Volume Balance Level of Sound Output Device in Windows 11
- Change Default Sound Input Device in Windows 11
- Mute and Unmute Sound Output Volume in Windows 11
- Rename Sound Output Device in Windows 11
Last edited:
