Devices Change Default Sound Output Device in Windows 11

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.

Starting with Windows 11 build 29576.1000 (Experimental (Future Platforms) and build 26340.9354 (Experimental 26H2) for Insiders, the option to set an audio device as the default sound device for communication now always appears in Properties. The option is unavailable if the device is already the default instead of being hidden. You can now also change default devices from the All sound devices page 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 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 Advanced, click/tap on All sound devices. (see screenshot below)



4 Under System defaults, select the Output device in the drop menu you want as the system default. (see screenshot below)


5 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.

Only supported apps you currently have open will be available in this option.

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