Devices Enable or Disable Sound Output Device in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable a sound output device in Windows 11.

The default audio playback device is the device that Windows uses to output (play) sound. This can be speakers, headphones, Bluetooth headset, or other audio devices connected or built-in to your computer.

You can enable and disable sound output devices on demand in Windows 11. This can be handy if say you don't want a sound output device to show in Quick Settings.




EXAMPLE: Sound output devices in Quick 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)



3 Under Advanced, click/tap on All sound devices. (see screenshot below)



4 Under Output devices, click/tap on the sound device you want to enable or disable. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on Don't allow (disable) or Allow (enable) for what you want. (see screenshots below)

Don't allow will remove the sound output device from Device Manager.

Allow will add the sound output device back to Device Manager.

6 You can now close Settings if you like.





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

2 Click/tap on the Playback tab. (see screenshots below)

3 Right click or press and hold on the sound device you want, and click/tap on Enable or Disable.

Disable will remove the sound output device from Device Manager.

Enable will add the sound output device back to Device Manager.

4 Click/tap on OK.

You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.

1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).

2 Click/tap on the arrow next to Audio inputs and outputs to expand it open. (see screenshots below step 4)

3 Right click on the sound output device you want to enable or disable.

4 Click/tap on Enable device or Disable device.


5 If you are disabling the sound output device, click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)


6 You can now close Device Manager if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink