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Windows 11 Keeps Changing Audio Output: 8 Ways to Fix It

Disable other audio devices to prioritize your default device

6 min. read

Updated onFebruary 13, 2024

updated onFebruary 13, 2024

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When working on your PC, you may need to use other audio outputs. If you haveset up your PC to use multiple audio outputs, you should have no problem.

However, if you have a default device set and Windows 11 keeps changing the audio output even after you’ve set your preferred device, it can be annoying so let’s jump straight into how we can put a stop to Windows 11 from changing your audio device.

Why does Windows keep changing my audio settings?

At first, this might seem like a minor issue, but it can be very annoying and disruptive to your work. If you’re someone who works with audio a lot, you can appreciate the importance of having consistency when it comes to your computer’s functionality.

Now, onto why you’re having difficulty maintaining a default audio device. Below are some possible reasons for this:

How do I stop the audio device from changing in Windows 11?

Try the following workarounds first before attempting the more complex solutions:

1. Run the audio troubleshooter

2. Reinstall audio drivers

3. Update audio drivers

Alternatively, you can opt for a sure way of getting the right drivers, as sometimes even Windows recommends the wrong drivers.

Outbyte Driver Updater is a simpledriver updater toolthat can help you update your audio drivers. When it runs for the first time, it searches for outdated drivers on your PC and cleans out all the outdated or broken ones.

After that, it will automatically install the latest version of those downloaded files on your computer.

⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Disable audio devices

If your audio keeps switching from say your headphones to speakers in Windows 11, it may be because you have too many devices installed. Disabling audio devices on your computer can be helpful if you’re trying to mute your computer or prevent other sounds from playing.

When you disable your output or playback device in Windows, your computer will no longer be able to hear sound from these sources and won’t send any sound out of its speakers or headphones, regardless of whether they are enabled by default.

5. Scan for viruses

6. Check for Windows updates

7. Disallow app controls

8. Reset your PC

If your Windows 11 default sound device keeps changing, one of these steps should help you. Unfortunately, this is not the only sound issue you may face, as sometimes,you may not get sound after your PC comes from sleep.

You may also be interested involume boostersif you’re not happy with the sound output in your device. To learn more about this subject, check our guide on how tochange output device on Windows 11properly.

Many also reported thatno output devices are found in Windows 11, but we tackled that issue in a different guide.

That’s it from us but share with us what solution worked instantly for you in the comment section below.

Windows 11 Keeps Changing Audio Output: 8 Ways to Fix It#

How do I stop the audio device from changing in Windows 11?#

1. Run the audio troubleshooter#

2. Reinstall audio drivers#

3. Update audio drivers#

4. Disable audio devices#

5. Scan for viruses#

6. Check for Windows updates#

7. Disallow app controls#

8. Reset your PC#