2 Quick Ways to Change Audio and Sound Output on Windows

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Select different audio output devices in Windows with this easy guide

Co-authored by Ken Colburn and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using the Taskbar
|
• Changing the Default Audio Device
|
• Video
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• Q&A

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If you have no sound coming out of your speakers or headphones, or if you have multiple devices connected, you may want to switch your audio output. You can change the audio output through the volume control icon in the taskbar or the Control Panel. Here's how to change audio output on Windows 10 or 11 computers.

Quick Steps

1. Click the up-arrow in your taskbar to open the system tray.
2. Click the speaker icon.
3. Click the arrow next to the current audio output.
4. Select a new audio output.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Taskbar

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1. 
   1
   Click the speaker icon in your taskbar. It's usually on the far right side of the taskbar next to the Wi-Fi icon.

   • If you don't see this icon, you may need to click the up arrow to open your system tray.
   • You'll see your current output device.
2. 
   2
   Click the arrow next to the current audio output. A list will open with all available output devices.

   • For Windows 11, you will see the arrow next to the sound slider instead.
   • If you don't see your device, make sure it's plugged into the correct port and the sound drivers are updated.
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3. 
   3
   Click the audio output you want to use. When you do this, the sound will play through the audio output device you selected from the list.

   • You may have to repeat this process every time your computer shuts down or any time you want to change the audio output. If you don't want to have to do this all the time, see the next section to change your default audio device.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Changing the Default Audio Device

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1. 
   1
   Open the Control Panel. Click the Start menu and type "control panel". Click the first option.
2. 
   2
   Click Sound. It's next to the icon that resembles a speaker. This displays the Sound options window.
3. 
   3
   Click the Playback tab. The Playback tab is the first tab at the top of the Sound options window. This displays a list of available audio devices.

   • If you're already on this tab, skip this step.
4. 
   4
   Click the audio device you want. This may include internal speakers, monitor speakers, a USB device, or Bluetooth speakers/headphones.
5. 
   5
   Click Set Default. It's the button below the list of devices in the sound options. This sets the audio device as the default audio device.
6. 
   6
   Click OK. It's in the lower-right corner of the Sound options window. This closes the Sound options window.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  I want to use my headphone, but what if it's not displayed under playback?

  

  SP_CTRE

  Community Answer

  It might be something wrong with your audio driver. Go to your taskbar and type in "Device manager". Once you've opened that, expand "Audio inputs and outputs". Right click on your audio device and hit "Update driver".

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 12 Helpful 5
• Question

  There is no sound and I have made sure the volume is not muted. I have tried the the control panel and still nothing. Why?

  

  Community Answer

  Try the troubleshooter. Go to control panel, then go to troubleshooting and select the audio option. Use this to help your diagnose the Windows problem.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 15 Helpful 0
• Question

  What do I do if I accidentally deleted the audio output device?

  

  Community Answer

  The audio output device should come back on the next reboot because deleting the device is actually forcing the driver to stop.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0

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