Settings → System → Sound → Choose your sound output deviceSetting up the default audio device in Windows 11 means telling Windows which speakers or headphones should play sound and which microphone should pick up your voice. You do both on the Sound page in Settings, with one choice for output and one for input. Apps such as browsers, video players and call apps then use these devices unless you pick something different for a specific app.
- Open Settings, select System, then Sound, and choose your speakers under Choose your sound output device.
- On the same page, choose your default microphone under Choose your sound input device.
- To check it worked, play a sound and speak into the microphone, then adjust the volume controls if you hear or record nothing.
How to set up the default audio device
1. Open the Sound settings
Press Windows + I to launch Settings. In the left navigation pane, select System, then select Sound.
Alternatively, open the page directly:
Open "Sound" in Settingsor press Win+R, type ms-settings:apps-volume, and press Enter
2. Choose the default output device
Find the Output group. Under Choose your sound output device, select the speakers, headphones or other playback device you want Windows to use.
The device you select becomes your default output device. System sounds, music and videos play through it, unless an app has its own output set.
3. Choose the default input device
Find the Input group. Under Choose your sound input device, select the microphone or recording device you want to use.
This is your default input device. Calls, voice recording and dictation use it unless an app is set to use another microphone.
4. Check the volume of the new device
Every device has its own volume. Use Audio output volume control to raise the volume or unmute the speakers. Use Audio input volume control to set the microphone volume or unmute the microphone.
If you just switched devices, this is the most common reason for silence, because the new device may be muted or set very low.
5. Test the new defaults
Play a video or a song and confirm the sound comes from the device you chose. Then open a call or recording app and speak, to confirm it picks up your voice through the right microphone.
If something is wrong, go back to the Sound page and select the device again.
When a device is missing or turned off
If your headphones, speakers or microphone are not in the lists, first make sure the device is plugged in, turned on and, for wireless devices, connected to the PC. Then check whether Windows has the device turned off.
- Open Manage output sound devices in the Output group to review your playback devices.
- Open Manage input sound devices in the Input group to review your recording devices.
These entries are also where you can turn off a device you no longer want to see in the lists. After you turn a device back on, return to the steps above and select it as the default.
Use a different output for one app
The default device applies to the whole system, but sometimes one app should use something else, for example music on speakers while a call stays on a headset. In the Advanced group, open Sound mixer options to set the volume and output device for individual apps.
Apps you leave alone keep following the default device you chose earlier.
Other output options on the same page
If you hear with only one ear or use a single earbud, and you want that ear to get the full signal, look at Mono audio options in the Output group. It combines the audio channels into one.
On a work or school device, an organization can manage sound settings, so some options may be unavailable or locked.
Frequently asked questions
What are the steps for setting up default audio device in Windows 11?
Open Settings, go to System, then Sound. Select your speakers under Choose your sound output device and your microphone under Choose your sound input device.
How do I change the default microphone in Windows 11?
Open Sound in Settings and select the microphone you want under Choose your sound input device. Windows then uses it for calls and recordings unless an app has its own microphone set.
What should I do if my headphones do not appear in the list of audio devices?
Make sure the headphones are plugged in, turned on or connected, then check Manage output sound devices in case the device is turned off. Once it is back, select it as the default.
Can one app use a different speaker than the default audio device?
Yes. On the Sound page, open Sound mixer options in the Advanced group to set the output device and volume for individual apps. Other apps keep using the default device.
Why is there no sound after I change the default audio device?
The new device is probably muted or set very low. Check Audio output volume control for speakers or Audio input volume control for the microphone, and confirm the right device is selected.
