Windows · Display & Sound
Manage Sound & Audio Devices
Sound Settings allow you to select input and output devices, adjust volume levels per app, and troubleshoot audio issues such as no sound or distorted playback.
How to open Sound Settings
- Open Settings → System → Sound.
- Select your output and input devices.
- Adjust the volume mixer for individual apps.
- Run 'Troubleshoot common sound problems' if issues persist.
What you should know
- Choose your default output (speakers/headphones) and input (microphone) devices.
- Use the volume mixer to adjust levels independently for each app.
- Test your speakers and microphone directly from this panel.
- Enable spatial sound for a more immersive audio experience if supported.
If sound stops working after a Windows update, check that the correct output device is selected before reinstalling audio drivers.
Why it matters
Sound settings determine which device is actually listening or speaking during your calls, and picking the wrong input or output device is one of the most common reasons people get told 'we can't hear you' in a meeting. Beyond calls, the per-app volume mixer lets you keep notification dings quiet while your music or video stays at a comfortable level, which is a small but daily quality-of-life improvement. Because Windows sometimes switches default devices automatically when you plug something in, checking this panel is a frequent first troubleshooting step for audio problems.
Best practices
- Set your preferred speakers/headphones and microphone explicitly rather than relying on Windows to auto-select the right device.
- Use the Volume Mixer to lower notification and system sound volume relative to media and call apps.
- Test your microphone and speakers directly in Sound settings before joining an important call.
- Enable spatial sound only if your headphones or speakers actually support it, since forcing it on unsupported hardware can distort audio.
Common problems and fixes
- No sound plays through speakers or headphones after plugging in new hardware.
- Check that the new device wasn't automatically set as default output when you didn't want it to be, and manually reselect the correct output device in Sound settings.
- Audio crackles, pops, or stutters intermittently.
- Update or roll back the audio driver in Device Manager, and disable audio enhancements under the device's advanced properties, since enhancement processing is a frequent cause of crackling.
- One app is much louder or quieter than everything else.
- Open the Volume Mixer (right-click the speaker icon → Open Volume Mixer) and adjust that app's slider independently of the master volume.
Tips and tricks
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar for a quick device switcher instead of opening full Settings.
- Use 'Listen to this device' in microphone properties to monitor your mic input live through your speakers for testing.
- Assign specific apps to specific audio devices via 'App volume and device preferences' if you want calls routed to headphones while music plays through speakers.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my sound suddenly stop working after a Windows update?
Updates occasionally reset the default output device or reinstall audio drivers, so check Sound settings first, then run the built-in audio troubleshooter if the correct device is already selected.
What is spatial sound and should I turn it on?
Spatial sound simulates directional, 3D-like audio for compatible headphones and speakers; it's worth enabling for gaming or movies if your hardware supports formats like Dolby Atmos, but it can sound worse on basic stereo hardware.
Can I have different volume levels for different apps at the same time?
Yes, the Volume Mixer lets you set an independent volume for each running app so, for example, you can keep music quiet while a video call stays at full volume.
Related settings
- Microphone PermissionMicrophone Permission lets you control which applications can use your device's microphone. This is essential for maintaining privacy and preventing unauthorized audio recording by untrusted software.
- Bluetooth SettingsBluetooth settings allow you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, and smartphones to your PC. You can pair, remove, and manage connected devices easily.
- NotificationsNotification settings let you control which apps can send alerts, how they appear, and when Do Not Disturb (Focus Assist) is active to reduce interruptions.
More Display & Sound guides for Windows
- Display SettingsDisplay settings allow you to adjust screen resolution, brightness, scaling, and multiple monitor configurations. Proper display configuration improves visual clarity and productivity.
- Focus AssistFocus Assist (formerly Quiet Hours) automatically silences notification banners and sounds so alerts don't interrupt you during focused work, gaming, or presentations. You can trigger it manually or set automatic rules for specific times, duplicated displays, or full-screen games, and choose whether only alarms or also priority contacts still get through.
- Game ModeGame Mode prioritizes system resources for the game you're actively playing, preventing Windows Update from installing updates or restarting the PC mid-session, and reducing background activity that could interrupt gameplay. It's a single toggle designed to squeeze more consistent performance out of the same hardware during full-screen gaming.
- Night LightNight light shifts your display's color temperature to warmer tones at scheduled times, reducing blue light exposure that can interfere with sleep and cause eye strain in the evening.
- HDR SettingsHDR settings let you turn on high dynamic range on a supported display, adjust HDR brightness balance, and stream HDR video content for a wider range of colors and contrast.
- Volume MixerVolume mixer lets you control the output volume of individual running apps independently, and assign specific apps to different output or input devices.