Windows · Display & Sound
Set independent volume levels per app
Volume mixer lets you control the output volume of individual running apps independently, and assign specific apps to different output or input devices.
How to open Volume Mixer
- Open Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer
- Adjust the volume slider for each listed app
- Assign an output or input device per app if needed
- Close Settings; changes apply immediately
What you should know
- Adjust volume sliders independently for each currently running app
- Assign a specific app's audio output to a particular speaker or headset
- Mute individual apps without muting the whole system
- Set separate input devices for apps that use a microphone
Why it matters
Different apps often have wildly inconsistent default volume levels, and a single system-wide volume control forces awkward compromises, like a notification sound blasting over quiet background music. Volume mixer solves this by giving each running app its own independent level, so you can keep a video call comfortably loud while muting a noisy browser tab entirely. Assigning specific apps to specific audio devices is also valuable for setups with multiple speakers or headsets, such as routing game audio to a headset while music plays through desktop speakers. This level of control is especially useful for streamers, gamers, and anyone regularly running multiple audio sources simultaneously.
Best practices
- Lower notification and system sound volume relative to media apps to avoid jarring interruptions
- Assign conferencing apps to a headset output separately from general media playback through speakers
- Mute background apps individually instead of muting the whole system during a call
- Revisit mixer levels after installing a new communication or media app for the first time
Common problems and fixes
- An app is louder or quieter than expected relative to others
- Open Volume mixer and adjust that specific app's slider independently of the master volume.
- Audio plays through the wrong speaker or headset
- Assign the correct output device to that app directly within Volume mixer.
- Volume mixer doesn't show a running app
- The app may not be actively producing audio yet; it typically appears once it starts playing sound.
Tips and tricks
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar for a quick shortcut into the volume mixer
- Set your microphone input per app here if a conferencing app is using the wrong input device
Frequently asked questions
Does Volume mixer save settings between sessions?
Yes, per-app volume and device assignments generally persist across restarts for the same app.
Can I route different apps to different speakers at the same time?
Yes, each app can be assigned its own independent output device.
Is this different from the main volume slider?
Yes, the main slider controls overall system volume, while Volume mixer controls each app independently.
Related settings
- Sound SettingsSound 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Advanced Display SettingsAdvanced display settings show detailed information about each connected display, including exact resolution, refresh rate, bit depth, and color format, with options to change them individually.