Windows 11 keeps changing audio output.

Why not post the solution so we can all solve the problem...

I have been trying to figure out this 'default' behavior for years also. One thing I have realized is that it isn't as simple as people want it to be. I sympathize with those just wanting a simple default to work, I'm with ya.

-First, I am not even sure HOW "Default audio device" is supposed to work. Can you have more than one default (say if one of them isn't on or plugged in?)

-Is output supposed to switch back and forth when you turn on a device while another device is actively playing? (I have this situation constantly between my headphones and my Audio/Video home theater receiver)?

-How do you even define 'Default', is it the one that gets audio when the other device is switched off? Or is it the device that gets switched on when you have another already connected??

I just found this which may or may not help folks understand what is going on behind the scenes - if you have a long enough attention span to actually read through it.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/audio/default-audio-endpoint-selection I admit I didn't finish it, but it made me realize how much the designers are attempting to cover; and I don't envy them. No hope in pleasing everyone.

I do wish there was ONE place in Windows with a matrix or something where you could set up preferences to the levels described in the article, and it would actually work the way you intend.

As usual there are more than one way / location of setting the same settings - like the System Sound Settings from right-clicking the Volume icon VS. the old school legacy Windows Sound Panel. From what I have seen, changing it in one place doesn't always change it in the other - so which one is it using?? It's ambiguous.

If nothing else, NOT having duplicate locations to change the same setting would be easier to understand what is happening.

PS - for what its worth, Jeigh Neither had some good overall advice; the attacks were childish & pointless.

Bump. Bluetooth still turns on and pairs with a speaker without my input. The other issue stopped occuring after converting the AUX from my earbuds to USB-C using an Apple cable, plugging that into a KVM switch and plugging the KVM switch into my computer using USB-C. ....Yeah.

I had another thread about bluetooth specifically but it got locked after a cookie-cutter answer so I thought I'd keep this one up for as long as it's needed.

Your advice isn't advice that will actually fix the problem.

Thanks for your reply, Will, but this thread exists because that solution does not work unfortunately.

@Jeigh, sorry friend but I have no idea what that is all about because it's like one big wall of text.