Windows 11 keeps changing audio output.

Anonymous
2022-04-11T11:41:43+00:00

Hello,

Windows 11 keeps swapping between audio output devices at random times. Even if I "don't allow" a device in the settings or disable it through 'more sound settings'. Sometimes it happens after a reboot, sometimes it just does it for no reason. Sometimes it goes well for a day, maybe two, and then it'll swap things around again.

Is there a way for me to 'lock' the output device? My default device is set as the default. Sometimes it changes volume to maximum after a swap which you can probably understand is very inconvenient.

Did I miss a setting somewhere?

I'm using my earbuds plugged in to one of my monitors and the monitor is connected through DP, so the audio controller is my graphics card (nvidia) rather than the on-board one.

Can anyone help me out?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-10-16T19:45:49+00:00

    Right- right. I went down that road. There is a way to not automagically install devices, but it has something to do with a whole _class_ of devices, I haven't found a way to get it to recognize a particular device. I'm not sure it's every time you disconnect and connect, but it does feel that way.

    Have a look at my post further up- that might help you; I was able to tell Windows, "Don't use the device" both in Device Manager and in W10 settings in, it's "Manage Sound Devices"

    This worked to finally get windows to stop thinking the USB Hub built into my monitor was a preferred audio output device. I said "don't use it" and it has not bothered my since.

    Good luck.

    <removed by Moderator>

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-10-13T09:21:31+00:00

    what the heck happened here

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-12T22:02:32+00:00

    You may find it helpful (and a bit disturbing... you'll see what I mean) to also "show hidden devices" in Device Manager and you may see some unexpected audio devices there as well.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-10-12T21:54:01+00:00

    so after a lot of time and a lot of headaches i finally fixed the problem..

    basically i found that all the drivers for my audip be it microsoft of my M Audio dac where all fighting each other so i ended up uninstalling every audio driver including the real tek audio which is garbage anyway and one by one reinstalled them all and made sure they were updated

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