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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?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Disabled should mean disabled. That's all. I don't know what the heck happened to this thread.
If I disable a device in the device manager, settings and everything else, it should not be randomly enabled. If I turn off bluetooth, it should not enable and pair itself with a speaker without permission.
Off should be off. No task or policy will help as a workaround for now.
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.
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When I show hidden devices I see pretty much what I expected, like 20 instances for my monitors.
it looks to me like every time the monitor is connected (say on reboot or if I have to move them around or just because my dock glitched for a second) it's detecting it as a new audio device and retaining that. I suspect each time this happens it switches output to the device.
Really, I think we just need a windows setting to tell it to not automatically switch input to the most recently connected device. If this were given as an option it should entirely solve the problem I think.
what the heck happened here
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.
