Windows 11 keeps changing audio output.

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.

Try solution #6 from this article:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/stop-windows-from-changing-audio-device

Hopefully that will help some people!

The fix doesn't apply to my pc, sadly. I don't want to disable my bluetooth driver or prevent it from being installed.

<removed by moderator> I had to set up a group policy to literally stop Windows from doing whatever it wants. I really wish I had not upgraded, but unfortunately I have to for work. I've been an I.T Professional for 19 years, and it is astonishing how much control is being taken away each time a new Windows OS comes out.

If you have Windows Pro, you can use the following. If you have Home, you may need to install gpedit.msc through command prompt, because why would an admin user need to edit a local machine, right? Dumb as f.... Anyway, link here on how to do that if needed.

You can use Group Policy Editor to prevent Windows from automatically reinstalling drivers. For this purpose, it will stop the audio devices from switching when discovered. Would be nice to have a way to set a default device. Oh wait.....

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "System" > "Device Installation" > "Device Installation Restrictions."
• Double-click on "Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs."
• Select "Enabled" and click on "Show."
• Enter the device IDs of the audio devices you want to disable. You can find the device IDs in the Device Manager by right-clicking on the audio device, selecting "Properties," and going to the "Details" tab. Look for the "Hardware Ids" property.
• Click "OK" to save the settings.

Hope this helps, because it will never be fixed in an update.

keeps happening. is this a feature now or...?