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.

As a former Windows professional, I can tell you that these are literally all time-wasting suggestions.

Here's the actual answer to this question (about 98% sure):

You can't fix it. That's just how Windows works, and until the devs decide to change this process, you are stuck with it.

"Broke down at the side of the road? Try changing your oil!"

This is ANOTHER time-waster from this Carlos guy.

Hey, Carlos, stop "helping" people.

This wrong-answer boilerplate garbage from Microsoft.

Unfortunately, I'm with you. All of us are trying multiple things and the advice from the experts is not resolving the problem. It's one of those problems that I will have for years, google every once and a while when it's annoying me, and then maybe someday it will get fixed in a patch when I'm not paying attention.

Yes- what you just said. :(