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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  1. Anonymous
    2023-05-22T00:56:44+00:00

    <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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-05-19T08:20:02+00:00

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

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-05-18T10:11:26+00:00

    still ongoing. bluetooth suddenly enabled and connected to soundbar after waking pc.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-12T08:50:02+00:00

    Bumppp

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-04-26T11:54:38+00:00

    Image

    Image

    Again! I swear I disabled this output device. Now I can't get my bluetooth speaker to work :/

    Please fix!

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