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
    2024-02-12T21:41:59+00:00

    The correct answer as of February 12, 2024 is NO.

    There is currently NO option in Windows 11 to select ONE OR MORE preferred output devices and disable ALL others.

    There is NO option to flat out disable audio routing via USB-C or via HDMI at a system level.

    There is NO option to disable automatic switching of audio device when a new one is recognized. ANY newly connected device will come with a risk to start playing automatically, whether or not it was previously recognized and disabled.

    The problem WILL NOT be resolved and people will keep having issues and posting this question until these fixes are implemented.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-11-11T02:35:45+00:00

    I've run into similar or the same issues, and especially find that the automatic switching default upon plug in is the absolute worst offender. I wish this could just be turned off. And I would Love to petition a large upvote via the feedback hub to enable such.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-02-03T10:54:35+00:00

    Just woke up my pc from hibernate mode and got another jump scare because Bluetooth was suddenly enabled and auto-connected to my TV's soundbar.

    Why can't Windows just stick with what I set as default? :(

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-20T06:33:19+00:00

    Is there a TL;DR for those of us with ADHD? :)

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-10-02T07:23:51+00:00

    I also have the same issue all new Audio devices just automatically set themselves as new default when they get connected or get turned on which is driving me crazy.
    Everytime I start my pc and my Microphone driver/software is starting it set as default and everytime my TV goes into sleep and wakes up it set itself as new device and

    EVEN DISABLING THOSE COMPLETELY DOESNT DO ANYTHING

    Or you just want to play a game connect a playstation5 controller to it boom new audio and mic set as default which is just super dumb.

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