Output on speakers for PC randomly varies

Question

Output on speakers for PC randomly varies

k flynn 0

The sound output on my PC speakers randomly turns down briefly when I am streaming.

All looks to be in order with settings & only other devices attached to my PC is a wired printer & occasionally my iPhone.

How can I remedy this?

John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-16T18:37:02.61+00:00
Hi, @k flynn

Since the volume only drops briefly while streaming, I would first check whether Windows is automatically reducing the sound.

Press Windows + R, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter. Go to the Communications tab, select Do nothing, then click Apply and OK.

Also, to help narrow down the issue:

Does this happen with every streaming service, or only one app/browser such as Edge, Chrome, YouTube, Netflix, etc.?

When the sound drops, does the Windows volume level actually move down, or does the volume stay at the same percentage?

Are the speakers connected by the 3.5 mm audio jack, USB, HDMI/monitor, or Bluetooth?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

1 answer

Your answer

John Jefferson Doyon 86,980 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-16T18:37:02.61+00:00

Hi, @k flynn

Since the volume only drops briefly while streaming, I would first check whether Windows is automatically reducing the sound.

Press Windows + R, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter. Go to the Communications tab, select Do nothing, then click Apply and OK.

Also, to help narrow down the issue:

Does this happen with every streaming service, or only one app/browser such as Edge, Chrome, YouTube, Netflix, etc.?

When the sound drops, does the Windows volume level actually move down, or does the volume stay at the same percentage?

Are the speakers connected by the 3.5 mm audio jack, USB, HDMI/monitor, or Bluetooth?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

Answer 1

For intermittent speaker volume drops while streaming, work through these steps in order:

Check the active output device.
- Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
- Select the arrow next to the volume slider.
- Confirm audio is playing to the intended speakers, not another device.
Check system and app volume levels.
- In Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
- Make sure both System and the streaming app are turned up and not muted.
- If the issue happens only while streaming, this helps confirm whether the app volume is dropping separately from system volume.
Turn off audio enhancements.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Output, select the speaker device in use.
- Select Audio enhancements and turn them Off.
- Test streaming again.
Change the audio format.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Output, select the speaker device.
- Select Advanced.
- Under Default format, choose a different format and test again.
Check hardware and connections.
- Make sure speaker cables are firmly connected.
- If speakers use USB, try a different USB port.
- Make sure speakers are powered on and not muted.
- If headphones were previously connected, unplug them and test the speakers again.
Run the Windows audio troubleshooter.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- In Audio, select Run.
Update or reinstall the audio driver.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the audio device and select Update driver.
- Restart the PC.
- If the problem continues, uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version from the device manufacturer’s website.
Restart Windows audio services.
- Select Start, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Right-click Windows Audio and select Restart.
- Right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and select Restart.

Since the drop happens briefly during streaming, the most relevant first checks are Volume mixer, Audio enhancements, and the audio driver.

References: