If you have installed multiple audio devices, you can manage whether you want to use these audio devices. By enabling or disabling a specific speaker, headphone or other output device Windows 11 only use this device for audio output.
Disabling an audio device does not remove the device from your computer. You disable it, which prevents Windows 11 from switching to this audio device. This is recommended, for example, if you have installed multiple speakers, but are not using them all. It sometimes happens that Windows 11 automatically switches to the wrong audio output device.
For example, if you have no sound on your PC and you also see that the sound is not available, in this case it is recommended to check whether the audio device is enabled. You can use it again by switching the audio device back on.
Enable or disable audio device in Windows 11
Right-click on the Start button. In the menu click on Settings. Click on System on the left in the settings and then on Sound.
In the Sound settings, navigate down a bit until you reach “Advanced”. In the Advanced settings click on “All sound devices”.
In the output devices or in the input devices, click on the installed sound device that you want to manage.
Click “Allow” or “Disallow” to enable or disable the sound device. You can also use the improve audio.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!
Also read:
Hallo,
There is a speaker in my mainframe and it is now suddenly turned on for some unknown reason. I tried to disable this speaker via your post “Enable or disable audio device in Windows 11” but it doesn't work. This device cannot be found on the relevant Settings screens. If I turn something off, all sound goes out and I can no longer use the external speakers.
The problem is that this mainframe speaker is now always on and cannot be switched off, even when using headphones.
Please help,
Geert ter Horst
Hello, here are additional tips.
Start by checking the Device Manager. Right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Look under 'Sound, video and game controllers' to see if the internal speaker is listed there. If you find the device, you can try disabling it by right-clicking on it and choosing 'Disable'.
Also consider checking your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key during startup to access the BIOS/UEFI. There, look for settings related to the internal speaker and disable it if possible.
The 'Sound Mixer' can also help. Open this by right-clicking the speaker icon in the taskbar and selecting 'Open Volume Mixer'. See if the internal speaker appears here and adjust the volume or mute it.
Check whether specific manufacturer-specific sound management software is installed on your computer. This software may sometimes provide options to manage the internal speaker.
Additionally, make sure you have the latest drivers and Windows updates installed as updates can sometimes fix such issues.
As a last resort, and only if you are comfortable working with hardware, consider opening the computer and physically disconnecting the speaker. Only do this if you have experience with hardware and are aware of the warranty conditions.
Success!
Stefan, Thanks for your tips. However, these were a bit too complicated for me, partly due to the terminology that the computer itself uses once you get started and which keeps putting me on the wrong track. I tried the sound mixer, but the internal speaker cannot be found there either. I didn't dare delve into the BIOS or UEFI settings, because I can't make sense of what I encounter there. In desperation, I resorted to the nuclear option of resetting the computer to factory settings and reinstalling Windows. That helped and also solved some other problems. Afterwards I had to download and reinstall a lot of programs, but it all worked out in the end.
Good that you at least tried it. Thanks for the feedback and if you have any questions please ask. Good luck.