Changing audio devices for Windows and applications
This article instructs how to set your default audio devices (speakers for output; microphone for input) for Windows and applications including Teams and Zoom.
When you change the sound device in Windows or calling applications such as Teams and Zoom, you are modifying the audio input or output settings specific to that application. Each program maintains its own configuration for audio devices, which means that altering the settings in one application does not apply changes to others.
- For example: If you set your headphones as the default sound device in Windows, Teams might still use your computer's speakers until you go into Zoom's settings and change it there. The same goes for Zoom – it will use whatever sound device you set in its own settings, regardless of what you've set in Windows or Teams.
This separation of audio settings ensures that each application can operate independently and allows users to customize their audio experience based on the specific needs of each program. It also prevents conflicts that could arise if changes in one application's settings were to inadvertently affect others.
How to change audio devices in Windows 11
- Open Sound Settings
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner and go to Settings > System > Sound. Alternatively, you can right-click on the speaker icon and select Sound settings.
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner and go to Settings > System > Sound. Alternatively, you can right-click on the speaker icon and select Sound settings.
- Choose Output Device
- In the Sound settings menu, find the output device dropdown and select your preferred device.
- In the Sound settings menu, find the output device dropdown and select your preferred device.
- Choose Input Device
- In the Sound settings menu, find the input device dropdown and select your preferred device.
- In the Sound settings menu, find the input device dropdown and select your preferred device.
- Adjust Volume
- Adjust the volume using the slider if necessary. For input (microphone), we advise the setting to remain at 100 for optimal voice capture.
- Adjust the volume using the slider if necessary. For input (microphone), we advise the setting to remain at 100 for optimal voice capture.
- Close Settings
- Close the settings window to complete the process.
How to change audio devices in Microsoft Teams
- Open Teams Settings:
- Click on the 3 dots menu ( ... ) adjacent to your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Teams window. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the 3 dots menu ( ... ) adjacent to your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Teams window. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- In the Settings menu, go to Devices.
- Under Audio, you can choose your preferred speaker and microphone from the dropdown menus.
Change audio devices for Teams during a meeting:
- Click on the dropdown caret menu (inverted ^ icon) in the meeting controls.
- Choose your desired audio devices from the Speaker and Microphone options.
How to change audio devices in Zoom
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Zoom window. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- In the Settings menu, go to the Audio tab.
- Under Speaker and Microphone, select your preferred devices from the dropdown menus.
Change the audio devices for Zoom during a meeting:
- Click the caret menu (^ icon) next to the Audio (muted/unmuted microphone) button.
- Choose your desired audio devices from the Speaker and Microphone options.
