How to Change Audio Device in Windows

For if you are having audio issues. This teaches you how to assign a default speaker and microphone for meetings as well as a default for non-meetings.

Using the Task Bar

  1. Right click on the speaker icon in the bottom right of the task bar.
    Speaker icon in bottom right of screen
  2. Select "Sounds"
    Right click to select "Sounds"

Using Settings

If right clicking the speaker does not bring up the "Sounds" menu, do the following otherwise, skip to Here:

    1. Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of the screen.
    2. Click on the gear icon for "Settings."
      Windows icon and Settings icon
    3. Click "System" and then click "Sound" on the left-hand side.
      Windows Settings menu
      Sound tab under System menu
    4. This will open the sound menu. Then click "Sound Control Panel" under the "Related Settings" section.
      Related Settings section Sound Control Panel
  1. Navigate to the "Playback" tab
    Playback tab
  2. Click on the device that you want to use primarily and click "Set Default." This will make it your default device for videos/audio as well as phone calls. If you want a different device for each, do the following:
    1. Click on the device that you want to use as the main speaker. This means that sound will play out of it when listening to videos or audio online. Then select the drop down arrow next to "Set Default" and click "Default Device."
    2. Click on the device that you want to use when you are answering the phone or in a video call. Select the drop down arrow next to "Set Default" in the bottom right and click "Default Communication Device." This will make it take priority when making calls.
      Arrow next to "set default" choose "default" or "default communication"
  3. You can also right click on the device and select "Set as Default Device" or "Set as Default Communication Device."
    Right click and select device setting
  4. Do the same under the "Recording" tab
    Right clicking menu for recording tab
  5. Make sure the devices that you set are not in "Exclusive Mode." To do this, double click the device, or right click and select "Properties." Then go to the "Advanced" tab and uncheck the "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and click "Apply" in the bottom right.
    Advanced tab of audio device



Keywords:
audio speaker microphone "no sound" 
Doc ID:
141204
Owned by:
Matthew S. in College of Applied Health Sciences
Created:
2024-08-15
Updated:
2024-08-15
Sites:
University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences