Fix Audio Issues on Windows 11: A Quick and Easy Guide

To reset all audio devices and volume levels on your Windows 11 computer, navigate to Settings, then go to System > Sound > Volume Mixer. Locate the option "Reset Sound Devices and Volumes for All Apps to the Recommended Defaults" and simply click the "Reset" button.

One of the most common reasons for resetting audio settings is to fix sound playback issues. Your PC may not be playing sounds correctly or you may not hear anything at all, which can often be caused by misconfigured audio options.

Another reason for resetting your settings is if you no longer want to use your customized sound settings. You may have made a few adjustments here and there with your audio options, but want to return to the defaults. Regardless of the reason, resetting sound settings is a straightforward process.

If you wish to reset your audio devices or return all app volume levels to default, follow these steps. Please note that following these steps will reveal any hidden audio devices, so you will need to disable them again after the reset.

Open Settings by using the Windows+i shortcut. Select “System” from the options available in the left sidebar. Once you do that, click on “Sound” from the right pane.

Scroll down a little and locate “Volume Mixer”. Click on it to proceed.

Next, find the “Reset Sound Devices and Volumes for All Apps to the Recommended Defaults” option and click on “Reset” located next to it.

How to Restore Default Settings for Audio Equipment

To troubleshoot issues with a specific audio device on your PC or to reset a sound device's settings to default, follow these simple steps.

First, open Settings by pressing Windows+i. From there, navigate to System > Sound > More Sound Settings.

Once the window appears, select your audio device and click on "Properties."

Next, go to the "Advanced" tab and click on "Restore Defaults" located at the bottom.

Note: If the "Restore Defaults" button is greyed out, your audio device is already set to the default settings.

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How to Reset Windows’ System Sounds

If you've customized your Windows system sounds and want to revert back to the default ones, it's a simple process.

Start off by opening the "Start" menu and searching for "Change System Sounds." Select the corresponding item.

Once the "Sound" window opens up, click on the "Sound Scheme" drop-down menu and choose "Windows Default." Then, at the bottom of the window, select "Apply" followed by "OK."

That's it! You've successfully reset your sound equipment to the default settings.

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Your Windows system's audio settings can easily be reset in Windows 11. However, if you're still experiencing issues with your PC's sound, there are a few additional steps you can take to resolve the problem.

- Use the Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Using the built-in Windows Audio troubleshooter is one way to address your audio issues. This tool automatically detects and resolves any audio-related problems, allowing you to enjoy your music and other audio on your computer.

To access the troubleshooter, open the Settings app in Windows 11 by pressing Windows+i. Then, select "System" from the left sidebar and click on "Troubleshoot" on the right pane.

Choose the option “Other Troubleshooters” and proceed to the next step.

Click on “Run” next to the “Playing Audio” option.

Allow the troubleshooter to identify any problems with your computer’s sound and suggest the necessary solutions.

- Restart Windows’ Sound Services

When you encounter audio issues on your Windows PC, it could be due to various sound services running in the background that are causing the problem. One quick fix to resolve such issues is by restarting these services. This will eliminate minor glitches with the services that might be causing the sound problems.

To restart the services, begin by opening the "Run" dialog box by pressing Windows+R. Then, type "services.msc" in the box and press Enter.

This will open the "Services" window where you will see different Windows services listed on the right pane. Locate the "Windows Audio" item, right-click on it, and select "Restart."

In the same way, find the "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder" service, right-click on it, and select "Restart."

If you are having trouble with your computer's audio, it's possible that your sound drivers are to blame. In this case, you can try removing your current drivers and allowing Windows to install the latest ones for you. To do this, simply open Device Manager by right-clicking the "Start" menu icon and choosing "Device Manager." From there, expand the "Sound, Video and Game Controllers" option, locate your audio device, right-click it, and select "Uninstall Device."

To remove your audio device, start by opening the device manager and finding the audio device in question. Once you have located it, right-click the device and select “Uninstall.” In the open box, enable the “Attempt to Remove the Driver for This Device” option, then select “Uninstall.”

After you have successfully uninstalled your audio device, reboot your PC. Do this by opening the “Start” menu, clicking the “Power” icon, and choosing “Restart.”

When your PC turns back on, it will automatically reinstall the drivers for your audio device. This should resolve any issues you were experiencing with your audio.

However, if after trying all of these steps your audio problems persist, it’s possible that there is a problem with the audio hardware in your computer. If your computer is still under warranty, it’s best to contact your PC manufacturer about a repair or replacement. In the meantime, you can learn how to improve the audio quality of your laptop through a few hardware upgrades.

Check out our guide to the best computer speakers of 2023 for some inspiration!