EarTrumpet

How to Set a Default Audio Device on Windows

The 'default' audio device is whichever speaker, headphone, or microphone Windows uses unless an app is told to use something else. Setting it correctly avoids having to redirect apps individually every time you plug something in.

This guide covers setting the default manually and stopping Windows from switching it automatically when a new device connects.

Set the default output device

  1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
  2. Under 'Output', click the dropdown labeled 'Choose your output device'.
  3. Select the device you want as default from the list.
  4. Confirm the change plays through the right device using the 'Test' button.

Set the default input (microphone) device

  1. In the same Settings > System > Sound page, scroll to 'Input'.
  2. Open the dropdown and choose your preferred microphone.
  3. Speak briefly and check the input level bar responds to confirm it's correct.

Stop Windows from switching the default automatically

  1. In Settings > System > Sound, click 'More sound settings' or scroll to advanced options.
  2. Find the 'App volume and device preferences' page and look for automatic switching options, or open the classic Sound control panel via mmsys.cpl.
  3. On the Playback tab, right-click a device and choose 'Set as Default Device', which pins it until you change it manually again.

Setting a default per app instead

If you'd rather keep the system default flexible but pin one app to a specific device, use the per-app output dropdown covered in the multiple audio devices guide instead.

What you need

No installation is required; every step uses Settings or the classic Sound control panel already on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Make sure the device you want as default is already detected and connected before starting.

Alternative: use the classic Sound control panel

Press Win+R and run mmsys.cpl for the older Playback and Recording tabs, where right-clicking a device gives 'Set as Default Device' and 'Set as Default Communication Device' as two separate options.

If the default won't stay set

If Windows keeps switching back to a different device, it's usually reacting to a device reconnecting or waking up; check for automatic-switching settings under advanced Sound options. For per-app routing instead of a single default, see how to use multiple audio devices, and for general troubleshooting when devices misbehave, see how to manage app audio on Windows.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my default device keep changing when I plug in headphones?

Windows automatically switches the default output to the most recently connected device by design; set it manually afterward if you don't want this behavior.

Is there a separate default for calls versus media?

Windows 10 and 11 both offer a 'Default communication device' setting alongside the regular default, used specifically for calls and voice apps.

Can EarTrumpet set the default device faster?

Yes, EarTrumpet's flyout lists connected devices and lets you click one to make it default without opening Settings.

Can I set different defaults for output and input?

Yes, output and input defaults are set independently in Settings > System > Sound.

Does the default device setting sync across user accounts?

No, it's stored per Windows user profile, so each account on the same PC can have its own default.

Is there a way to lock the default device so nothing can change it?

Windows doesn't offer a hard lock; disabling automatic switching under advanced sound options is the closest built-in option.

Download EarTrumpet to switch defaults in one click.