How to change Default Sound Output Device in Windows 10

When you connect speakers, headphones, Bluetooth headset, or other audio devices to your PC, you can select which device you want to use by default. In this post, we will show you how to change default Sound Output Device in Windows 10.

Change Default Sound Output Device

We can change default Sound Output Device in Windows 10 in 4 quick and easy ways. We’ll explore this topic under the methods outlined below in this section:

1. Via Volume icon on Taskbar
2. Via Settings app
3. Via Control Panel
4. Via Game Bar

Let’s take a look at the description of the step-by-step process in relation to each of the method.

1] Change Default Sound Output Device via Volume icon on Taskbar

To change Default Sound Output Device via Volume icon on Taskbar in Windows 10, do the following:

• Click on the Volume icon on the taskbar notification area.
• Click on the chevron (upward pointing arrow head) above the master volume control.

Note: You will not see an expansion arrow if you do not have multiple audio playback devices.

• Click the playback device you want to use from the menu. Windows will then switch to it.

2] Change Default Sound Output Device via Settings app

To change Default Sound Output Device via Settings app in Windows 10, do the following:

• Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
• Tap or click System.
• Click Sound on the left pane.
• On the right pane, under Choose your output device section, click the drop-down and select the output device you want.

Note: You will not be able to choose if you do not have multiple audio playback devices.

3] Change Default Sound Output Device via Control Panel

To change Default Sound Output Device via Control Panel in Windows 10, do the following:

• Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
• In the Run dialog box, copy and paste the command below and hit Enter to open Sound settings.

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,0

To set the default playback/sound output device, do one of the actions below:

• Right-click the playback device, and click on Set a Default Device.
• Select a playback device, and either:

Click on Set Default to set for both “Default Device” and “Default Communications Device”.

Click on the drop menu arrow to the right of Set Default, and click on Default Device.

Click on the drop menu arrow to the right of Set Default, and click on Default Communication Device. This will not be the “Default Device”.

• Click OK when done.
• Exit Sound settings panel.

4] Change Default Sound Output Device via Game Bar

To change Default Sound Output Device via Game Bar in Windows 10, do the following:

• Press Windows key + G to open Game Bar.
• Select the default audio output device you want.

Note: You will not be able to choose if you do not have multiple audio output devices.

That’s it!