I'm having trouble with my Windows computer when it comes to audio output. I have it connected to a TV, a soundbar, an Oculus (which I usually keep unplugged), and my headset with a microphone. Whenever I plug in the headset, I get a prompt confirming it's connected, but my computer doesn't switch the audio to the headset automatically. It's been frustrating that Windows seems to assume which device I'm trying to use for sound. I'd prefer a setup where sound goes through all connected devices, allowing me to turn off or unplug the ones I'm not using. Why is this so complicated to manage? Am I the only one who expects this to be easier? Thanks!
4 Answers
Make sure to set the computer audio as the primary output in your audio settings instead of using digital audio or HDMI. This way, audio will switch automatically when you plug in your headset. I’m not sure if there’s a built-in option to output audio through all devices at once, unfortunately.
Just click the little speaker icon in your system tray and select the output devices you want. It’s all right there, but you might need to dig a bit to find it if you're not familiar with the settings.
I do that, but there’s always a bunch of things in the list that aren’t even plugged in or useful.
If you're dealing with audio management issues, you might find Voicemeeter to be a lifesaver. It lets you set it as your input/output device in Windows, and then you can control your headphones, speakers, and TV from there. The interface may be a bit tricky at first, but it's really user-friendly once you get the hang of it.
Thanks! I'll check that out as a potential solution.
Will Windows default all audio to Voicemeeter, then I manually select which devices to use?
A straightforward fix for sound problems on a Windows PC is to unplug everything and start fresh. But if you're relying on your microphone for games and chatting on Discord, just ditching the headset isn't practical. Having audio output through all devices and manually adjusting which ones are on feels way more logical to me as well.
Are you suggesting that I just forfeit any expectations of having sound when I play a game? Certain games require me to be on Discord and in-game chat. I’d rather have audio coming through all devices that are plugged in and just turn off the ones I don't want to use.
Thanks for your time.
Thank you, I can get it to work like that sometimes, but sometimes it just goes haywire and takes ages to fix.