I'm dealing with two audio issues on a Windows 11 PC. First, several sound options in System Settings are greyed out. Windows also displays a message saying it needs to be activated, so I'm wondering whether that could be responsible, although I've been told activation normally does not disable audio settings. I've already checked Device Manager, repeatedly uninstalled and reinstalled the audio driver, looked for updates, and installed the latest audio driver available from ASUS, but there are no warnings or obvious driver errors.
Second, after connecting a PS5 controller to the PC over USB, the audio suddenly became much quieter and seemed stuck around 80%, even though Windows and every application show the volume at 100%. Music played at maximum volume only fills roughly half of the volume indicator. What could cause this, and how can I restore the full output level?
3 Answers
The Windows activation notice is very unlikely to be causing this. Since Device Manager shows no warnings and reinstalling the ASUS driver did not help, check the selected playback device and the volume mixer. Windows may have switched to the controller, a monitor, or another audio output when the USB controller was connected. Make sure the intended speakers or headphones are selected as the default output and that the individual app volume is also at 100%.
If the settings are still greyed out, verify that the Windows Audio service is running and that no device-specific control panel or hardware mute setting is overriding Windows. Test the speakers or headphones with another device as well. That will help determine whether the issue is Windows configuration, the audio driver, or the output hardware itself.
Open the sound mixer and check the volume for the specific program producing audio, not just the main Windows volume. Also look at the output device listed for that app. A controller connection can cause Windows to change devices, and the new device may have a different maximum volume or its own volume setting.
I checked Device Manager and the mixer several times. The drivers have been removed and reinstalled, and I also installed the newest ASUS audio driver, but Windows reports no problems or available updates.