Windows 11 is the new upcoming OS from Microsoft that is slated to be the successor of Windows 10 with tons of new improved features. Windows 11 also comes with a revamped UI and a slew of new widgets, action items, action center, new themes and wallpapers, better gaming features, and much more.
While the new styling has been a much welcome addition in Windows 11, it has confused some users as well. Naturally, as the UI was changed, there were bound to be relocations of certain elements. So if you have been having trouble finding the audio switcher in Windows 11 then you are not alone. Here’s where you can find the audio switcher in Windows 11.
Where is the audio switcher in Windows 11?
You can find the Audio Switcher on Windows 11 under the Action Center. As shown in the GIF above, click any one of the WiFi, sound or battery icons on your taskbar in the top right to open the Action Center, and then click the arrow (>) next to the volume slider. Now, you can select the speaker of your choice.
How to change a Speaker on Windows 11
We have covered two ways to change the output device on Windows 11. One, using the action center on the taskbar, and second, using the Settings app. See below.
Method #01: Using Action Center
Click any one of the WiFi, sound or battery icons on your taskbar to access the ‘Action Center’.
Now click on the ‘>’ icon beside the Volume Slider.
You will now get a list of all the audio devices that can be switched for audio output.
Click and select the device of your choice and Windows will automatically switch audio to the selected device.
Method #02: Opening Volume Mixer from Action Center
Find the sound icon on the taskbar, and right-click on it.
Now, click Open volume mixer.
Click the dropdown for Output device and select your speaker from the list.
Method #03: Using the Settings app
Press ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard to open the ‘Settings’ app.
Now ensure ‘System’ is selected in the left sidebar and click on ‘Sound’.
Click on ‘Choose where to play sound’.
Now click and select the desired compatible device.
Audio will now start automatically playing through the selected device.
And that’s it! You should now be able to switch between your audio devices easily.
We hope you were able to get familiar with switching audio devices in Windows 11 using the guide above. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to us using the comments section below.
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Once again Microsoft hiding frequently used settings and forcing users to browse through unnecesary dialogues to get the same functionality previously available, but now with 1 or 2 additional clicks. Jeez! These guys do not really get it. Users want to make theirs lives simpler and easier, the OS being a simple way to get to productivity, not the tool by itself. It should be as transparent and unobtrusive as possible.
100% agree with Sergio. I have 4 different audio devices I use depending on the circumstance and I hate the new picker. The old one was so elegant and so much faster to use.