How to Change Output Devices for Different Apps in Windows 11
As we’ve mentioned, you don’t need to install any software to have your Windows 11 computer play different audio through different devices. To change the output device for each app, we’ll use the volume mixer.
Here’s how to set it up:
Connect and test the Bluetooth speaker or headphone set that you’re using and make sure they’re working properly. You can even connect multiple Bluetooth audio devices to your Windows computer. Open the apps and start playing the media content. Let’s say you’re listening to a podcast on YouTube. If you mute the tab or pause the podcast, your browser will not show up in the audio mixer. With the audio playing, press the Win + I to bring up the Windows Settings menu. There, head to System and select Sound. Scroll down to Advanced and open Volume mixer. You should see the apps playing media content and the default output devices for each one of them. Extend the Output drop-down menu and select a new device.
Before closing Volume Mixer, you should adjust the volume for each app to ensure you haven’t set the audio volume too low and thus won’t hear anything.
How to Reset the Volume Mixer
Windows 11 will remember your sound settings and keep playing the audio through the app’s selected output device as long as the device is connected to your computer. If you want to go back to the default settings, open Volume Mixer, as shown above, scroll down, and click Reset.
Different Devices, Different Sound
Hopefully, you’re now hearing the video game’s audio through your headphones while someone in the room listens to a podcast at the same time.
Now that you’ve got this set up, why not explore other ways you can customize your Windows audio? For instance, you can have two different devices play the same audio content.
