How to Control App Volume on Windows 11

Open the Volume mixer with a shortcut

1. Press Win+Ctrl+V from anywhere in Windows 11.
2. The Volume mixer opens directly, skipping the tray flyout entirely.
3. Scroll to the 'Apps' section to see every app with a recent audio session.

Open the Volume mixer from Settings

1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
2. Scroll to 'Volume mixer' under the Advanced section and click it.
3. Adjust each app's slider independently of the master output slider at the top.

Change an app's output device on Windows 11

1. In the Volume mixer, click the device dropdown next to the app.
2. Select a different connected output device.
3. The app immediately switches to that device for future audio.

Faster switching with EarTrumpet

EarTrumpet on Windows 11 puts the same sliders and device dropdowns into the flyout you get from clicking the speaker icon, avoiding the Settings app altogether.

What you need

This works on any current Windows 11 build with a working audio driver; no extra installation is required for the built-in mixer. If you want the flyout shortcut, install EarTrumpet first from the Windows 11 EarTrumpet page.

Alternative: the legacy sndvol mixer

Windows 11 still ships the older sndvol mixer. Press Win+R, type sndvol, and press Enter for a simpler per-app slider list — useful if the redesigned mixer is slow to open.

If app volume control isn't working on Windows 11

If Win+Ctrl+V doesn't open anything, the shortcut may be remapped by another app; open the mixer through Settings > System > Sound instead. For a full troubleshooting sequence when a specific app's slider won't respond, see how to fix app volume that won't change, and for a broader look at managing every app's audio in one place, see how to manage app audio on Windows.

Frequently asked questions

Is Win+Ctrl+V a Windows 11-only shortcut?

Yes, this shortcut for opening the Volume mixer directly was introduced with the Windows 11 mixer redesign and isn't available on Windows 10.

Can I pin the Volume mixer for faster access?

Windows doesn't offer a way to pin the mixer itself, but you can pin Settings > Sound or rely on the keyboard shortcut instead.

Does the Windows 11 mixer look different from Windows 10's?

Yes, Windows 11 uses a redesigned Fluent UI layout with sliders grouped by output device, while Windows 10 lists apps in a simpler flat list.

Does Win+Ctrl+V work if the Volume mixer is pinned to the taskbar?

Yes, the shortcut opens the mixer regardless of whether it's pinned; pinning just adds a visible icon for mouse access.

Can I resize the Windows 11 Volume mixer window?

The mixer opens as a fixed-size flyout rather than a resizable window, so its layout is consistent regardless of screen size.

Does the Windows 11 mixer show Bluetooth devices the same way as wired ones?

Yes, any connected device — wired, USB, or Bluetooth — appears the same way in the device dropdown next to each app.