How to Switch Audio Output on Windows

Switch output from the taskbar

1. Click the speaker icon in the system tray.
2. On Windows 11, click the small arrow or the device name shown in the flyout to open a device list.
3. On Windows 10, click the speaker icon and use the 'Select a playback device' arrow next to the slider.
4. Choose the device you want; audio switches immediately for anything currently playing.

Switch output from Settings

1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
2. Under 'Output', open the dropdown and pick a different device.
3. Confirm the change with the 'Test' button if you want to hear a sample sound.

Switch output with EarTrumpet

EarTrumpet shows connected output devices as icons in the flyout; clicking a device makes it the new default in a single click, without opening Settings at all.

Switching output for just one app

To keep the system default unchanged but move only one app, use the per-app output dropdown described in the multiple audio devices guide.

What you need

Every method here uses tools already built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, so no download is required unless you want the EarTrumpet shortcut. The device you're switching to just needs to already be detected — plugged in, paired, or powered on — under Settings > System > Sound before it will appear in any of the lists below.

Alternative: switch using the classic Sound control panel

If the modern flyout or Settings page feels slow, press Win+R and run mmsys.cpl to open the older Sound control panel directly. On the Playback tab, right-click any listed device and choose 'Set as Default Device' — this works identically on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and has been part of Windows for well over a decade.

When switching output doesn't work

If a device is missing from every list, it likely isn't currently detected; check physical connections, or for Bluetooth, re-pair it under Settings > Bluetooth & devices. If the output switches but no sound plays, confirm the app itself isn't set to a specific device via its own settings, which would override the system default described in the multiple audio devices guide.

Persistent switching failures are sometimes a sign of a broader mixer problem rather than a device issue — see how to fix the Windows volume mixer if the device list itself won't open.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a keyboard shortcut to switch output devices?

Windows doesn't ship a default hotkey for switching output devices, though Win+Ctrl+V opens the Volume mixer where you can change per-app output on Windows 11.

Why does my headset disappear from the list?

Bluetooth headsets can drop from the list if they disconnect or go idle; reconnect them from Settings > Bluetooth & devices and they'll reappear.

Does switching output interrupt music that's already playing?

Most apps briefly pause or click when the output changes mid-playback; this is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Does switching the default output affect apps already using a different device?

No, apps that were explicitly set to a specific output device via the per-app dropdown stay on that device even after you change the system default.

Can I assign a keyboard shortcut to switch outputs myself?

Windows doesn't support custom hotkeys for this natively; third-party tools like AudioSwitcher add this, but that's outside the built-in options covered here.

Is there a difference between 'Output' and 'Default communication device'?

Yes — 'Output' is used for general playback, while 'Default communication device' is used specifically by calling apps; they can be set to different devices independently.