Using the Windows 11 Volume Mixer
The Windows 11 volume mixer replaced the old floating mixer window with a page inside Settings, giving each running app its own volume slider and output device selector. It's the fastest built-in way to manage sound per app without installing anything extra.
Here's how to open it, what each control does, and how it compares to the legacy sndvol.exe mixer that still ships with Windows.
Opening the Windows 11 volume mixer
- Press Win+Ctrl+V to jump straight to the Volume mixer page.
- Or right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume mixer.
- Or navigate manually to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
Reading the mixer layout
At the top is the master output volume and default device selector. Below that is a list of every app currently outputting or capable of outputting audio, each with its own slider, mute button, and an output device dropdown.
Changing an app's output device
Click the dropdown beneath an app's name to send its audio to a different speaker, headset, or virtual device — useful for keeping a video call on a headset while other apps play through speakers. This behavior is unique to the modern mixer; see the Windows 11 sound mixer comparison for what the legacy version can't do.
Comparing it to the legacy mixer
The classic mixer (run sndvol) shows a similar slider layout in a small floating window, but it lacks per-app device routing. Windows 11's Settings-based mixer is the more capable of the two.
Sorting out apps that share one entry
Browsers and some launchers register a single audio session for all their windows or tabs, so the mixer shows one slider covering everything from that process. There is no built-in way to split it further per tab or window.
When the mixer resets or forgets settings
Volume mixer levels are tied to an app's process name and can reset after updates or reinstalls. If sliders keep resetting or apps vanish from the list, see fixing the Windows volume mixer.
A tray-based alternative
Because the Settings mixer takes a few clicks to reach, some users prefer EarTrumpet, which keeps the same per-app sliders one click away from the system tray at all times, alongside quick access to volume settings and playback devices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for the Windows 11 volume mixer?
Win+Ctrl+V opens the Volume mixer page directly.
Can the Windows 11 volume mixer route apps to different speakers?
Yes, each app row has a dropdown to choose its own output device.
Why did an app disappear from the volume mixer?
Apps only appear while they are actively capable of playing audio; closed apps or apps that haven't initialized audio yet won't be listed.
Is sndvol.exe still available in Windows 11?
Yes, the legacy mixer still exists and can be launched by typing sndvol in the Run dialog.
Can I split volume per browser tab in the mixer?
No, the mixer treats the whole browser process as one app with a single slider.
Does the volume mixer let me set a permanent per-app default?
No, levels are remembered only as long as Windows recognizes the same running process; there's no separate saved profile system.
Want the mixer without digging through Settings? Download EarTrumpet for instant tray access.