How to Change Audio Output in Windows 10

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After installing a new device, or perhaps plugging an HDMI cable into your graphics adapter, your default speaker output could change. When something like this happens, you will need to know how to change audio the output in Windows 10.

Updates and upgrades happen that sometimes cause our default speakers to change. You won’t have any sound out your desired speakers until you change the default speaker settings back or to your desired speaker output.

Follow this easy process in order to get the audio output to where you want it.

Steps on how to change the audio output

1. Open the Sound Settings window

speaker icon in system tray

Right-click on the speaker symbol in your system tray area near the time and date. Left-click on the ‘Open Sound settings’ menu option.

open sound settings from contextual menu

2. Open the list of devices in the drop-down box

click on drop down box

Left-click on the arrow on the right side of the drop-down box under ‘Choose your output device’.

3. Select your device

select default audio device to change audio output

Left-click on the device from the list that you wish to have your sound set to.

Changing audio output in the Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel

Open the Control Panel, if you are unsure how to open it, refer to our other article on opening the Control Panel.

2. Open the Sound window

type in sound and click on sound

Type in ‘sound’ in the search bar in the top right corner in the Control Panel. Left-click on ‘Sound’.

3. Select your default device

set the default device from contextual menu

Right-click on the device you want as the default device, and from the contextual menu, left-click on ‘Set as default device’.

Click on the ‘OK’ button to save your setting.

Conclusion

Changing the audio output doesn’t happen often and is usually only necessary when something gets changed in your system.

I hope this article was presented in a way that was easy for you to change your audio output. If you aren’t sure if your speakers are faulty or if it’s an audio setting, try plugging in your headphones in the speaker’s place to test the output.

It could save you some time in diagnosing what the problem is. It’s also an easy and quick test to make sure, before changing anything.