Windows 11 lets you set a different volume for every app — no third-party tools required. You can silence a noisy browser tab, balance game audio against voice chat, or send one app to your headphones while another plays through your speakers, all from built-in controls.
This guide covers every native way to adjust per-app volume and route apps to different audio devices in Windows 11, plus how the same steps apply in Windows 10. All methods are verified on the current Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2 releases and work on every Windows 11 build through 2026.
Why Use Individual App Volume Control in Windows 11
- Avoid interruptions – Lower noisy apps like browsers or games without touching your call or music
- Balance audio sources – Set each app to its own level so nothing overpowers another
- Mute without closing – Silence a specific app instantly, no pause button needed
- Better meeting prep – Drop background app audio before a call starts
- Gaming + voice chat – Keep game sound and chat apps at separate, ideal levels
- Route audio to different devices – Send a movie to your TV while notifications stay on your headset
- No third-party tools needed – It is all built into Windows 11, free and always available
| Method | Steps to Open | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Settings Panel | Click speaker icon → arrow icon | Fast access without leaving the desktop |
| Right-Click Speaker Icon | Right-click speaker → Open volume mixer | Fastest single-action method |
| Settings App | Windows + I → System → Sound → Volume mixer | Volume + device routing in one screen |
| Classic Mixer (sndvol) | Windows + R → sndvol → Enter | Floating window during multitasking |
Every method below is a direct, built-in solution — pick whichever fits your workflow. They all open the same per-app sliders, so any one of them gets the job done.
Method 1: Using the Quick Settings Panel
Step 1: Click the speaker icon in the taskbar system tray (bottom-right of the screen).
Step 2: Click the small arrow icon next to the speaker on the volume slider row.
Step 3: The Sound output panel opens, showing spatial audio options and the Volume Mixer below.
Step 4: Scroll to the Volume Mixer. Each active app appears with its own slider.
Step 5: Drag the slider left to lower or right to raise. Changes apply instantly.
Method 2: Using the Volume Mixer via Right-Click
Step 1: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar system tray.
Step 2: Click Open volume mixer.
Step 3: The Volume Mixer opens with a slider for every active app.
Step 4: Drag a slider left to lower or right to raise that app’s volume.
Step 5: Repeat for any other apps.
Pro-Tip: If an app is missing, it is not currently making sound. Play something in it first, then reopen the mixer and it will appear.
Method 3: Using the Settings App
This opens a fuller Volume Mixer that manages both volume levels and per-app output devices in one place.
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Step 2: Click System, then Sound.
Step 3: Under the Advanced section, click Volume mixer.
Step 4: Every app making sound appears with its own slider. Drag any slider to adjust it independently.
Step 5: Each app also has an output device dropdown for routing it to a different speaker or headset — full steps in the next section.
Pro-Tip: This Settings mixer is the most complete view — volume and device routing for every app together in one screen.
Method 4: Using the Classic Volume Mixer (sndvol)
The classic mixer from older Windows versions still works in Windows 11 and is great for quick adjustments mid-task.
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: Type sndvol and press Enter.
Step 3: The classic mixer opens with vertical sliders for each active app.
Step 4: Drag the sliders up or down to adjust each app.
This mixer floats as a small, movable window that stays visible while you switch apps — ideal for quick tweaks without opening Settings.
How to Send Each App to a Different Audio Device in Windows 11
This is Windows 11’s biggest audio advantage over Windows 10: you can route each app to its own output or input device. Play a movie through your TV soundbar while notifications stay on your headset — all at the same time.
Step 1: Press Windows + I, then go to System > Sound > Volume mixer.
Step 2: Find the app you want to route.
Step 3: Use its Output device (or Input device) dropdown to pick a specific speaker, headset, or mic.
Step 4: Changes apply immediately — no save button needed.
Pro-Tip: This is the only built-in screen in Windows 11 where volume levels and per-app device routing appear together. Set both here instead of jumping between menus.
How to Mute a Specific App Without Closing It
Step 1: Open the Volume Mixer using any method above.
Step 2: Find the app you want to mute.
Step 3: Click the small speaker icon beside its slider.
Step 4: The icon shows a muted symbol. That app is silenced while everything else keeps playing.
Step 5: Click the same icon again to unmute.
This is perfect for silencing an auto-playing video without hunting through browser tabs for the pause button.
How to Access More Volume Settings From the Quick Settings Panel
Step 1: Click the speaker icon in the taskbar, then the arrow icon next to the volume slider.
Step 2: Click More volume settings at the bottom of the panel.
Step 3: The full Sound settings page opens with spatial audio, mono audio, and per-app output device controls.
Pro-Tip: The More volume settings link is the fastest route to advanced audio controls — no digging through menus.
What Is the Volume Mixer in Windows 11
The Volume Mixer is a built-in Windows 11 feature that lists every app currently making sound. Each app gets its own slider, separate from the system volume — like a mixing board where every channel moves independently.
One key detail: app volume levels are tied to the active output device. If you switch from speakers to headphones, the mixer may show different levels or look empty. Always confirm the right output device is selected before adjusting sliders.
No administrator rights are needed. Standard accounts can adjust per-app volume freely — the only exception is managed or corporate systems where group policy restricts audio settings.
Tips and Recommendations for Managing App Audio in Windows 11
Opening the Volume Mixer is one thing — using it well is another. These practical tips help you get the most out of Windows 11’s per-app audio controls, whether you run a home office, a gaming rig, or a laptop for streaming and calls.
Set App Volumes Before a Call or Meeting
A music player, browser tab, or background game can distract everyone on a call. Open the Volume Mixer a minute beforehand and drop non-essential apps to 20–30 percent, or mute them. With practice it takes under 30 seconds.
Use Different Output Devices for a Better Listening Experience
Windows 11 supports per-app routing. Send a movie to a TV or soundbar while notifications stay on a headset — at the same time. Open the Volume Mixer via Settings for those controls. Configure it once and manual device switching becomes unnecessary.
Treat the Volume Mixer Like a Routine Check
Audio settings drift over time. Updates can reset preferences, new apps default to full volume, and a muted app may quietly unmute after a restart. A quick Volume Mixer check — especially after a Windows update — keeps everything in order.
Lower Browser Volume for a Cleaner Audio Balance
Browsers are among the loudest culprits — auto-playing ads, videos, and notifications spike without warning. Set your browser to 60–70 percent as a baseline, then bump system volume temporarily when a video needs more. Far more predictable control overall.
Keep Gaming Audio Separate from Communication Apps
Balancing game sound against voice chat is a constant battle. Set the game in the Volume Mixer, then tune the chat app separately. Most gamers keep game audio at 50–70 percent and voice chat at 80–90 percent so game sound never drowns out conversation.
Avoid Maxing Out Individual App Volume Sliders
Pushing an app slider to 100 percent while system volume is also maxed can distort audio — laptop speakers especially. Keep app-level volume around 80–85 percent and use the master volume to raise overall output. This keeps sound clean and avoids crackling.
Use the Classic Mixer for Quick Multitasking Adjustments
The classic mixer (opened via Run) is faster for quick mid-task tweaks than any settings panel. It floats as a small, movable window — ideal when watching a movie while switching between a browser and a chat app.
Stop Windows from Auto-Lowering App Volume During Calls
Windows can automatically reduce other app volumes when it detects a call. If app volumes keep dropping during calls, this is usually why. To turn it off: search Sound in the Start menu and open the Control Panel version, go to the Communications tab, and change the setting to Do nothing.
Pair Volume Settings with Windows Focus Assist
Focus Assist suppresses notifications during work or gaming. Pair it with custom Volume Mixer settings: Focus Assist quiets notification sounds, and manually lowering the matching apps adds another layer — a distraction-free setup without cutting audio entirely.
Check Audio Drivers If App Sliders Go Missing
If apps that are clearly playing don’t appear in the mixer, a driver issue is often the cause. Generic or outdated drivers can hide sliders. Check Device Manager to confirm the sound device is listed normally — manufacturer drivers usually behave more reliably than generic Windows defaults, especially after a big update.
Volume Mixer Settings Are Not Always Permanent
Per-app settings stick as long as an app runs regularly, but some reset on startup or after updates. Double-check the slider each launch if a consistent volume balance matters. Media players and chat tools hold levels well; browsers and games shift more often.
Explore Windows 11 Sound Settings for Advanced Control
Beyond the mixer, the full Sound settings page adds spatial audio, a mono audio toggle, and per-device volume calibration. Spatial audio especially transforms music and games through headphones — and it works alongside your custom app volume levels without conflict.
For more helpful guides like this, check out the full collection of step-by-step guides covering audio, software, and system tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I adjust the volume of a specific app in Windows 11?
Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open volume mixer. Find the app and drag its slider left to lower or right to raise the volume. Only that app changes. You can also press Windows + I, then go to System, Sound, and Volume mixer for the same controls.
Why is an app not showing up in the Volume Mixer?
An app only appears while it is actively playing audio. Start playing sound in it, then reopen the mixer and it will show up. If it still doesn’t appear, an outdated or generic audio driver may be the cause — updating the sound driver in Device Manager usually fixes it.
Can different apps use different audio output devices in Windows 11?
Yes. Go to Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer. Each app has an Output device dropdown for assigning a specific speaker, headset, or audio device. Changes apply immediately.
Does changing app volume in the mixer affect the system volume?
No. Adjusting one app’s slider only changes that app’s level. The master system volume and all other apps stay unaffected.
How do you mute one app without muting everything in Windows 11?
Open the Volume Mixer, find the app, and click the small speaker icon beside its slider. This mutes only that app while everything else keeps playing. Click the same icon again to unmute.
Why does my app volume keep changing on its own in Windows 11?
A built-in communication setting automatically lowers other app volumes when it detects a voice call. To disable it, search Sound in the Start menu, open the Control Panel version, go to the Communications tab, and set it to Do nothing.
Do Volume Mixer settings reset after restarting Windows 11?
Windows 11 usually remembers per-app levels between restarts, but not always. Browsers and games are more likely to reset after relaunching, while apps like Teams or Zoom hold levels more reliably. Check the mixer after your first restart to confirm settings held.
Is there a faster way to open the Volume Mixer in Windows 11?
Right-clicking the speaker icon and choosing Open volume mixer is the fastest single-action method. For keyboard users, press Windows + R, type sndvol, and press Enter to open the classic mixer instantly.
How do I set the input device for a specific app in Windows 11?
Go to Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer. Each app shows an Input device dropdown. Select the preferred microphone or input source and the change applies immediately.
How do I reset all app volume levels to default in Windows 11?
Go to Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer and click the Reset button at the top. This restores every per-app volume level and device assignment to Windows defaults in one step. Note: Reset applies to all apps at once — there’s no built-in way to reset a single app.
Is there a Volume Mixer app for Windows 11 with more features?
Yes. The free tool EarTrumpet goes further than the built-in mixer, with a cleaner interface, quick taskbar access, and extra controls. Get it from the Microsoft Store — it works as a complete drop-in replacement at no cost.
How do I adjust volume in Windows 10?
Right-click the speaker icon and select Open volume mixer. A vertical panel opens with a slider for each active app. Drag any slider up or down. Note: Windows 10 doesn’t support per-app output device routing — that arrived in Windows 11. EarTrumpet from the Microsoft Store adds that feature to Windows 10 for free.
How do I adjust the volume of my speakers in Windows 11?
Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and drag the large volume slider left or right to control overall output. This master slider affects all system audio at once. To fine-tune individual apps, open the Volume Mixer separately — the two controls work independently.
Can I control app volume with keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11?
Windows 11 has no built-in shortcut to change a single app’s volume — the media keys only move the master volume. For per-app hotkeys, the free EarTrumpet app from the Microsoft Store adds that capability.
Does per-app volume control work for games and Microsoft Store apps?
Yes. Any app that produces sound — games, Microsoft Store apps, browsers, or desktop programs — shows up in the Volume Mixer with its own slider while it’s playing. If a game runs full-screen, alt-tab to the desktop to reach the mixer.
Why is the app volume slider grayed out or stuck in the Volume Mixer?
This usually means the app stopped making sound or the active output device changed. Confirm the app is still playing and the correct output device is selected at the top of the mixer. If it continues, updating your audio driver in Device Manager normally clears it.