How to play sounds or switch between two devices in Windows

Device links

• windows 11
• windows 10
• window 7
• Device missing?

Are you looking for a way to play sounds on two devices or switch between them in Windows? Many users often have more than one audio output device connected to their computers. Fortunately, Windows allows you to choose which output to use.

If you want to listen to lo-fi beats at work using headphones or have multiple output devices such as stereo speakers and gaming headsets, we’ve got you covered. This article describes how to play sounds on two devices running different versions of Windows.

Play sounds on 2 devices in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows you to play sounds from your programs or the entire system on different devices. For example, you can assign Windows notifications to speakers and play music through headphones. You will need to manage your settings to ensure that sounds play correctly.

These are the different methods to manage your audio devices in Windows 11.

Change the default audio output in Windows 11

Changing the default audio output is a relatively simple process. Follow the steps below to find out how:

1. Make sure your external devices are connected to your computer.
   
2. Open “Settings,” then click “System.”
   
3. Click on the “Sound” tab in the left sidebar.
   
4. In the “Output” section, tap “Choose where to play the sound.”
   
5. Select your preferred output device.
   

Change default output per application

Windows 11 allows users to isolate audio changes within its default menu. If you want to use a specific audio output for a specific application, here’s how to do it:

1. Make sure external devices are connected.
2. Gonna “System” in the settings menu.
   
3. In the left sidebar, select the “Sound” option.
   
4. Navigate to the “Advanced” section and choose the option “Volume mixer” setting.
   
5. Under “Applications,” choose the app whose default settings you want to change.
   
6. Find the output device you want in the “Output Device” section.
   

Pairing an audio output device in Windows 11

If you want to pair a new pair of speakers, headphones, or headphones with Windows 11, here’s the way to go:

1. Open “Settings” and go to “System” option.
   
2. Click on the “Sound” eyelash.
   
3. Find the “Pair a new output device” setting and click “Add device.”
   
4. Choose the “Bluetooth” option.
   
5. Select the “Wireless speakers” eyelash.

Setting the default sound output device using the Xbox Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar is an integrated, customizable gaming overlay that gives you access to game capture tools and audio controls. Follow these steps to learn how to set the default sound output device for the Game Bar:

1. Start the “Xbox Game Bar” application.
   
2. In the “Audio” window, open the “Mix” eyelash.
   
3. Click on the “Windows default output” Dropdown menu.
   
4. Select your headphones or speakers.
   

Please note that changes applied in Xbox Game Bar will be applied system-wide.

Play sounds on 2 devices in Windows 10

There are a few ways to play sounds on two devices in Windows 10. Some methods use the built-in system settings, but one uses a third-party app. Continue reading to learn more about your options.

Enable the Stereo Mix app

The Stereo Mix app is available to most Windows 10 users, but unfortunately, it is usually disabled by default. Before changing the setting, you need to make sure it is enabled.

1. Right click on the “Spokesman” icon in the system tray.
   
2. Select “Sounds.”
   
3. Open the “Recording” eyelash.
   
4. Right click on the empty white space in the window.
   
5. Select “Show disabled devices.”
   

You should now be able to see the “Stereo Mix” option. It will appear in the recording devices section. Enable the app by right-clicking on it and clicking “Enable.”

Using two devices with the Stereo Mix app

1. Select the “Stereo mix” option and click “Properties” to open the “Stereo Mix Properties” menu.
   
2. Select the “Hear” eyelash.
   
3. Add a check to “Listen to this device” option.
   
4. Select the second playback device that appears in the “Play this device” drop-down menu.
   
5. Click on the “Apply” button and then “OK” in both the “Stereo Mix Properties” window and the “Sound” window.
   
6. Restart your computer.

Windows will then automatically play the audio from your primary audio device and the one you selected from the “Play on this device” drop-down menu.

Play sounds from specific apps

If you want to select the audio output for a specific software, follow these steps:

1. Right click on “Audio” icon in the system tray.
   
2. Select the “Open sound settings” option.
   
3. Tap on the “App volume and device settings” option.
4. Click on the “Production” drop-down menu to select the connected playback device.
   

Change audio output device using SoundSwitch

If the above two options are not suitable for you, you can try the SoundSwitch app. Follow these steps to find out how:

1. Download the “sound switch“ app and follow the instructions to install it.
   
2. Launch the application by clicking “Sound switch” in the system tray or by pressing the button “Ctrl+Alt+F11” default shortcut.
   
3. Select the “Settings” eyelash.
   
4. Open the “Reproduction” and choose the audio devices you want to use for playback. You can also choose your “Recording” tab devices if you want.
   
5. Select the “Settings” tab and choose which icons (“Reproduction,” “Recording,” “Default,” either “Both”) to display in the system tray.
   
6. Once everything is set up, click on the “Near” button in the bottom right section or the “X” in the upper right section.
   

Play sounds on 2 devices in Windows 7

Windows 7 doesn’t have the same settings as Windows 10 and Windows 11, so playing sounds on two devices can be a challenge. However, you can still use the “Stereo Mix” recording app to adjust your audio output.

1. Click on the “Sound” icon on the taskbar, then select the “Playback devices” option.
2. Select the “Demonstrator audio device” and configure it as “Default” device.
3. Click on the “Recording” tab and select the “Stereo mix” option.
4. Make sure that “Show disabled devices” and “Show disconnected devices” They are proven.
5. Click on the “Stereo mix” option once more, then select the “Properties” eyelash.
6. In the “Listen” tab, check the “Listen to this device” box.
7. Select the audio device you want from the pop-up section.

Use SoundSwitch in Windows 7

If the first method doesn’t work for you, you can try the SoundSwitch app. The simple open source device playback management application allows users to switch between audio sources with a simple interface. That is how:

1. Download the “sound switch” app and install it.
2. Open the app via system tray icon or default “Ctrl+Alt+F11” shortcut.
3. Select the audio devices you want to use for playback.

Can you hear it?

Forwarding audio to two devices in Windows may seem daunting, but it’s relatively simple once you know where to look. In most cases, you can use the built-in settings, either the default audio menu or the Stereo Mix app. However, if you want to simplify the process, it may be better to use a third-party app like SoundSwitch.

Have you tried any of the methods in this article? Have you ever played sound on two devices on your Windows computer? Share your experiences in the comments section below.