Since upgrading to Windows 11, we've experienced terrible audio issues.
Applications no longer play sounds as expected, unlike on Windows 10.
Logging into an application mutes the entire system.
Our call center software requires setting the default device to PC speakers and the default communication device to the headset, but this no longer works. To get audio working, we must disable all devices except the headset, which directs all sounds, including system and application sounds, into the headset, making communication difficult.
It's time for Microsoft to address these audio bugs. Given the time Windows 11 has been available, these issues should be resolved. We only upgraded because Windows 10 support was ending; otherwise, we wouldn't have, as it's been a nightmare.
Online searches and forum posts clearly show that Windows 11 audio issues are widespread. The generic troubleshooting responses from specialists are unhelpful, as most users already know these steps. We need more comprehensive support, and specialists should escalate these issues to Microsoft, as they're unable to resolve them.
I feel your pain I’ve seen many people struggling with audio issues in Windows 11. Let’s try to troubleshoot this step by step and see if we can find a solution.
First, let’s start with the basics. Have you tried updating your audio drivers to the latest version? Sometimes, outdated drivers can cause issues like this. You can do this by:
- Pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
- Right-click on your audio device (e.g., Realtek Audio or Conexant SmartAudio) and select Update driver.
- Follow the prompts to search for and install any available updates.
Next, let’s try to disable and re-enable the audio devices to see if that resolves the issue. To do this:
- Go back to the Device Manager and expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
- Right-click on each audio device (including the headset) and select Disable device.
- Wait for 10 seconds and then enable them again.
Regarding your call center software, it’s possible that the issue is related to the default device settings. Try setting the default device to the headset and the default communication device to the PC speakers. You can do this by:
- Right-clicking on the speaker icon in the system tray and selecting Open Sound settings.
- In the Sound settings, click on App volume and device preferences.
- In the App volume and device preferences, set the default device to the headset and the default communication device to the PC speakers.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it’s possible that there’s a specific conflict with your call center software. Have you tried reaching out to the software vendor for assistance? They may have specific guidance or patches for Windows 11 compatibility.
Finally, I agree with you that Microsoft should provide better support for these issues. If you haven’t already, consider submitting feedback through the Windows Feedback Hub. This can help raise awareness and prompt Microsoft to address these problems.
Let me know if any of these steps help resolve your audio issues. If not, we can continue to troubleshoot further