Windows 11 audio · Updated October 16, 2026

How to Reset Sound Settings on Windows 11

Windows 11 has no single “reset all audio” button, so a full reset is a ladder of six steps. This guide shows exactly what each step resets, the Settings, Control Panel, CMD and PowerShell routes, and how to stop settings from changing again.

6 reset levelsSpeakers · Mic · BluetoothCMD and PowerShellWindows 10 note

How to reset sound settings on Windows 11: volume mixer, Restore Defaults and audio driver reset — Reset Windows 11 sound settings from the volume mixer to the audio driver.

Quick Answer: Reset in 60 Seconds

✅

The fastest real reset

Press Windows + I → System → Sound → Volume mixer → under “Reset sound devices and volumes for all apps to the recommended defaults,” click Reset. A tick appears when done. For one device’s own settings, open More sound settings (or run mmsys.cpl), double-click the device, and click Restore Defaults on the Advanced tab (and on Enhancements and Spatial sound if you see them).

That covers most “my volume or sound is wrong” cases. If a setting keeps changing back, jump to Why sound settings keep resetting. Microsoft’s partners such as Lenovo publish the same Volume mixer path.

Reset Planner

What do you want to reset? Pick one and the matching levels are highlighted below.

What Each Reset Actually Does

Know the effect before you click. Levels 1 to 4 do not remove drivers.

Level	Resets	Keeps	Risk
1 · Volume mixer	App volumes and per-app device choices	Drivers, device properties	None
2 · Restore Defaults	One device’s format, enhancements, exclusive mode, spatial sound	Other devices, drivers	Low
3 · System sounds	Sound scheme and startup sound	Everything else	None
4 · Audio services	Nothing saved. Restarts the audio engine	All settings	None
5 · Audio driver	Driver and device entry. Vendor-app settings may reset	Windows and files	Low–Medium
6 · Troubleshoot and repair	Corrupt system files	Your settings	Low

⚠️

You do not need Reset this PC for a sound problem. Microsoft does not document a registry or one-line command that resets all audio settings, and deleting audio keys by hand can leave devices missing. Use Level 5 instead.

The 6 Reset Levels, Step by Step

Go in order and stop when the sound is right. Menu names can differ slightly between Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2.

1Reset the volume mixer and app volumes1 minApps and routingRecommended▾

Press Windows + I, then go to System → Sound.
Scroll to Advanced and open Volume mixer. Or run ms-settings:apps-volume.
Under the Apps section, click Reset next to “Reset sound devices and volumes for all apps to the recommended defaults.”
A tick next to the button confirms it. Then set your master volume and each device’s volume.

💡

Windows 10: Settings → System → Sound → App volume and device preferences → Reset. To check an app, open it once and see that it plays through the right output device.

2Restore Defaults on each sound device3 minFormat, enhancements, spatial soundRecommended▾

Open Settings → System → Sound → More sound settings, or press Windows + R and run mmsys.cpl.
On Playback (speakers, headphones) or Recording (microphone), double-click the device.
Open the Advanced tab and click Restore Defaults. This returns the default format and the exclusive-mode choices.
If the Enhancements and Spatial sound tabs exist, click Restore Defaults on each. If Enhancements is missing, see the fix below.
Check the Levels tab for volume and balance, click Apply, then right-click the device and choose Set as Default Device.

Repeat for every device you use. A Bluetooth headset can appear twice, once for music and once for calls, so reset both entries.

3Reset system sounds and the startup sound2 minNotification and startup soundsRecommended▾

Run mmsys.cpl and open the Sounds tab. You can also use Settings → Personalization → Themes → Sounds.
Set Sound Scheme to Windows Default.
Tick or clear Play Windows Startup sound to turn the startup chime on or off.
Click Apply and OK. Use Test on an event to hear it.

4Restart the Windows audio services2 minCMD, PowerShell or ServicesRecommended▾

This reloads the audio engine without changing your settings. It fixes no sound, greyed-out options and stuck volume. Services involved: Windows Audio (Audiosrv) and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder (AudioEndpointBuilder).

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
Right-click Windows Audio → Restart. Confirm that Startup type is Automatic in Properties.
Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder. Restarting it also stops Windows Audio, so start Windows Audio again afterward.

Run Command Prompt as administrator.

Command Prompt (Admin)

net stop audiosrv
net stop AudioEndpointBuilder
net start AudioEndpointBuilder
net start audiosrv

Run PowerShell as administrator.

PowerShell (Admin)

Stop-Service Audiosrv -Force
Stop-Service AudioEndpointBuilder -Force
Start-Service AudioEndpointBuilder
Start-Service Audiosrv

If the services will not start, go to Level 6 first, then Level 5.

5Reset the audio driver10 minFixes missing devices and tabsRecommended▾

Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers and Audio inputs and outputs.
Right-click your audio device (for example Realtek Audio) → Uninstall device. Do not tick “Attempt to remove the driver” unless you already have the maker’s installer.
Restart the PC. Windows reinstalls a driver on boot.
If the problem began after an update, instead right-click the device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver.
For lasting stability, install the audio driver from your laptop or motherboard maker (Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, Surface).
Bluetooth: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → your headset → Remove device, then pair it again.

⚠️

After a driver reset, vendor audio-app settings such as Realtek Audio Console or Dolby profiles may return to default. Note them first if you tuned them.

6Run the audio troubleshooter and repair Windows15 minLast stepRecommended▾

Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run Audio.
Install pending updates in Settings → Windows Update, then restart.
For a microphone, check Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and make sure access is on for the app.
Run the repair commands below in an administrator terminal, one at a time, then restart.

Terminal (Admin)

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Why Sound Settings Keep Resetting

If settings change back after a reset, something is rewriting them. Match the clue to the cause.

Clue	Likely cause	Fix
Volume jumps when Spotify, Discord or a game opens	App has exclusive control of the device	`mmsys.cpl` → device → Properties → Advanced → untick both exclusive-mode boxes
Volume drops during calls	Windows lowers other sound on communication activity	`mmsys.cpl` → Communications tab → Do nothing
Mic level falls or jumps in Zoom, Teams or Meet	App auto-adjusts mic gain	Turn off “Automatically adjust microphone settings” in the app
Volume or mute changes by itself	Vendor or effects software (for example ASUS Armoury Crate, FxSound)	Close or update the tool and test again
Sound is odd after enhancements are on	Audio enhancements or spatial sound	Turn enhancements and spatial sound off, then Restore Defaults
Sound jumps to the monitor or headset	Windows picks a newly detected HDMI, DisplayPort or Bluetooth device	Set your default device again; disable unused outputs in `mmsys.cpl`
One channel returns to a low level on boot	Balance reset by a USB driver	Device → Properties → Levels → Balance, then Level 5
Settings vanish after updates	Windows swaps or drops the driver	Level 5 with the maker’s driver

No Enhancements Tab in Windows 11 Sound Settings

This is common. The classic Enhancements tab only appears when the device uses certain drivers. Vendor drivers such as Realtek often move those controls elsewhere or hide them.

Check the Advanced tab and Settings. In Settings → System → Sound, click the device itself. Newer builds show audio enhancement options on that page.
Open the vendor app. Realtek Audio Console, Dolby Access or the laptop maker’s audio app holds the effects.
Update or reinstall the driver (Level 5).
Switch to the Windows driver. Device Manager → right-click the Realtek audio device → Update driver → Browse my computer → Let me pick from a list → High Definition Audio Device → Next. The tab often returns, but vendor-only effects are lost.

Reset for Your Situation

Situation	What to do
Bluetooth headphones or Jabra headset	Remove the device and pair again. Restore Defaults for both the Stereo and Hands-Free entries.
Laptop (Lenovo, HP, Dell, Surface, Samsung)	Levels 1 and 2, then use the maker’s audio driver and app (Level 5).
Gaming PC or headset	Turn off spatial sound and exclusive mode, then check the headset’s own software. Xbox, PS5 and Quest have their own settings, which this reset does not change.
Virtual machine (VirtualBox, VMware)	The VM uses a virtual sound card. Check the audio device in the VM’s settings, then run Levels 1 and 2 inside the guest.
Zoom, Teams, Chrome	Check the app’s own mic and speaker choice. For Chrome, also check the site’s sound and mic permission.
Reset option greyed out or settings will not open	Restart the audio services (Level 4). Open settings directly with `ms-settings:sound`, then try Levels 5 and 6.
Sound resets on startup	Check the startup sound (Level 3), disable startup items that touch audio, then Level 5.

Quick Commands and Shortcuts

Goal	Command or path
Open Sound settings	`ms-settings:sound` or right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings
Open Volume mixer	`ms-settings:apps-volume`
Classic Sound panel	`mmsys.cpl`
Device Manager	`devmgmt.msc`
Services	`services.msc`
Restart audio	`net stop audiosrv` then `net start audiosrv`
Repair Windows	`sfc /scannow` and `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset all sound settings on Windows 11?

Windows 11 has no single button. Reset the volume mixer, click Restore Defaults on each device, reset the sound scheme, restart the audio services, and if needed reinstall the audio driver.

Is there a “reset sound settings” button in Windows 11?

Yes, in two places. Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer has a Reset button for app volumes and devices, and each device’s properties have Restore Defaults on the Advanced, Enhancements and Spatial sound tabs.

How do I reset sound settings using CMD or PowerShell?

There is no official one-line reset. The closest commands restart the audio services: net stop audiosrv, net stop AudioEndpointBuilder, then net start AudioEndpointBuilder and net start audiosrv in an administrator window. They do not clear saved settings.

Can I reset sound settings in the registry?

Microsoft does not document a registry reset for audio, and deleting audio keys manually can leave devices missing. Uninstall the audio device in Device Manager and restart instead.

How do I reset sound settings to default on Windows 10?

Open Settings → System → Sound → App volume and device preferences and click Reset. Then use Restore Defaults in each device’s properties.

How do I reset my microphone settings on Windows 11?

Run Level 1, then open mmsys.cpl → Recording → your mic → Properties → Advanced → Restore Defaults. Also check Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and the app’s own mic setting.

Why do my sound settings keep resetting on Windows 11?

Usual causes are apps with exclusive control, communication ducking, mic auto-gain in call apps, vendor audio software, audio enhancements, automatic device switching, or a driver that Windows replaces during updates.

How do I fix the missing Enhancements tab?

Check the device page in Settings and your vendor audio app, update or reinstall the driver, or switch to the Windows High Definition Audio Device driver. The last option can remove vendor-only effects.

Will resetting sound settings delete my audio driver?

No. Levels 1 to 4 keep the driver. Only Level 5 removes and reinstalls it, and Windows normally installs a working one after restart.

How do I reset sound settings for Bluetooth headphones?

Click Restore Defaults on the headset’s entries in mmsys.cpl, then remove the device in Settings → Bluetooth & devices and pair it again.

How do I reset the startup sound?

Run mmsys.cpl, open the Sounds tab, set the scheme to Windows Default and tick or clear Play Windows Startup sound.

Do I need to reset the PC to fix sound?

No. Work through the six levels first. Reset this PC is almost never needed for a sound problem.

What about Windows 10?

The same ideas work, but the volume mixer reset is under App volume and device preferences. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so keep updates installed or plan a move to Windows 11.

Bottom line

Start with the volume mixer Reset, then Restore Defaults on the device you use. If something still misbehaves, restart the audio services, and only then reinstall the driver. If settings keep changing, find the app or utility that is controlling the device, since a reset alone will not stop it.