Have you ever been working, gaming, or streaming when a random app suddenly blasts sound through your speakers? Annoying, right? Luckily, Windows 11 makes it super easy to mute individual applications without muting your entire system.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to mute an application in Windows 11 step by step, plus share some extra tips for managing sound per app. Whether it’s a chat notification in Discord, a noisy browser tab, or background music from Spotify, you’ll have full control over your audio.
Why Mute Applications in Windows 11?
Muting apps is useful when you want:
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Focus at work → mute social media notifications.
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Better gaming experience → silence background apps while keeping game sound.
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Smooth streaming → avoid unwanted sounds in OBS or while screen-sharing.
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Personal preference → lower Spotify volume while keeping YouTube loud.
Windows 11 gives you per-app audio control, so you don’t have to mute everything at once.
How to Mute an Application in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)
The easiest way is through the Volume Mixer.
Step 1: Open the Volume Mixer
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Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner).
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Select Open Volume mixer.
Or, go to:Settings > System > Sound > Volume Mixer.
Step 2: Find the Application
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In the Volume Mixer, you’ll see a list of apps currently using audio.
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Example: Chrome, Spotify, Discord, or your game.
Step 3: Mute or Adjust Volume
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Click the speaker icon under the app to mute it.
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Or, drag the volume slider down to adjust its volume.
🎉 Done! That app will stay muted until you unmute it.
Alternative Ways to Mute Apps in Windows 11
Using Taskbar Right-Click Options
Some apps like Microsoft Teams or Discord have built-in mute controls.
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Right-click the app icon on the taskbar.
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Look for “Mute” or “Disable sound notifications.”
Using Third-Party Tools
For advanced audio control, you can try apps like:
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EarTrumpet → Modern volume mixer with shortcuts.
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Voicemeeter → Pro-level sound mixing tool.
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CheVolume → Lets you redirect sound per app (paid).
How to Mute a Browser Tab (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
Sometimes it’s not the browser itself, but a specific tab that’s noisy.
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Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge: Right-click the tab → Select Mute site.
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Firefox: Right-click the tab → Select Mute Tab.
👉 Perfect for muting autoplay videos or ads.
How to Set Default Volume Levels for Apps
Want certain apps always quieter or muted?
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Open Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
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Scroll to App volume and device preferences.
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Set default volume per app.
Windows will remember these preferences for next time.
Troubleshooting: Can’t See App in Volume Mixer
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The app must be actively playing sound to appear in Volume Mixer.
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If it doesn’t show up:
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Restart the app.
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Restart your PC.
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Check if the app has its own sound settings.
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Key Takeaways
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Use Volume Mixer to mute or adjust sound per application.
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Browser tabs can be muted individually.
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Windows 11 remembers app volume settings.
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Third-party tools offer even more control.
Conclusion
Learning how to mute an application in Windows 11 gives you full control over your sound environment. Whether you’re gaming, working, or watching a movie, you can silence distractions without affecting the whole system.
So next time a random notification pops up or a website starts auto-playing music, you’ll know exactly how to handle it.
FAQs
1. Can I mute multiple applications at once in Windows 11?
Yes, just open Volume Mixer and mute each app individually.
2. Does Windows 11 remember muted apps after restart?
Yes, it usually remembers volume levels, but some apps may reset on reboot.
3. Can I mute only one browser tab instead of the whole browser?
Yes, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox let you mute tabs separately.
4. Is there a shortcut to mute apps in Windows 11?
Not by default, but third-party tools like EarTrumpet provide hotkeys.
5. Why can’t I see my app in Volume Mixer?
The app only appears if it’s currently outputting sound. Restarting it often helps.