Ever wanted to play music on your speakers while keeping a Zoom call on your headphones? Or maybe you’re a gamer who wants game sounds through one device and voice chat through another. With Windows 11, you can use multiple audio outputs at the same time — and it’s easier than you might think.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step by step how to use multiple audio outputs in Windows 11, explore built-in options, and even show you advanced methods with third-party tools.
Key Takeaways
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Windows 11 allows you to set different output devices for apps.
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You can use the Sound settings or App Volume and Device Preferences to control outputs.
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Third-party tools like Voicemeeter give even more flexibility.
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Perfect for gamers, streamers, musicians, and multitaskers.
Why Use Multiple Audio Outputs in Windows 11?
Here are a few common scenarios where multiple audio outputs are useful:
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🎧 Gaming – Send game audio to speakers and chat audio to a headset.
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🎶 Music + Work – Play background music through speakers while keeping video calls in headphones.
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🎙 Streaming/Recording – Route different audio sources separately for better control.
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🏠 Home Setup – Play movies on a TV via HDMI while also listening on Bluetooth headphones.
Step 1: Connect Your Audio Devices
Make sure all the devices you want to use are connected and recognized:
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Plug in your headphones, speakers, or USB audio devices.
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Connect Bluetooth devices via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device.
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Confirm they appear under Settings > System > Sound > Output.
👉 If you don’t see a device, install its drivers or reconnect it.
Step 2: Set Your Primary Output Device
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Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
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Select Sound settings.
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Under Choose where to play sound, pick your main output device.
This device will play audio by default unless you set app-specific outputs.
Step 3: Assign Different Outputs for Different Apps
Here’s where the magic happens:
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Open Settings with Windows + I.
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Go to System > Sound.
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Scroll down and click Advanced sound options (App volume and device preferences).
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You’ll see a list of apps currently playing audio.
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For each app, select a different Output device from the dropdown menu.
👉 Example:
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Spotify → Speakers
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Zoom → Headset
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Game → HDMI TV
Now each app uses its own audio output.
Step 4: Use the Volume Mixer for Quick Switching
Windows 11’s volume mixer lets you manage multiple outputs on the fly:
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Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
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Choose Open volume mixer.
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Adjust volume levels and select outputs per app.
This is perfect if you often switch between devices.
Step 5: Duplicate Audio to Multiple Outputs (Optional)
Sometimes you may want the same audio on two devices (e.g., speakers + headphones). Unfortunately, Windows 11 doesn’t include this feature natively, but you can achieve it with:
Using Stereo Mix (Workaround)
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Right-click the speaker icon > Sound settings.
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Scroll down to More sound settings (opens old Sound panel).
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Go to the Recording tab.
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Enable Stereo Mix (right-click > Enable).
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Set Stereo Mix as the recording device and route it to multiple outputs.
👉 This method can be tricky and doesn’t always work perfectly.
Using Third-Party Tools (Recommended)
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Voicemeeter Banana / Potato – Free advanced audio mixer.
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CheVolume – Paid tool for routing audio per app.
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Audio Router – Lightweight open-source option.
These tools give you fine-grained control over multiple outputs simultaneously.
Step 6: Test Your Setup
Play different apps (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, Zoom) and check if they route to the correct devices. Adjust volumes individually to balance your setup.
Pro Tips for Managing Multiple Outputs
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🔄 Restart apps after changing outputs — some apps only detect devices at launch.
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⚡ Use wired devices for lower latency in gaming/recording.
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🔊 Rename your audio devices in Sound settings for easier identification.
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📌 Pin the Volume Mixer to the taskbar for quick access.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Device not showing up | Reconnect it, reinstall drivers, or check Bluetooth pairing. |
| App not routing correctly | Restart the app or reset app volume/device preferences. |
| Delay or echo when duplicating outputs | Use Voicemeeter or similar tools instead of Stereo Mix. |
| HDMI audio missing | Right-click HDMI device in Sound settings > Set as default. |
FAQs About Using Multiple Audio Outputs in Windows 11
1. Can Windows 11 natively duplicate audio to two devices?
Not directly — you’ll need workarounds like Stereo Mix or third-party apps such as Voicemeeter.
2. Can I set a default audio device for specific apps?
Yes, using App volume and device preferences in Sound settings.
3. Does this work with Bluetooth and wired devices together?
Yes, as long as both are active in Windows Sound settings.
4. Will this affect gaming performance?
No, but using multiple outputs may slightly increase system load when using software mixers.
5. What’s the easiest method for beginners?
Use App volume and device preferences to assign different outputs per app.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how to use multiple audio outputs in Windows 11. Whether you want to split music and calls, route game and chat audio separately, or duplicate sound to multiple devices, Windows gives you built-in tools — and third-party apps expand your options even further.
So the next time you want to jam out on speakers while keeping calls private in your headphones, you’ll know exactly how to set it up.