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I am unable to reduce the volume on the USB headphones on Windows 8.

Anonymous
2012-11-13T05:46:18+00:00

I have a pair of generic USB headphones that are so loud I have to keep the system volume down at 1%, else risk damaging my hearing (they're that loud).  I think the problem stems from the fact that Windows detects the headphones as speakers, and as such uses the speakers volume curve instead of a headset volume curve:

  • Hovering over the sound icon in the system tray says: "Speakers (USB): 1%"
  • Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound lists the headset as "Speakers: 2- C-Media USB Audio Device"

Ideally Windows would detect these as a headset instead of speakers.  Is there any way to force that?  Selecting "Configure" simply let's me test Left and Right speakers, and there doesn't seem to be anything useful under Properties either.

I don't have any drivers or anything, and the device is detected as "(Generic USB Audio)".

Thanks.

Original title: USB Headphones Too Loud

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-07-11T08:49:29+00:00

    Under Parameters - Bluetooth Devices and other (or something similar)

    See if you find yout device under Audio.

    Delete it and replug it so it configures itself again. 

    I had trouble with a USB sound card that volume had stop going up/down and this fixed it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-03T02:12:22+00:00

    I have usb audio connected for my speaker.  The volume is low.  how to increase it.  ******@outlook.com.  Windows 8.1 pro

    thanks

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-13T22:46:04+00:00

    Hi Zikifer,

    Thank you for posting your query in the Microsoft Community. It seems that you have an issue with USB headphones being too loud on Windows 8. We can get this issue fixed by proceeding systematically. It might be frustrating for you. But, rest assured we are here to help you.

    Let us start with a few questions-

    1)      Does this issue occur on a different computer running the same Operating System?

    2)      Do you have the option to change the volume on the head phone itself?

    3)      Who is the manufacturer of the head phone?

    4)      Have you made any other changes on the computer?

    I would like more information regarding the issue.

    Method 1-

    I would have you run the “Playing Audio” and the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter.

    Refer the steps-

    a)        Click on “Start” and type “troubleshooting” (without the quotations) and then select “Settings”.

    b)       Now, Click on “view all”.

    c)       Run the “hardware and devices and the playing audio troubleshooter”.

    If you have volume settings on the head phones, then you can try reducing that as well.

    Method 2-

    I would have you make sure that the headphones are set as the default device.

    Refer the steps-

    a)       Right Click on the volume icon and select “Volume control options”.

    b)       Now, check the boxes next to “All devices currently playing sound” and the “The default communication device”.

    c)       Now, place a check mark next to “Headphones”.

    d)       You can also reduce the volume over here.

    I would have you download and install the latest drivers for the headphones from the manufacturer’s website as well.

    Do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

    Thanks.

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-11-14T05:00:56+00:00

    Let's see...

    1. Yes, the issue occurs on a different computer, also running Windows 8.  Although I also had this issue with Windows 7.
    2. There is no volume control on the headset.
    3. I do not know the manufacture, the headset came included with the Rosetta Stone software suite.
    4. This is a fresh install of the OS, additional applications and Windows Store apps were then installed.  I have not done any USB driver updates or anything similar.

    Hardware and Devices troubleshooter found an issue with the driver for Serial ATA Controller not being installed.  Apply this fix then said it failed to find a driver for it.

    Playing Audio troubleshooter, selected "Speakers - 2- C-Media USB Audio Device".  All it says is "to increase the volume, move the volume slider in the Volume Mixer." and it gives a button.  After clicking Next it says the problem it detected was "Low audio device volume", which is actually the opposite of my problem.

    Followed the steps in Method 2 and I don't see any change.  There is still a single volume slider for the device, which is set to 2 as anything higher is uncomfortable.

    Thanks.

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