Headphones Volume not changing with Windows 11

Question

Ever since updating to Windows 11, my computer volume will not change while using my bluetooth headphones. The number will change when I try to increase or decrease the volume, but the actual loudness will not change. It also defaults to 100 on the volume slider, even though the actual volume is somewhat quiet. I've tried unpairing and repairing my headset, I've tried turning both the headphones and the computer off and on. Nothing seems to work.

Answer 1

Hello Tess,

Good day! I'm John Dev a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

Please let me know if you have tried the methods below.

**Please check if your volume keys on your keyboard are stuck

**Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: control mmsys.cpl sounds

Press Enter then select Communications tab

Select "Do nothing"

Click Apply then Ok

**Right click the volume icon on the taskbar

Select Sounds then click Playback

Double click your device in the list then select Advanced tab

Under Exclusive Mode, uncheck both options

Click Apply then Ok

**Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: services.msc

Press Enter

Double-click Windows Audio

If the Startup status lists Stopped, click Start and then click OK. If the status is Running, right click then select Restart

**Open Device Manager

Click View > Show hidden devices

Expand the Sound, video and game controllers

Find the Realtek Audio driver in the list

Right click it and select Update

Click "Browse my computer for driver software"

Select "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer"

Make sure to put a check mark "Show compatible hardware"

Select an older driver from the list

Click Next then restart your computer using Clean Boot of Windows

**Perform a Clean Boot

Determine whether a background program or a software conflict is causing the issue.

Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: msconfig

Press Enter

Select System Configuration > go to the Services tab.

Select and make sure to put a check mark on "Hide all Microsoft services"

Click Disable all.

Go to Startup tab > Open Task Manager > Disable all the unnecessary services running there. Restart your computer.

Please check the support article at the link below for more details.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...

If the issue persists, what is the exact make and model of your laptop?

Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: msinfo32

Press Enter

Please take a screenshot of the System Information window and post it in your next response. Note: Don't include any personal information or sensitive data.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/feedback/fo...

Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

Kind regards,

John DeV

Independent Advisor

Answer 2

The step asking a user to "Click Disable All" services other than Microsoft Services is a bad idea if someone does not understand what those services are doing.

I found what fixed this for me was just removing and adding the bluetooth device again.

Answer 3

Removing and adding the device did it for me :) Thanks for the suggestion. Weird behavior though.