How to change sound device's symbol in the output device menu on taskbar in Win 11?

Question

Hi there,

I switched my speaker + headphones, so speaker is now in front and headphones in back panel, previously it was the other way around. Somewhat later I noticed the symbols for the audio devices not matching. I'm not talking about the ones in the sound devices menu where you also see inputs (mmsys.cpl), I mean the in Windows 11 newly added output devices switching menu when you click the speaker in the task bar and then the arrow on the right. There, the headphones got a speaker icon and my actual speakers got a headphone icon. They don't match up with the symbols I set in the sound devices menu.

On my mainboard's audio console ("Realtek Audio console") the icons shown there are the same wrong ones as above - speakers for headphones and headphones for my speakers. There doesn't seem to be a way to change them though.

Is there any way how to fix them? Maybe by messing with the registry? It's weird how the Windows 11 quick selection menu for the output device isn't picking up the symbols used in the sound devices menu.

Answer 1

Hi Maria2101,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and we regret the inconvenience caused to you.  

Thanks for the description and let us understand your problem better. The speakers and headphones in Windows 11 are different from the icons on the Gigabyte motherboard. But there doesn't seem to be anywhere to modify it either. Sorry I don't have a Gigabyte motherboard to reproduce this issue due to environmental constraints. But this is most likely a BUG, of course, it is also possible that after you refresh Windows again, it returns to normal. Would it work if you tried uninstalling the sound card driver and then reinstalling it? This registry is associated with your Windows, and we do not recommend modifying it as it may cause another or more serious problem. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best Regards,

Manson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Maria2101,

How is your problem? Please let me know if there is any progress.

Best Regards,

Manson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 3

Hi Manson,

the issue I have is not with the Relatek audio manager (last picture), it's with the icons displayed on the quick switch menu in Windows, as seen in the first picture on the right window. The symbols there don't match up with the sound device manager, as I draw in the picture. I just showed the icons in realtek audio manager as well, because they also don't match up. That doesn't have to do anything with the icons in Windows though. The icons in Windows (again, 1st picture, right side) were wrong before the Audio manager was even installed.

For now I switched back my headphones to the front panel and the speakers to the back and un- and then reinstalled realtek drivers. I'd like to have the correct symbols (headphones for the headphones, speakers for speakers) displayed, when having the headphones plugged in to the back panel instead.

And yes, obviously you won't recommend me modifying the registry, as it can cause problems. I know that. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't know. I don't think changing icons would do harm. If so, it'd be my fault as I was asking for it, and I'd be willing to reinstall Windows if it does anything bad. Please, if there's a way to change the icons displayed on the quick switch for output devices on the taskbar, through registry or whatever, I'd like to know. It's not on you when it "causes problems" when I ask for a solution.

Answer 4

Thank you for your reply, your answer is very professional, and I understand your needs. You need to fix this by any means (even if doing it wrong could cause serious problems and you'll reinstall Windows).  

I very much hope you can understand me. Some questions may be beyond my experience and skills, but I also sincerely want to help you. Modifying the registry is of course possible to achieve what you want but I may not be able to do it (from my technical point of view). However, you have reinstalled the drivers but the icons for the headphones and speakers are still wrong.May I know if the headphones and speakers are working? If Windows 10 shows no problem, are you willing to go back to the original version and check it first?

Answer 5

Hi Maria2101

How is your problem? Please let me know if there is any progress.

Best Regards,

Manson | Microsoft Community Support Specialist