Wireless keyboard and an add-on sound bar.

Question

Wireless keyboard and an add-on sound bar.

Rich Kelsey 0

I have a wireless keyboard and mouse, and an add-on sound bar. Just recently the keyboard keys that control my volume, mute, etc. for my soundbar stopped working. All other functions of my keyboard appear to work normally.

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Answer recommended by moderator

Hendrix-V 17,180 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Rich Kelsey,

Since the keyboard is otherwise working normally, the issue may be related to how the media keys are interacting with the current audio device rather than the keyboard itself. The thread indicates that only the volume and mute controls for the sound bar have stopped responding.

You could try these quick checks:

1, Verify the active audio device

Go to Settings > System > Sound
Confirm the sound bar is selected as the default output device

2, Test the media keys against Windows volume

Press the volume keys and watch for the on-screen volume indicator
If Windows volume changes but the sound bar does not respond, the connection between Windows and the sound bar may need to be refreshed

3, Reconnect the sound bar

If connected through Bluetooth, remove and pair it again
If connected through USB or another interface, disconnect and reconnect it

4, Check for keyboard companion software - if your keyboard uses manufacturer software (such as Logitech, Microsoft, HP, etc.), ensure it is up to date, as media-key functions are often managed through that software

If the issue continues, please share the keyboard model and how the sound bar is connected (Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, etc.). That information can help narrow down the cause and identify a more targeted solution.

I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T23:12:36.3366667+00:00

Thanks for your message. However, I tried the steps you suggested (as well as those below) and I still have the same problem. The keyboard is a Dell Pro Plus Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - KM7321W. The soundbar is connected via USB. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-22T07:48:06.3766667+00:00
Hi Rich Kelsey,

Thank you for the update. Since the KM7321W keyboard is otherwise working correctly and the soundbar is connected through USB, this may be related to how the USB audio device is responding to media-key commands rather than a general keyboard issue.

As a next step, try reinstalling the USB sound device:

Press Windows + X > Device Manager.

Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click the USB soundbar device and select Uninstall device.

Restart the PC and allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

You can also test whether the keyboard's volume keys change the Windows on-screen volume indicator. If the indicator appears and moves, the keyboard is sending the commands correctly, which helps narrow the issue to the audio device or its driver.

If the behavior started recently, please let me know whether it began after a Windows update, Dell Peripheral Manager update, or any other system change. That information may help identify a more specific cause.
Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-22T22:45:10.1566667+00:00

OK, I followed the instructions above. Still not working. When doing the above, I switched the output device to the computer speaker instead of the soundbar and I have the same problem, the sound from the computer speaker does not respond to the volume commands from the keyboard. I don't know if that is a good sign or a bad sign. Also, I run the Windows update every day, so I don't know if the problem started after (or because of) the update, or not. Any other thoughts? Thanks.
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-23T07:13:57.43+00:00
Hi Rich Kelsey,

Thank you for the additional details. The fact that the volume keys do not work with either the USB soundbar or the built-in speakers is actually a useful finding. It suggests the issue is likely related to how the keyboard's multimedia keys are being interpreted, rather than a problem with the soundbar itself.

As a next step, I'd recommend checking whether the keyboard is operating in a different function-key mode:

Press Fn + Esc (if available on your KM7321W) to toggle Function Lock.

Test the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Mute keys again.

If you have Dell Peripheral Manager installed, open it and verify that the media keys have not been reassigned to another function.

If possible, testing the keyboard on another computer can also help determine whether the behavior is specific to the keyboard or the current PC configuration.

I hope this helps move the investigation forward. Please let us know what you observe, and we'll be happy to continue assisting.
Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-23T21:08:58.65+00:00

HOORRAAAYY!!!! The fn+Esc key to toggle the function loc did the trick! I never would have figured that out. Thanks for your help, and your unending patience!
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T00:57:28.91+00:00

Hi Rich Kelsey,

I'm relieved to know that you made a great decision and everything is good to go on your side. I hope the insights shared in the forum help address your concerns effectively.

If there is anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section.

In addition, if you found my answer helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could click "Accept Answer" and kindly give it an upvote.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-20T23:12:36.3366667+00:00

Thanks for your message. However, I tried the steps you suggested (as well as those below) and I still have the same problem. The keyboard is a Dell Pro Plus Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - KM7321W. The soundbar is connected via USB. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-22T07:48:06.3766667+00:00

Hi Rich Kelsey,

Thank you for the update. Since the KM7321W keyboard is otherwise working correctly and the soundbar is connected through USB, this may be related to how the USB audio device is responding to media-key commands rather than a general keyboard issue.

As a next step, try reinstalling the USB sound device:

Press Windows + X > Device Manager.

Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

Right-click the USB soundbar device and select Uninstall device.

Restart the PC and allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

You can also test whether the keyboard's volume keys change the Windows on-screen volume indicator. If the indicator appears and moves, the keyboard is sending the commands correctly, which helps narrow the issue to the audio device or its driver.

If the behavior started recently, please let me know whether it began after a Windows update, Dell Peripheral Manager update, or any other system change. That information may help identify a more specific cause.
Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-22T22:45:10.1566667+00:00

OK, I followed the instructions above. Still not working. When doing the above, I switched the output device to the computer speaker instead of the soundbar and I have the same problem, the sound from the computer speaker does not respond to the volume commands from the keyboard. I don't know if that is a good sign or a bad sign. Also, I run the Windows update every day, so I don't know if the problem started after (or because of) the update, or not. Any other thoughts? Thanks.
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-23T07:13:57.43+00:00

Hi Rich Kelsey,

Thank you for the additional details. The fact that the volume keys do not work with either the USB soundbar or the built-in speakers is actually a useful finding. It suggests the issue is likely related to how the keyboard's multimedia keys are being interpreted, rather than a problem with the soundbar itself.

As a next step, I'd recommend checking whether the keyboard is operating in a different function-key mode:

Press Fn + Esc (if available on your KM7321W) to toggle Function Lock.

Test the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Mute keys again.

If you have Dell Peripheral Manager installed, open it and verify that the media keys have not been reassigned to another function.

If possible, testing the keyboard on another computer can also help determine whether the behavior is specific to the keyboard or the current PC configuration.

I hope this helps move the investigation forward. Please let us know what you observe, and we'll be happy to continue assisting.
Rich Kelsey 0 Reputation points

2026-07-23T21:08:58.65+00:00

HOORRAAAYY!!!! The fn+Esc key to toggle the function loc did the trick! I never would have figured that out. Thanks for your help, and your unending patience!
Hendrix-V 17,180 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-24T00:57:28.91+00:00

Hi Rich Kelsey,

I'm relieved to know that you made a great decision and everything is good to go on your side. I hope the insights shared in the forum help address your concerns effectively.

If there is anything else I can assist you with, please feel free to let me know in the Comments section.

In addition, if you found my answer helpful, I’d really appreciate it if you could click "Accept Answer" and kindly give it an upvote.

Answer 1

Onyx Is here 4,525 Independent Advisor

Sorry to hear you're having trouble.

Please first make sure that your device is completely updated including checking if there are updates for your keyboard/mouse combo and speaker. I'd also recommend checking the devices on a different PC or laptop to ensure there is no issue with them.

Also, please try doing a fully shut down and restart to see if that helps.

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