how to fix audio from dropping to 50 volume when i change windows/programs

Question

every time i click a new application or window it drops my volume to 50 when i had it set to 100

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Make sure your audio output isn’t switching between devices. If you have multiple audio devices, Windows may switch to a different output device, which can reduce the volume. Temporarily remove the other audio output devices, then check whether the volume remains stable. If you’re still having issues,

1

Try running the audio troubleshooter -

Click Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Audio > Click Run.

Once the troubleshooter is finished running, restart your computer and test the volume.

2

Reinstall Audio drivers once -

Go to Device Manager.

Expand the arrow next to Sound, Video, and game controllers.

Right-click your default audio driver, Realtek (R), select Uninstall device, select the 'Attempt to delete the driver software for this device' checkbox, and then click Uninstall.

Once uninstalled, restart your computer and test the volume.

Let me know if you still need more help.

Answer 2

This is commonly caused by Windows communications behavior or app/device audio settings changing when focus switches between programs.

Try these steps in order:

1. Set Windows to stop reducing volume for communications activity.
   • Press Windows + R
   • Type control mmsys.cpl sounds and press Enter
   • Open the Communications tab
   • Select Do nothing
   • Select Apply > OK
2. Verify the correct output device is selected.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound
   • Under Output, select the correct audio device
   • Make sure it is not muted and the volume slider is up
3. Set the device as the default playback device.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound
   • Select More sound settings > Playback
   • Right-click the device in use and select Set as default
4. Turn off audio enhancements.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound
   • Select the output device
   • Under Advanced settings, set Audio enhancements to Off
5. Disable Exclusive Mode for the playback device.
   • Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar and select Sound settings
   • Select More sound settings
   • In the Playback tab, double-click Speakers
   • Open the Advanced tab
   • Under Exclusive Mode, clear both options:
     • Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
     • Give exclusive mode applications priority
   • Select Apply > OK
   • Restart the PC
6. Check app-specific volume levels.
   • Some apps control volume independently of the main Windows volume
   • If the issue happens only in certain apps, check that app’s own volume control and Windows sound settings for the active output device
7. Restart Windows audio services if the behavior continues.
   • Press Windows + R
   • Type services.msc and press Enter
   • Restart Windows Audio
   • Restart Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
   • Make sure both are set to Automatic
8. If it still drops to 50, update or roll back the audio driver.
   • Open Device Manager
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers
   • Right-click the audio device
   • Try Update driver first
   • If the problem started recently, install an older compatible driver from Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

If the volume drop happens only when switching to one specific app, that app is likely changing audio behavior directly. In that case, disabling Exclusive Mode and Audio enhancements is the most relevant fix.

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References:

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• Volume too LOW on Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A The volume works but it's very very low and I've checked the drivers and they are up to date. I'm not sure what app may be running in the background to cause and I'm not sure how to check or if that is the problem.
• cannot increase volume even if trouble shooter updates it - Microsoft Q&A when i try to increase the volume, it goes back to zero. Trouble shooter states that there is a problem or and output device playing with the audio. It updates and says it is ready but the issue is still ongoing.