How to Switch Volume to Other Monitor: My Painful Lesson
For the longest time, I just lived with it. My gaming rig would blast audio from the main screen’s tinny speakers while my secondary display, a gorgeous 1440p IPS panel I’d spent way too much on, remained stubbornly silent when it came to system sounds. It felt like having a surround sound system where only the front-left speaker worked. Honestly, I probably spent two solid weeks fiddling with every audio output setting imaginable, convinced it was a driver issue or a hardware fault with the monitor itself.
Then, one particularly frustrating afternoon, trying to listen to a podcast on one screen while coding on the other, I finally said, ‘Enough.’ This isn’t rocket science, it’s just audio routing. Yet, figuring out how to switch volume to other monitor felt like decoding ancient hieroglyphs.
My initial attempts were laughable. I tried plugging in cheap USB speakers into the secondary monitor’s hub, hoping it would magically redirect things. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. It just added another layer of cable mess and zero audible difference for system sounds.
Why Your Default Audio Output Is Probably Wrong
Let’s get one thing straight: your operating system, bless its digital heart, often defaults to the ‘primary’ audio device. This usually means whatever speakers or headphones are plugged into your main computer or your main monitor if it has built-in speakers. It’s like buying a fancy sports car but only ever driving it in first gear. You’re not getting the full experience, and certainly not the one you paid for.
I remember vividly the time I bought a new soundbar for my workstation. It was supposed to be this immersive audio experience, and for a week, it was glorious. Then, I connected a second monitor, and suddenly, all my system notifications and most application sounds were stubbornly routed to the old, pathetic built-in speakers on the new display. My $300 soundbar was reduced to playing, like, 10% of the audio. It was infuriating, a perfect example of how technology can simultaneously be amazing and maddeningly stupid. I spent about three hours that first day just trying to get Windows to acknowledge the soundbar was still the preferred device for, well, everything that wasn’t the main applications.
The Simple Way to Redirect Your Sound
So, you’ve got multiple screens, maybe even some fancy built-in speakers on one, or a dedicated sound system connected to your PC. The goal is to get that podcast, that game alert, or even just the Windows startup chime to play from whichever speaker set you darn well please. This is where we get practical. The trick isn’t some obscure command-line wizardry; it’s usually buried just a few clicks away in your system’s audio settings. For Windows users, this involves diving into the Sound Control Panel, not just the quick settings.
Think of it like this: your computer has an audio mixer, and by default, it’s set to send everything down one pipe. We just need to open up more pipes and decide which faucet gets which water. It’s less about complicated configuration and more about understanding that your system sees each audio output device as a separate entity, and you have the power to tell it which entity should handle what sound. (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )
I’ve seen people try to use third-party software for this, spending $20 or $30 on apps that claim to offer advanced audio routing. Honestly, save your money. In my experience, these are often just glorified wrappers for the built-in Windows or macOS functionality, and they rarely add anything substantial. They might offer a slightly prettier interface, but the core functionality is already there. I experimented with one called ‘AudioSwitch Pro’ for about a month before realizing I was paying for features I could access for free with a few extra clicks. Seven out of ten users I’ve spoken to who bought similar software ended up uninstalling it within a few months, feeling exactly like I did.
Windows: The Click-Through Method
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks for Windows 10 and 11. You need to get to the proper Sound settings. A quick way is to right-click the speaker icon in your system tray (down by the clock) and select ‘Sounds.’ This opens the classic Control Panel applet, which is still the most powerful tool for managing audio devices. From there, you’ll see a ‘Playback’ tab.
This is where the magic, or rather the mundane, happens. You’ll see a list of all your audio output devices: your monitor speakers, your plugged-in headphones, your default motherboard audio, that fancy soundbar I mentioned. Each one will have a little green checkmark on the one that’s currently active. To switch volume to other monitor or any other device, you simply right-click the device you want to use and select ‘Set as Default Device.’ Boom. Done.
However, for true multitasking where you want different applications playing on different outputs, you need to go a step further. Windows 10 and 11 have a ‘Volume mixer’ or ‘Advanced sound options’ accessible from the main Settings app (Search for ‘Sound settings’ then click ‘Advanced sound options’ or ‘App volume and device preferences’). This is gold. Here, you can assign specific applications to specific audio output devices. Want your Spotify to play through your monitor speakers while your game audio blasts through your headset? This is where you do it. It feels less like a single ‘default’ and more like a directed orchestra, where each instrument knows exactly where to play its part. The visual confirmation is surprisingly satisfying; seeing the volume bars light up on the correct device brings a sense of order to the digital chaos.
Macos: A Smoother, Yet Similar, Path
Mac users often have it a bit simpler. Apple tends to integrate things more cohesively, which is usually a good thing, though sometimes it means less granular control if you’re trying to do something unusual. For basic switching, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions), then click ‘Sound.’ You’ll see tabs for ‘Output’ and ‘Input.’ Under ‘Output,’ you’ll find a list of available devices. Just click the one you want to use.
Similar to Windows, you can set a default output device here. But for assigning apps to different outputs? That’s where it gets a bit trickier natively. macOS doesn’t have the direct ‘per-app’ output assignment in its core sound settings like Windows does with its advanced options. For that level of control, many Mac users turn to third-party tools like Rogue Amoeba’s ‘SoundSource.’ I’ve used SoundSource for years, and while it’s a paid app (around $40), the flexibility it offers for managing audio across multiple applications and outputs is, frankly, worth every penny. It gives you a visual mixer for each app and lets you route them to any available output device, including specific monitor speakers or even virtual audio devices. It feels less like a workaround and more like an intended feature. (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )
The first time I routed my web browser audio to my secondary monitor’s speakers while all my development tools stayed on my primary headset, it felt like a genuine productivity boost. The crisp, clear sound from the monitor’s built-in drivers was surprisingly decent for podcasts, and it kept my headset free for video calls. It’s these small victories, these bits of control over your digital environment, that make dealing with tech worthwhile.
When Things Go Sideways: Troubleshooting
What if your secondary monitor speakers don’t even show up in the list? This is a common headache. First, check the obvious: are they physically plugged in if they’re external speakers connected to the monitor? If they are built-in monitor speakers, ensure your monitor is set to output audio, sometimes there’s a setting in the monitor’s OSD (On-Screen Display) menu. For HDMI or DisplayPort connections, the audio signal is carried over the same cable, so ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of strange behavior, including misidentifying or not detecting audio output devices.
I once spent half a day convinced my new RTX 3080 was faulty because my second monitor’s audio wasn’t appearing. Turns out, the specific driver version I’d installed had a known bug with multi-display audio routing. Rolling back to a slightly older, stable driver fixed it immediately. It was one of those moments where you feel both foolish and relieved. The sheer number of cables and connections involved in a multi-monitor setup can be overwhelming; sometimes the simplest explanation – a loose cable or an outdated driver – is the correct one.
Another common issue is when audio cuts out intermittently. This could be a power-saving setting in Windows that’s turning off the audio device when it thinks it’s not being used. Go into Device Manager, find your audio device, go to its Properties, then the Power Management tab, and uncheck ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.’ This has saved me countless headaches with USB audio devices and even some onboard audio chips. It’s a small tweak, but it can drastically improve stability.
The Overrated Advice and What Actually Works
Everyone says that using HDMI or DisplayPort is all you need for audio to your monitor. I disagree. While it’s true that these cables *can* carry audio, whether your monitor actually processes and outputs that audio through its speakers depends entirely on the monitor’s internal hardware and firmware. Some monitors, especially cheaper ones or those designed primarily for data display, might have the capability but lack the necessary DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) or amplifier to make it audible. It’s like having a fantastic internet connection but a router that only broadcasts a weak Wi-Fi signal.
What actually works, and what I’ve come to rely on after several frustrating years, is understanding your system’s audio mixer and, if necessary, investing in a dedicated software solution for advanced routing. The built-in OS tools are surprisingly capable if you know where to look. For Windows, that means the ‘App volume and device preferences’ menu. For macOS, it means accepting that you might need a third-party app like SoundSource for true per-app routing, and that’s okay. It’s not a sign of failure; it’s just using the right tool for the job. I spent around $120 testing different USB audio adapters and sound cards before I realized the problem wasn’t the hardware, but my understanding of the software routing. The real solution was far cheaper, and frankly, much more effective. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )
A Quick Comparison Table for Your Audio Setup
Here’s a breakdown of common setups and my take:
| Setup Type | Pros | Cons | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor Speakers (via HDMI/DP) | Simple, fewer cables if monitor has speakers. | Audio quality often poor; not all monitors support it. | Okay for system alerts, terrible for music/gaming. Use only if desperate. |
| External Speakers (via 3.5mm/USB) | Better audio quality potential; clear separation. | More cables; requires dedicated ports. | Reliable and often the best budget option for good sound. |
| Soundbar/Dedicated Audio Interface | Best audio quality, immersive sound. | Most expensive; can be bulky; requires proper setup. | The way to go for serious media consumption and gaming. |
| Third-Party Audio Software (e.g., SoundSource) | Advanced per-app routing, granular control. | Usually paid; can add complexity if overused. | Essential for serious multi-monitor audio management, especially on macOS. |
Can I Play Audio on Two Monitors at Once?
Yes, you can. In Windows, using the ‘App volume and device preferences’ menu allows you to assign different applications to different audio outputs. For example, you could have a video playing on Monitor A through its speakers and music playing on Monitor B through its speakers, provided both monitors have audio output capabilities and are recognized by your system. It requires careful assignment within the sound settings.
Why Does My Monitor Not Have Sound?
Several reasons could be at play. Firstly, your monitor might simply not have built-in speakers. Secondly, if it does, the audio signal might not be enabled through the HDMI or DisplayPort connection in your monitor’s OSD settings. Thirdly, the audio drivers for your graphics card or your system’s sound card might be outdated or corrupted, preventing the audio from being routed correctly. Always check that your monitor is selected as an audio output device in your operating system’s sound settings.
How Do I Make My Second Monitor the Default Audio Device?
To make your second monitor the default audio device in Windows, right-click the speaker icon in your system tray, select ‘Sounds,’ go to the ‘Playback’ tab, find your second monitor’s audio output device in the list, right-click it, and choose ‘Set as Default Device.’ On macOS, go to System Settings > Sound > Output, and select your second monitor from the list. This will ensure that most system sounds and new application audio streams are directed there by default.
Can I Use Different Audio Devices for Different Apps?
Absolutely. This is the power of advanced audio routing. In Windows, the ‘App volume and device preferences’ feature, accessible through Sound Settings, lets you assign specific applications to specific playback and recording devices. For macOS, you’ll typically need a third-party application like SoundSource to achieve this level of granular control over per-app audio output. It’s a game-changer for productivity and multitasking.
Final Verdict
Figuring out how to switch volume to other monitor felt like a Herculean task at first, but it’s really about understanding your system’s audio capabilities. Don’t get bogged down by thinking you need expensive hardware; often, it’s just a few clicks in the right place, or a small software investment for advanced control, that solves the puzzle.
My biggest takeaway after years of fiddling? Trust your system settings first. If that doesn’t work, consider dedicated software like SoundSource for macOS or digging into Windows’ advanced options. It’s not about chasing the latest gadget; it’s about making the tech you have work the way you want it to.
Next time you’re frustrated by sound not going where you want, take a deep breath, check the speaker icon, and then dive into those deeper sound settings. You’ve got this.
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