How to change sound output Windows 10 (HDMI, headphones, optical out)

This video will show you how to change the audio output device on your Windows 10 computer. This is useful if you want your laptop to switch between outputting audio to a TV through HDMI, and then later switching it to output to headphones.

First, just right click on the audio option in the bottom right hand corner, and then select the playback devices option.

Next, a window will pop up that lists all of the available output devices for your computer. On the list in the video, I have three available options, the headphone jack on my desktop, the optical audio out on my desktop (SPDIF) and the headphone output on the microphone. Your list will likely have different options, such as HDMI output, or any USB options you might have.

After you select the device in the list you want to use, choose the set as default option at the bottom.

After this you will notice all active audio, and any new audio (such as movies and iTunes) will switch to the new default device.

If you want to switch back to your headphones, or to HDMI, just choose that device again and choose the set as default option.

[tycarni]

my playback devices only shows speakers no headphones no nothing

[agvwc]

Thank you! I haven't been able to use my microphone in game for the longest time now, this fixed it! Thanks!

[lighterpacks]

There's an awesome little application that simplifies this a lot. It's called Audio Switch and is free to use. Gives you a shortcut command or click/change next to the audio Icon.

[AndresGonzalez-hhkp]

what if my laptop is connected to my TV threw HDMI and it displays on the TV but no audio comes out and on the playback/output place my TV doesn't show up even if I check mark the disabled/disconnected devices..

[nickbeam]

I want to thank you very much for showing this. I been learning and this was a tremendous help.

[beerolifant]

Thanks!! Exactly what I was looking for, way easier then I expected it to be

[bingbop]

This one helped us with headphones noise, No other site could fix it... Well done!!!

[Mrsinfernalbane]

this really helped thanks! I am using HDMI. I have been using a tv screen monitor as my desktop monitor. just got an acer monitor for gaming and I had no idea how to set the sound to my headset. this helped a lot thank you!

[presley]

After 3 years of not being able to make my headset work i have been blessed with this video in my recommended

[VANVEX]

i have a problem, when i put my headphone to the front green jack its not do anything its just saying not plugged in
im using back jack but the front not working...

[CMeaganMichael]

Thank you! That was quick and simple. Bravo! #Subscribed

[radudicu]

Hey i need help, some time ago a jack broked inside the front slot and some dude working with PC disabled the frontal jacks so i could still use the back ones . Now i fixed the problem but i don't know how to enable it again . Like a looked a lot and haven't found anything ... It's not even apearing, from what my PC sees i only have the back jacks.Pls help (sorry for my bad english)

[mariannamorales]

Thanks for the help man really appreciate it !

[nitewolf]

Great vid man, helped out a lot! Thanks!

[cornelius]

I see a lot of issues in the comments, which i guess means they have a bigger problem at hand, but for me, this helped instantly, so thank you :)

[colpakertv]

can someone tell me why i cant set my headphone as the defult playback device?

[TkayKaujeua]

You the best, I watched about 20 videos tried them all but here I got a perfect solution

[londawaite]

Perfect easy to follow directions for me, thanks.

[mrdross]

I'm trying to screen mirror from laptop to tv and I cant change the audio

[blix]

Thanks you so much, such a simple video but helped a ton much love