Individual App Volume Control in Windows 11: How to Adjust Sound Per App

Windows 11 lets you control the volume of individual apps instead of changing the system volume for everything at once. This is useful when one app is too loud while others are too quiet, such as a browser during meetings or a game overpowering background music.

This guide explains how to control individual app volume in Windows 11, where to find the settings, and what to do if per-app volume control does not work.

What Is Individual App Volume Control

Individual app volume control allows you to set different sound levels for each app running on your PC. For example, you can lower the volume of a browser while keeping system sounds or music apps louder.

Windows 11 includes this feature by default and does not require third-party software.

Why Use Per-App Volume Control in Windows 11

This feature is useful in many situations.

Common examples include:

• Lowering browser audio during online meetings
• Reducing game volume while keeping voice chat loud
• Adjusting music volume without affecting notifications
• Using different output devices for different apps

It gives you better control over how sound behaves on your PC.

Adjust App Volume Using Volume Mixer (Recommended)

The Volume Mixer is the main place to control individual app volume.

Steps

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar
2. Select Volume mixer
3. Scroll down to Apps
4. Use the slider next to each app to adjust volume

Changes apply instantly and are saved automatically.

Change Output Device for Individual Apps

Windows 11 also allows assigning different audio output devices per app.

Steps

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System
3. Select Sound
4. Scroll down and click Volume mixer
5. Under Apps, choose an output device for each app

This is useful if you want one app to play through headphones and another through speakers.

Control App Volume Using System Tray

You can quickly access volume controls without opening full settings.

Steps

1. Click the speaker icon in the system tray
2. Click the arrow next to the volume slider
3. Open Volume mixer
4. Adjust app volumes as needed

This method is faster for quick changes.

Fix Individual App Volume Not Working in Windows 11

If per-app volume control does not work, try these fixes.

Restart Windows Audio Services

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type services.msc
3. Restart Windows Audio
4. Restart Windows Audio Endpoint Builder

Check App Output Device

An app may be using the wrong audio output.

Steps:

• Open Volume mixer
• Confirm the correct output device is selected

Update Audio Drivers

Outdated drivers can break volume control.

Steps:

• Open Device Manager
• Update audio drivers
• Restart the PC

Reset Sound Settings

Steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System
3. Select Sound
4. Scroll down and reset sound settings

This restores default audio behavior.

Final Thoughts

Individual app volume control in Windows 11 gives you precise control over how each app sounds. Using the Volume Mixer, you can adjust volume levels, mute specific apps, or route audio to different devices without affecting the entire system.

If the feature stops working, restarting audio services or updating drivers usually fixes the issue quickly.

FAQs

Does Windows 11 remember app volume settings?

Yes, volume levels are saved per app unless the app resets them.

Can I mute only one app?

Yes, use the mute icon next to the app in Volume mixer.

Why doesn’t an app appear in Volume mixer?

The app must be actively playing sound to appear.

Do volume settings reset after restart?

Usually no, but some apps manage their own audio settings.