Disable Automatic Audio Output Selections

Hi John, this is Kimberly. I'm glad to assist you today.

Windows doesn’t provide a simple built-in setting to completely disable automatic audio output device switching, but here’s a careful breakdown of options you can try to lock your default output device:

1. Set Default Output Device Manually (You already do this)

You do this via Settings > System > Sound > Output.

Select the output device you want, but this doesn’t guarantee Windows won’t switch it later.

2. Disable Audio Enhancements & Exclusive Mode

Sometimes apps or Windows itself switch devices for exclusive mode.

Go to Sound Control Panel:

Right-click speaker icon → Sounds → Playback tab.

Select your default device → Properties → Advanced tab.

Uncheck:

"Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device"

"Give exclusive mode applications priority"

Click Apply and OK.

3. Disable “Communications” Auto Adjustment

Windows tries to change volume or devices when it detects communication activity (e.g., calls):

Go to Control Panel > Sound > Communications tab.

Select “Do nothing”.

Apply and OK.

4. Disable Unused Devices (if you can)

Even if you prefer not to, disabling unused devices physically prevents switching:

Right-click speaker icon → Sounds → Playback.

Right-click devices you don’t want Windows to switch to → Disable.

This stops Windows from switching to those devices entirely.

Should you have more questions, please let me know.

Best regards,

Kimberly

There are many default devices --- default device and default communications device. If you are using stuff like obs studio, then it will default to another default settings because it uses a microphone or audio input device.

I don't know why you would constantly "change" your default device "as needed" in the first place. If you want spotify to use that device, that go inside the spotify app to specify that spotify will use this device.

Default device means that if you didn't specify which device your audio app (or your app doesn't have an option to choose specific devices), then it will default to that device.