How to Get Loudness Equalization on Windows 11
Figuring out how to turn on loudness equalization on Windows 11 can seem a bit triky at first, but it’s pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. This feature’s a goer when one song blasts your ears off while the next is barely audible. It levels out the volume, especially when you’re watching movies or flicking between playlists. If constant volume fiddling’s doing your head in, give this a go.
Activate Loudness Equalization
Find the Sound Settings
Start by right-clicking the speaker icon in your taskbar — yep, bottom right. Choose “Sound settings”. That’ll take you straight into Windows Settings at System > Sound. If that feels like a hassle, you can also press Win + I, then go to System > Sound.
Explore Advanced Sound Options
Scroll down until you see “Advanced sound options” and click on “App volume and device preferences”. Here you can also adjust individual app volumes, which is handy. For more options, look for “Device properties” or “Additional device properties” — that’ll take you to the usual Sound control panel we all know and love.
Adjust App Volume and Device Preferences
On this page, you can tweak the volume for each app. It’s a good idea to set those levels first before turning on loudness equalization — saves a bit of hassle down the track. If you need the classic Sound panel, just click on All sound devices in settings, or jump straight there via Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound. You can also quickly get there by typing Win + R and entering control mmsys.cpl.
Enable Loudness Equalization
Switch to the Playback tab in the Sound window. Select your main audio device — whether it’s “Speakers” or whatever sound card you’re using — then click Properties. Head over to the Enhancements tab. If your driver’s got it, you’ll see a checkbox for Loudness Equalization. Tick that box and turn it on. If it’s not there, your drivers might be a bit behind — update them via the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update. You can also use Device Manager: right-click Start > Device Manager > expand Sound, video and game controllers > right-click your device > Update driver.
Save Your Changes
Once you’ve ticked that, hit “Apply” and then “OK.” You might need to restart some apps or even your system for the change to kick in. You’ll notice the sound’s a lot more even now — no more constant adjusting like you’re mixing a DJ set.
Get the Most Out of Loudness Equalization
Keeping your drivers up to date can save you a lot of grief, stopping those annoying compatibility issues. Use loudness equalization mainly for movies or playlists; it really does make a difference in how things sound. Keep in mind, not all apps will play nicely with it — some might seem unaffected, which can be just how they’re built. And if you’re keen on personalised sound, fiddling with app-specific volumes can seriously level up your listening.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
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Can I use loudness equalization on all my audio devices? Not quite. Some hardware just doesn’t support it. Check your sound settings and make sure your drivers are up to scratch. You can manage driver updates via Device Manager (type
devmgmt.msc). -
Will turning this on affect my sound quality? It’s mainly designed to even things out without wrecking the audio. Some audiophiles might notice tiny shifts, especially with intricate music, but generally, it’s pretty smooth sailing.
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Does enabling this use much system resources? Not really — it’s lightweight, so no worries about slowing things down.
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Can I switch it off if I don’t like it? Easy as! Just go back into the Enhancements tab and uncheck Loudness Equalization.
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What if I can’t find that option? Usually, it’s because your drivers are out of date or hardware’s not compatible. Updating drivers from the manufacturer or running Windows Update usually helps. Sometimes, switching to a different driver can do the trick as well.
To sum up, find the speaker icon, jump into Sound settings, then look at Advanced sound options. Head into Device properties, then the Enhancements tab, tick Loudness Equalization, and you’re set — easy as. This quick tweak can make your audio way cleaner. Upgrading your drivers is always a good shout, too, to keep everything running smoothly. Use devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager directly if needed.
This feature’s often overlooked, but it can seriously top off your listening sessions — whether it’s gaming, movies, or your fave playlists. It’s all about keeping things smooth without the hassle. Have a bit of a fiddle, see how it sounds, and enjoy the balanced audio ride.