Splitting audio between two monitors in Windows 11 isn’t as tricky as it sounds, but it’s a bit of a pain with all the steps involved for something you’d reckon should be dead easy. Usually, Windows treats audio outputs as one device — one sound, one output. But if you want to have different sounds on each monitor, you need to dive into the sound settings and set things up properly.
Step-by-Step: How to Split Audio Between Two Monitors Windows 11
Basically, you’re telling Windows that your monitors can handle sound separately, and then assigning apps to the right ones if needed. I’ve sorted this out on a few setups, and honestly, it can be a bit finicky sometimes.
Step 1: Open Sound Settings
Right-click that little speaker icon in the taskbar and pick Sound settings. Or go to Settings > System > Sound if you’d rather go through the menu. This brings up the main sound control panel where you can start mucking around with devices.
On some setups, you might only see one active device, even if both monitors are plugged in via HDMI or DisplayPort. If that’s the case, move to the next step — sometimes Windows doesn’t pick up both as separate audio outputs straight away.
Step 2: Manage Your Devices
In the Sound settings, click on Manage sound devices or look for Output devices. Make sure both monitors are listed as audio outputs. If one’s missing, double-check your cables are HDMI or DisplayPort (which carry audio), and that your drivers are all up to date.
Strangely enough, on some setups, only one monitor shows as an output unless you manually enable or install specific high-def audio drivers from your GPU or motherboard maker.
Step 3: Make One Monitor the Default
Pick the monitor you want to be the main audio source — usually your usual go-to — and click Set as Default. This tells Windows to send most sound there unless you say otherwise later on. Think of it like your main speaker.
Note: If you’re running multiple audio sources (like some speakers or headphones at the same time), you might need to physically disconnect or disable other devices to avoid confusion, or manage volume separately later on.
Step 4: Fine-tune Using App Volume & Device Preferences
This is where things get real. Scroll down in the Sound Settings to find All sound devices, then click on Apps & device preferences. Here, you’ll see a list of apps that are running, with options to pick which output device each one should use.
If some apps aren’t showing up yet, open them first, then refresh this menu. Not everyone knows this trick, but it’s a great way to split sound dynamically.
For each app — whether it’s Spotify, your browser, or Zoom — choose the correct monitor’s output from the dropdown in the Output column.
Keep in mind: if an app isn’t running when you set this up, it might not show up immediately. Sometimes a restart of the app or even rebooting the PC does the trick to get Windows to recognise the changes properly.
Step 5: Confirm and Test
Play some audio from different apps and check if it’s coming out of the right monitor. You might notice a slight flicker or delay, especially if drivers aren’t fully synced or hardware isn’t behaving perfectly — Windows can be a bit funny about this.
On some setups, it worked like a charm after a reboot; on others, I had to disable and re-enable devices or restart everything to get it to stick. Because, of course, Windows loves to complicate things.
Also, make sure your cables support audio — not all HDMI cables do — and check if your monitor has separate audio inputs that might need manual switching.
Tips for Splitting Audio Between Two Monitors Windows 11
- Make sure your monitors support audio: They need to be capable of audio via HDMI or DisplayPort. DVI and VGA won’t do the trick for splitting sound.
- Update your drivers: Regularly check your graphics and audio drivers — outdated drivers are usually the culprit behind recognition issues.
- Think about audio software: For more advanced routing, third-party apps like Voicemeeter can give you extra control, especially if Windows is being stubborn.
- Test it out: Play around with different apps and verify each one is going to the right monitor. Windows sometimes reverts settings, so some patience is key.
- Reboot if it’s acting up: Restarting or disabling/re-enabling devices from Device Manager can fix recognition glitches pretty quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split audio across more than two monitors?
Yeah, you can, but it depends on your hardware and how Windows sees all the devices. If they’re recognised as separate outputs, just assign different apps accordingly. If not, it gets a bit complicated fast.
Do I need any fancy software to split audio?
Not really. Windows 11’s built-in settings cover most of what you need. But third-party apps can make things a lot easier if Windows is giving you grief.
Why isn’t my monitor playing any sound?
Check your Sound settings again and make sure it’s selected as the output device. Also, verify your cables support audio and that your monitor’s volume isn’t muted or turned right down.
Can I switch back to just one audio source easily?
Sure can. Just set your main monitor as the default again and assign all apps to it if you want everything coming through one. Easy as.
Multiple users, different audio preferences?
Yep, Windows lets you create separate profiles, so each user can set their own audio routes without a drama.
Summary
- Open Sound Settings and manage your devices
- Set your main monitor as the default
- Use ‘App volume & device preferences’ to assign apps
- Test it out and tweak as needed — sometimes a reboot helps
- Keep your cables and drivers up to date
Hopefully, this saves someone a bit of a headache. The whole setup isn’t perfect, and sometimes Windows forgets your preferences, but with a bit of patience and some tweaks, you’ll be laughing.