Turning on loudness equalisation in Windows 11 is a pretty handy way to stop your audio from bouncing all over the shop. If you’ve noticed your volume jumps wildly between apps or media, this feature helps even things out a bit. In theory, it smooths out the peaks and troughs so your sound feels more balanced. Just a heads up: Windows can be a bit frustrating with this stuff — sometimes the option’s hidden deep in settings or your device drivers don’t support it.
How to Turn on Loudness Equalisation in Windows 11
Basically, flicking this on helps you get more even sound levels without messing around with the volume all the time. Here’s how to do it — just bear in mind, on some setups, the option might not show up unless your sound driver supports it or you’ve got the latest updates installed.
Step 1: Open the Sound Settings
Start by right-clicking the speaker icon in the taskbar and selecting “Sound settings”. Or, if that’s quick enough for ya, go to Settings via the Start Menu, then head to System > Sound. Sometimes you need to dig through menus because Windows still likes to hide important options deep down.
Step 2: Access the Sound Control Panel
In Sound settings, scroll down to find Advanced sound options or click on Sound Control Panel on the right. It’s a bit of a pain, but you’ll need to click that link to get the classic settings window. Seems Windows’s way of making things more complicated than they need to be.
Step 3: Open your Playback Device Properties
In the Sound window, switch to the Playback tab. Find your main audio device (speakers or headphones), click on it, then hit Properties. You’ve got to open the device’s full settings to see the options we’re after — just viewing the list isn’t enough.
Step 4: Enable Loudness Equalisation
Click on the Enhancements tab. Sometimes this tab is missing — especially if your driver doesn’t support enhancements or Windows hid it because of driver issues. If it’s there, check the box next to Loudness Equalisation, then hit Apply and OK. Fair dinkum: on some systems, this option only appears after updating or reinstalling your sound drivers. You might need to jump onto the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers. And sometimes, just rebooting or logging out and back in fixes it.
If that doesn’t do the trick, try updating your sound driver via Device Manager — right-click the Start button, choose Device Manager, find your sound device under Sound, video and game controllers, then right-click and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If that doesn’t help, hit the support page for your device and grab the latest driver file.
Step 5: Confirm and Give it a Test
After you’ve flicked it on, give your audio a whirl with some music, videos, or calls. You should notice the volume calms down a bit, with less jumping around. If it’s still not right away, reboot your PC and check again. Sometimes it only kicks in after a restart.
Tips for Loudness Equalisation in Windows 11
- Check if your device supports it: Not all sound cards will have this option, especially if the drivers are old or generic.
- Keep everything up to date: Drivers, Windows updates, and your sound software if you’ve got any. Because, typical Windows stuff — always a bit of a hassle.
- Test with different media: Some apps handle sound a bit differently, so try music, movies, and games to see what’s really changing.
- Adjust your environment: If your room’s noisy, loudness correction only does so much, but it’s worth a shot.
- Quality gear helps: Cheap speakers or old headphones often miss the nuance, so good gear makes the effect more noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is loudness equalisation?
It’s a feature that makes quiet sounds louder and loud sounds quieter, evening things out across the board. Very handy if you’re tired of constantly changing the volume.
Why can’t I find the loudness equalisation setting?
This depends on your sound card and drivers. Some older or cheaper hardware just doesn’t support it. Double-check your device manual, keep your drivers up to date, or try a different device if you can.
Will enabling loudness equalisation mess with sound quality?
It’s a bit of a trade-off — sometimes it dulls the finer details, especially if you’re a serious audiophile. But generally, it gives a smoother overall sound and is easier on your ears.
Can I enable this for certain apps?
This setting applies system-wide, so it affects everything. Some apps have their own sound settings, but turning this on or off will change how everything sounds overall.
Is loudness equalisation available on all Windows versions?
It’s mainly on Windows 10 and 11, but it depends on your hardware. You might need the latest drivers or a supported sound card for it to show up.
Summary
- Open Sound Settings
- Go to Hardware and Sound
- Click Sound and then Properties
- Head to Enhancements (if it’s there)
- Tick Loudness Equalisation
That’s about it — hope it helps you out. Good luck!