Splitting audio between two monitors in Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but kind of weird how many steps there are for something you’d think should be simple. Usually, Windows treats audio outputs in a default way — one device, one sound. But if you wanna play different sounds on each monitor, you need to get into the sound settings and set things up properly.
Step-by-Step: How to Split Audio Between Two Monitors Windows 11
Basically, you’ll be configuring Windows so it knows that your monitors can handle sound independently, and then assign apps individually if needed. Here’s how I’ve managed to do it on some setups, and honestly, it’s 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 prefer through the menu. This opens the main sound control panel where you finally get to poke around with devices.
On some setups, you might see only one active device, even if both monitors are plugged in via HDMI or DisplayPort. If so, proceed to the next step — sometimes Windows doesn’t recognize both as separate audio outputs immediately.
Step 2: Manage Your Devices
In the Sound settings, click on Manage sound devices or look for Output devices. Here, ensure both monitors are listed as audio output devices. If one isn’t showing up, double-check that your cables are HDMI or DisplayPort (which support audio) and that the drivers are up to date.
Oddly enough, on some systems, only one monitor shows as an output unless you manually enable or install specific high-definition audio drivers from your GPU or motherboard manufacturer.
Step 3: Make One Monitor the Default
Pick one monitor (usually the one you want to be the main audio source) and click Set as Default. This helps Windows send most sounds there unless you specify otherwise later. Think of it as your primary speaker.
Note: If you’re using multiple audio sources (like speakers or headphones simultaneously), you’ll have to physically disconnect or disable some devices to avoid confusion, or manage volume individually later.
Step 4: Fine-tune Using App Volume & Device Preferences
This is where the real magic happens. Scroll down in the Sound Settings page to find All sound devices, then click on Apps & device preferences. Here, you see a list of running apps, plus options to choose which output device each app should use.
If you don’t see some apps listed yet, open them first, then refresh this menu. Not everyone knows this part, but it’s a lifesaver for splitting sound on the fly.
For each app—like your music player, browser, or Zoom—select the appropriate monitor’s output from the dropdown in the Output column.
Keep in mind: this can be tricky because if an app isn’t running, it might not show up. Sometimes, you need to restart the app or even reboot the PC to get Windows to recognize changes properly.
Step 5: Confirm and Test
Play some audio from different apps and see if they’re coming out of the correct monitor. Expect some flickering or delays, especially if drivers aren’t fully synced or if hardware isn’t fully compatible — Windows can be weird about this.
On one setup it worked flawlessly after a reboot, on another, I had to disable and re-enable devices or restart for settings to stick. Because, of course, Windows has to make everything harder than it should.
Also, make sure your cables support audio, as not all HDMI cables do, and some monitors have separate audio inputs that need to be selected manually.
Tips for Splitting Audio Between Two Monitors Windows 11
- Ensure Audio Support: Both monitors need to be audio capable and connected via HDMI or DisplayPort. DVI or VGA won’t do the trick for audio splitting.
- Update Drivers: Check your graphics card and audio drivers regularly — outdated drivers are the main cause of weird recognition issues.
- Consider Audio Software: For more sophisticated splitting or routing, third-party apps like Voicemeeter can give more control, especially if Windows is being stubborn.
- Test Everything: Play around with different apps, and verify each is going to the right monitor. Sometimes Windows defaults back, so a little patience helps.
- Reboot if it’s acting up: A simple restart or disable/re-enable the devices from Device Manager sometimes fixes recognition bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split audio between more than two monitors?
Yeah, you can, but it depends on your hardware and how Windows recognizes all those devices. If they’re all recognized as separate outputs, just assign different apps as needed. Otherwise, it gets complicated fast.
Do I need special software to split audio?
Not really. Windows 11’s own settings cover most of what you need, but third-party apps can make it more reliable if Windows refuses to cooperate.
Why isn’t my monitor playing any sound?
Check Sound settings again and ensure it’s selected as an output device. Also, confirm your cables support audio and the monitor’s volume isn’t muted or turned down.
Can I revert back to a single audio source easily?
Sure. Just set your main monitor as the default again and assign all apps to it if you want ‘all-in-one’ sound. Easy enough.
Multiple users, multiple audio prefs?
Yes, Windows allows separate profiles, so different user accounts can have their own audio routing. No big deal there.
Summary
- Open Sound Settings and manage devices
- Set your primary monitor as default
- Use ‘App volume & device preferences’ to assign apps
- Test and tweak as needed, sometimes a reboot helps
- Make sure cables and drivers are up to date
Hopefully, this saves someone a bit of headache. The whole process isn’t perfect, and sometimes Windows just decides to forget your preferences, but at least it’s doable with some patience and a few tweaks.