Windows 11: How to Output Audio to Multiple Devices

Quick Tips

• You can configure Windows 11 output audio to multiple devices via the Settings.
• You have to first enable the Stereo Mix feature, which is available on most, but not all devices.
• This feature works best with devices connected via USB or 3.5mm, not HDMI or other cables.

Usually, when you want to play any kind of audio from your Windows 11 device, it’ll come out of one device at a time, which might be your speakers or a pair of wired headphones, for example. However, there may be cases where you want to output audio to multiple devices with Windows 11, like speakers and headphones, simultaneously.

It’s possible to do this, and this guide explores how to set up Windows 11 output audio to multiple devices.

Windows 11 – Output Audio to Multiple Devices: Step-by-Step

You’ll need to tinker with your device’s sound settings before you can start playing audio through multiple devices at the same time. To be more precise, you will have to enable a feature called “Stereo Mix.” Here is how it’s done:

Step 1. Open your device’s Settings menu. The fastest way to get there is by pressing the “Windows” and “I” keys at the same time. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut in the Start menu.

Step 2. Click on “System” and then “Sound” to access the audio settings.

Step 3. Look under the section labeled “Choose where to play sound.” You should see your available, connected audio output devices, like speakers and headphones. Make sure that one of the devices you want to play audio through is selected.

Step 4. Scroll down to find the “More sound settings” option, and click on it.

Step 5. A pop-up window will appear with more audio settings. Click over to the “Recording” tab and then click in any blank space within that tab. Look for the option labeled “Show Disabled Devices” and make sure it is selected so that any disabled devices show up in the list.

Step 6. Look for an entry in the list called “Stereo Mix.” Right-click on it and select “Enable.”

Step 7. Right-click again on “Stereo Mix” and select “Set as Default Device.”

Step 8. Double-click on “Stereo Mix” to access its settings. Then, click on the “Listen” tab. Check the box next to “Listen to this device,” and then use the drop-down menu to select the second audio output you want to use, in addition to the one you selected earlier in the sound settings.

Step 9. Finally, click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes. You may then want to restart your computer, and then try playing some audio to see if it works. Note that this won’t work perfectly on every device, as compatibility levels vary. Some machines don’t even support the “Stereo Mix” feature at all, and if yours doesn’t have it, then you won’t be able to output audio to multiple devices.