adjusting one app audio also adjust other active apps audio visually

Question

adjusting one app audio also adjust other active apps audio visually

Nguyen Sorano 0

When using the per app audio volume adjusting feature in specifically the task bar, every other app that is active also get visually adjusted and stayed at the same level as selected app

While their original audio level is still the same, unchange, this was just a visual bug, anyone know how to fix it

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 10,135 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Nguyen Sorano,

I understand how frustrating it can be when adjusting the volume of one app from the taskbar audio mixer in Windows 11, the volume sliders for other active apps visually move to the same level, even though their actual audio volumes remain unchanged.

Before proceeding, could you clarify:

Does this occur with all applications or only specific apps?
Which Windows 11 version and OS build are you currently running? (Settings > System > About)

In the meantime, you can try these steps below to troubleshoot the issue:

Option 1: Restart the Windows Audio services.

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Restart Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

Option 2: Reset the volume mixer settings.

Go to Settings > System > Sound > Volume mixer.
Click Reset under Apps and input devices.

Option 3: Run the Audio Troubleshooter.

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter.

Option 4: Update or reinstall the audio driver.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Update the audio driver or uninstall it and restart the PC.

Option 5: Check for Windows updates.

Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Install any available updates, including optional driver updates.

I hope the steps above help you deal with your issue.

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Nguyen Sorano 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T11:57:53.0933333+00:00

All of the options (5 options) you sent didn't fix anything

To answer your question, i stated before in my original question but to make it clearer it happen to every app, all application, every single one that is running and has a volume level option

i'm on window 11, everything is recently updated so i can say everything is up to date

thanks for your help
Emma1-N 10,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T08:02:40.51+00:00
Hello Nguyen Sorano,

Thank you for response. You can check the step: Disable Exclusive Mode

Open Control Panel > Sound

Double-click your playback device

Go to Advanced

Uncheck:

Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

Give exclusive mode applications priority

Click “Apply” and restart Windows
Emma1-N 10,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-07T04:12:56.33+00:00

Hello Nguyen Sorano,

Is there any update from you? Please let me know, I will be here to assist you.
Nguyen Sorano 0 Reputation points

2026-08-07T10:41:48.1866667+00:00

@Emma1-N

https://youtu.be/cMgV2IVg8go

this might help you visualize my situation
Emma1-N 10,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-08T07:14:16.5033333+00:00
Hello Nguyen Sorano,

I reviewed the video and understand the issue you're experiencing. Since the problem appears to be related to the Windows audio UI, please try performing an In-place Repair.

An In-place Repair reinstalls the Windows operating system while keeping your personal files, applications, and settings intact. This process can repair corrupted system files and Windows components that may be causing unexpected UI behaviors, such as the Volume Mixer displaying incorrect per-app volume levels.

Go to Windows 11 website: Download Windows 11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on ISO then click Mount> then Click Setup.exe

You may be prompted by User Account Control. If so, click on Yes.

In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next.

Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.

Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.

On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.

Then click Install and just follow the prompt.

Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.