How do I change audio output mode?

What is Audio Output Mode

Audio output mode refers to how audio signals are transmitted from a source device like a computer, phone, or media player to an output device like speakers or headphones. The audio output mode determines factors like the number of channels (2 for stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 for surround sound), bit depth (16-bit, 24-bit etc.), and sampling rate (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz etc.) of the audio signal.

Some common audio output modes include:

Stereo – 2 channel audio with left and right channels.

Surround Sound – Multi-channel audio with left, right, center, surround left, surround right, and sometimes additional channels for immersive audio effects.
Dolby Digital – Advanced surround sound format used for DVDs, Blu-Rays, TV, and streaming. Supports up to 6 channels.
DTS – Competing surround sound format to Dolby Digital, also widely used.

Dolby Atmos – Newer immersive format that adds height channels for overhead audio.
PCM – Uncompressed pulse code modulated digital audio format.

The audio output mode determines the quality and spatial characteristics of the sound you hear from your playback device. Changing the output mode can enable multi-channel surround sound or higher fidelity stereo audio.

Why Change Audio Output Mode

There are several reasons you may want to change your audio output mode:

Switching between headset and speakers – You may want audio to come through your headphones sometimes and your external speakers other times. Changing the audio output mode lets you switch between these options.

Connecting to different devices – You may connect your computer or phone to external devices like bluetooth speakers, smart TVs, or stereo systems. Changing the audio output lets you direct sound to different connected devices.

Optimizing for media – For music listening or movie watching, you may want to switch to a high fidelity stereo mode. For voice chats or phone calls, a headset mode may be preferable.

Troubleshooting issues – Sometimes audio may go to the wrong device or have quality issues. Changing modes can help resolve problems like echos, interruptions, or poor sound quality.

Each audio output mode serves a different function and connects to different hardware endpoints. Having control over the output mode allows you to optimize audio for different use cases.

Check Current Audio Output Mode

Before changing your audio output mode, it’s important to check what your current audio output mode is set to. This ensures you are switching to the desired mode and helps troubleshoot any issues.

On Windows, open the Sound Control Panel by right clicking the sound icon in the system tray and selecting Sounds. Under the Playback tab, the device set as Default is the current audio output. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-your-audio-output-settings-2023603e-7fe4-0818-0d36-ec7b34b9232e#:~:text=Right%2Dclick%20your%20speaker%20icon,the%20Playback%20tab%2C%20choose%20Speakers.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound. The device listed under Output is the current audio output mode. https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-sound-output-device-mchlf6d108da/mac

On iPhone/iPad, go to Settings > Sounds (or Sounds & Haptics). Under the Ringer and Alerts section, the audio device shown is the current output mode. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202568

On Android, go to Settings > Sound/Sounds and vibration. The device listed under Media is the current audio output. https://support.google.com/android/answer/9430585?hl=en

Change Audio Output Mode in Windows

Here are the steps to change the audio output mode in Windows 10 and 11:

1. Click on the speaker icon in the system tray in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open the volume mixer.

2. Click on the ^ arrow next to the current audio output device name to see a drop down list of available output devices such as speakers or headphones.

3. Select the desired audio output device from the drop down list. This will change the active audio output.

4. You can also right click on the speaker icon and select “Open Sound settings” to access the Sound Control Panel. Here you can set the default audio playback device.

5. In the Sound Control Panel, under the Playback tab, select the device you want to use for audio output. Click the “Set Default” button to change the system-wide audio output.

6. To change audio output on a per-app basis, right click the app icon in the taskbar and select the output device to use just for that app.

These steps apply for both Windows 10 and the latest Windows 11 operating systems. The process is very similar with only minor UI changes between versions.

For more details, refer to this helpful guide: How to Select Different Audio Output Devices in Windows 10

Change Audio Output Mode on Mac

Here are the steps to change the audio output mode on a Mac computer running macOS:

1. Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.

2. Click on “Sound” in the sidebar to open the Sound preferences pane. (1)

3. Select the “Output” tab at the top.

4. Under the “Select a device for sound output” section, choose your desired audio output device from the dropdown menu.

5. Your options for audio output may include your Mac’s internal speakers, a connected display or TV, AirPods, or external speakers or headphones connected via USB, Bluetooth, or a 3.5mm audio jack.

6. You can also click the “Output” volume slider to adjust the volume for the selected audio output device.

7. If you want to use separate audio output devices for different apps, click the “App volume and device preferences…” button.

8. Choose each app shown and select the desired audio output device to use when that app is active. (2)

9. Close the Sound preferences pane when you are done adjusting the audio output settings on your Mac.

Change Audio Output Mode on iPhone/iPad

Here are the steps to change the audio output mode on an iPhone or iPad running iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on “Accessibility”.

3. Under “Hearing”, tap on “Audio/Visual”.

4. Under “Routing”, you can choose the audio output. Options include:

Automatic – Automatically switch audio based on connected device

Headphone Jack
HDMI
Bluetooth

Speaker

5. Select your desired audio output mode.

This will change the audio routing so sound will come out of the chosen output. You can toggle between the different outputs as needed.

For example, if you want the audio to use connected Bluetooth headphones instead of the iPhone speaker, choose “Bluetooth” under the Routing options.

If you are connected to an external display via HDMI and want the audio through the display, choose “HDMI”.

The Automatic setting will switch between outputs like headphones, HDMI, and speaker based on what’s actively connected.

That covers the main steps for changing the audio output mode on an iPhone or iPad. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

Change Audio Output Mode on Android

There are a few different ways to change the audio output on Android devices. The easiest method is to use the Quick Settings panel.

To change audio output via Quick Settings:

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
Long press on the audio output icon. This is typically a Bluetooth or headphone icon.
Select your desired audio output mode from the list. Options may include Speaker, Bluetooth, Wired Headphones, etc.

You can also change audio output via the Settings app:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on Connected Devices or Bluetooth.

Tap on the Settings icon next to your paired Bluetooth device.
Tap on Audio output and select your preferred option.

On Android 11 and higher, there is an Audio Switch feature that lets you quickly toggle between audio outputs. To enable:

Go to Settings > Connected devices.
Tap on the name of your Bluetooth device.
Toggle on Audio switch.

Now you can quickly change audio output modes from the volume menu by tapping the icon in the top right. This makes switching audio seamless across wired headphones, speakers, and Bluetooth devices.

Change Audio Output via Hardware

Some external audio devices like amplifiers, receivers, and sound bars allow you to change the audio output mode through hardware settings. This allows you to switch between stereo, surround sound, and other output modes supported by the device.

To change audio output mode through hardware settings:

– Locate the audio settings on your amplifier, receiver, or sound bar. There may be a button labeled “Audio” or buttons to select stereo, surround, etc.[1] Some devices have menus accessed through a display panel.

– Navigate to the audio output mode options and select your preferred setting like stereo, Dolby surround, DTS surround, etc. The available options depend on the capabilities of your device.

– Changing this setting routes audio signals according to your selection. For example, selecting a surround sound mode will send audio to multiple speakers for an immersive experience.

– Some devices have different output selections depending on the audio source. Make sure to set your preferred output per input source like Blu-ray, TV, or streaming if available.

– Check your device documentation if you need help locating the audio output controls and options. Some manufacturers also have guidance on their websites.

Adjusting audio output via hardware gives you direct control and bypasses any software settings on your playback sources. Just be sure the source audio format matches your selected output mode for optimal performance.

1. https://www.techhive.com/article/3158192/home-audio/how-to-adjust-your-home-theater-receiver-settings.html

Troubleshooting Audio Output Mode

If you are having issues changing or using your preferred audio output mode, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:

Audio Not Coming Through Desired Output

If you have changed the audio output mode but are still not hearing audio through your preferred output device like external speakers or Bluetooth headphones, try the following:

Check your cables – Make sure all cables connected to your external audio devices are properly inserted and not loose.
Check power and volume – Make sure powered speakers are turned on and the volume on both the output device and audio source is turned up.
Check default device settings – Open your Sound Control Panel (Windows) or Sound System Preferences (Mac) to confirm you have selected your preferred audio output device as the default.

Restart your device – Try restarting your computer or mobile device to refresh audio drivers.
Update audio drivers – On Windows, update your Sound, Audio or Hardware drivers if available. On Mac, make sure your OS is up-to-date.

Can’t Select Desired Audio Output Mode

If you are unable to select your desired output mode from the options for some reason, try these steps:

Connect device – Make sure your external audio output device like speakers or headphones is fully connected and detected by your system before trying to select it as an output option.
Use original cables – Try using the original audio cables that came with an external audio output device for proper compatibility.
Disable audio enhancements – Features like Equalizers, Surround Sound or Spatial Audio may prevent you from selecting some basic stereo output modes. Try disabling any audio enhancements.

Update configurations – For HDMI or USB-C connections, make sure Output Configurations or Routing options are updated in your Sound Control Panel and set to use external audio.

Following troubleshooting best practices step-by-step can help resolve most audio output mode issues. Contact customer support for your device if problems persist.

Conclusion

To sum up, we covered how to check your current audio output mode and change it based on your needs for various devices and systems. Whether you wanted to switch to stereo, surround sound, or to output to external speakers or headphones, there are several options available.

If you’re still having trouble getting the audio settings and output right for your needs, here are some additional resources that may help:

Try your device or audio software’s Help or Support sections for troubleshooting and tutorials
Search online forums, such as Reddit or community forums, for answers specific to your device and issue

Check for manufacturer updates and drivers for your device, headphones, speakers, adapter or converter
Need help? Consult a computer or audio expert to assist you further