Automatically switch audio devices

[PalkiaRock484]

I use audio through hdmi from my graphics card on my computer and I'd like it to switch automatically to my headphones when they plug in. Is there a way to do this?

[unidentical]

Probably not. Typically applications will either have their own default audio device or will use the windows default. 

 

The challenge with switching in this case is that, assuming you're plugging headphones in to your front panel or rear I/O, you're actually using two entirely different audio processors. Video card and chipset. 

 

You might have better luck plugging the headphones in to the same device the HDMI puts the audio through, if it's a monitor with speakers it might automatically switch the output with the phones plugged in.

[PalkiaRock484]

Yeah my monitor has an audio output but its so hard to reach. I'll try to deal with it though. Thanks for the feedback

[PalkiaRock484]

Nevermind, my monitor gives horrible feedback. I'll find a way

[PalkiaRock484]

7 minutes ago, unidentical said:

Probably not. Typically applications will either have their own default audio device or will use the windows default. 

 

The challenge with switching in this case is that, assuming you're plugging headphones in to your front panel or rear I/O, you're actually using two entirely different audio processors. Video card and chipset. 

 

You might have better luck plugging the headphones in to the same device the HDMI puts the audio through, if it's a monitor with speakers it might automatically switch the output with the phones plugged in.

I figured it out, I just set my headphones as default, and whenever I unplug them, the monitor becomes the default again. And when I plug them back in the headphones become the default.

[unidentical]

1 hour ago, PalkiaRock484 said:

I figured it out, I just set my headphones as default, and whenever I unplug them, the monitor becomes the default again. And when I plug them back in the headphones become the default.

I'm honestly surprised that worked, had so many silly issues with Windows and sound lately. 

 

Good on ya mate.

[Curufinwe_wins]

14 hours ago, PalkiaRock484 said:

I figured it out, I just set my headphones as default, and whenever I unplug them, the monitor becomes the default again. And when I plug them back in the headphones become the default.

There is another even more robust solution.

 

Search the program soundswitch. It takes less than 10 minutes to set up and it automates the process of swapping between sound outputs. This way with a simple keyboard shortcut (or in my case a mouse shortcut) you can instantly swap between speakers and headphones (I also have speakers hooked up through Displayport audio on my monitor). 

 

You don't even have to remove your headphones to swap (I leave mine plugged in).