You’ve probably already checked the volume bar on the app you’re using and the taskbar, and it’s set to maximum. Don’t give up just yet. Before you abandon your pajama pants and the “Netflix and chill” mood in favor of cable TV, try the following fixes to fix low volume on Windows.
1. Try a Different Audio Device
Let’s rule out the most common issue first, which is that your audio device may be on its last legs. If you have more than one pair of earphones or headphones lying around the house, try to check if they work fine.
Whether you’re using speakers, earphones, or headphones, try a different device and see if you notice any difference in the volume. Earphones in particular are prone to wear and tear even with gentle use, so you may want to switch your pair to rule out a damaged earphone.
If you’re using headphones with a volume wheel somewhere near the microphone, make sure it’s set to full volume. Sometimes, users unintentionally turn the wheel when they move around while wearing the headphones. This turns the volume down without the user realizing it.
2. Check the Volume Mixer
Windows allows you to control volume for each application separately. For instance, if you’re watching a video on YouTube and a media player simultaneously, you can use the volume mixer to lower the browser’s volume so you can hear the media player’s audio better.
It’s easy to see how this could become a cause for a sudden low volume on Windows. If you’ve inadvertently lowered the volume for a particular application, you may find that the volume is awfully low even though you’ve set the device’s volume to the max.
You can remedy this by opening the volume mixer from the sound icon in the taskbar. Right-click on the sound icon and select Open Volume Mixer. You’ll see all the applications that are currently playing media. If the volume slider for any of these apps is set lower than it should be, pull it back up and this should fix the problem.
3. Run the Audio Troubleshooter
If you can’t seem to be able to identify the problem, it’s time to seek help from Windows. Fortunately, Windows has lots of built-in troubleshooters to help you with a range of issues. To use the audio troubleshooter, press Win + I and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Move over to the right pane and click on Additional troubleshooters. Select Playing Audio from the list and click on Run the troubleshooter. Follow the prompts and see if Windows is able to find a solution for you.
4. Enable Loudness Equalization
At this point, you may want to consider boosting the volume output for your computer. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to do this.
Windows has a built-in feature called Loudness Equalization that can boost your computer’s volume output. To enable Loudness Equalization, right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar and select Sound. Switch to the Playback devices tab and look for your default audio device.
Right-click on the default device and select Properties. Switch to the Enhancements tab. Check the box beside Loudness Equalization, and press OK to save changes and exit.
5. Try Using VLC
If you encounter this issue while using a media player, consider using VLC. Among VLC’s ton of features is one that lets users boost the volume to up to 300 percent. It’s unlikely you’ll want to turn the volume up that high (for the sake of your ears), but you do have the option if you so choose.
By default, VLC’s maximum volume is set to go up to 125 percent. You’ll need to change the maximum volume from preferences.
Launch VLC and click on Tools > Preferences. At the bottom-left of the screen, select the radio button beside All to see all settings.
From the left pane, navigate to Main interfaces > Qt and switch to the right pane. Scroll down to Maximum Volume displayed and change the number from 125 to 300.
This should crank up the volume high enough for you to enjoy your movie. If you’re using Netflix though, try the next fix.
6. Add the Volume Booster Extension
If you’re using Google Chrome (or a Chromium-based browser), you can use the Volume Booster browser extension to boost audio played on your browser.
Add the extension to your browser and head over to the video you’d like to play. When you’re on the video page, click on the Volume Booster extension at the top-right end of the browser, next to the URL bar. You’ll see a volume control seek. It has a red zone to the right, which means you should be careful about dragging that seek all the way to the right unless your ears aren’t dear to you.
If you’re streaming movies or sitcoms online, this should work well in helping you turn up the volume to a good level.
7. Use Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps can help you boost your volume. For this article, we’re going to use Equalizer APO, which is also our first recommendation among the best sound equalizers for Windows.
To use this program, download and install Equalizer APO. Launch the app and it should automatically open on the Configurator window. Check the boxes against the devices you want to install the equalizer for and press OK.
Next, navigate to the directory where you’ve installed Equalizer APO and look for a text file named “config”. Open it and delete all the text. Then, add Preamp: +10 dB to the text file, save it, and exit. Your chosen audio devices should now enjoy boosted audio.
All Loud and Clear?
Hopefully, you’re now able to listen to everything loud and clear on your PC. If you want a refined audio experience, though, you may want to consider investing in a decent pair of headphones. Headphone specs can be complex to understand, so be sure to do your research before buying.
