Windows 11 Lowers volume while in a "call" - Communications tab not changing anything

Question

Windows 11 Lowers volume while in a "call" - Communications tab not changing anything

Christian Bankovic 0

I'm running Windows 11, and anytime I have Spotify playing while in a Google Meet call, if I have the Spotify volume turned down enough (~50% in the application), while someone in speaking, something on my computer automatically dampens Spotify's volume to become near-inaudible. If it's above this threshold, Spotify plays perfectly fine in the background some of the time (this "something" dampens Spotify intermittently and inconsistently).

This also happens while in a Discord voice chat--however, this causes ALL sound (including the people speaking in Discord!) to lower to inaudible amounts. This ONLY happens in Discord's mainstream version; it doesn't happen in Discord's beta version, Discord PTB, for whatever reason.

It's important to note that I have already gone to Sound Settings, gone to the Communciations tab, and changed the "When Windows detects communications activity" to "Do nothing". I've triple-checked that I have. This didn't change any behavior at all.

Does anybody have a solution? It's not an application issue, because this behavior happens in both Discord and Google Meet and the behavior is different between two different Discord clients. This must somehow be a Windows thing.

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2 answers

Answer 1

Hi Christian Bankovic,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A and thanks for sharing the details. I know how annoying it can be when your music or call audio suddenly drops while you’re in a meeting or voice chat.

Here are a few things you can try that usually fix this issue:

Step1: Turn Off Exclusive Mode for Audio Devices

This prevents apps from taking full control of your audio device, which can cause other sounds to lower.

Right-click the speaker icon → Sounds → Playback tab.
Select your default output device → Properties → Advanced tab.
Uncheck:
- Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
  - Give exclusive mode applications priority
  - Do the same for your microphone under the Recording tab.

Step 2: Check App Volume and Disable Enhancements

Sometimes Windows or apps adjust volume automatically or apply effects that interfere with playback:

Go to Settings → System → Sound → Volume Mixer and make sure Spotify, Discord, and your browser (for Google Meet) aren’t being auto-adjusted.
Under Advanced sound options, review App volume and device preferences.
In your device properties, turn off Spatial Sound and any Enhancements like Loudness Equalization.

Step 3: Turn Off Game Bar and Focus Assist

These features can sometimes trigger audio changes during calls or gaming. Please try:

Disable Game Bar: Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → Off.
Disable Focus Assist: Settings → System → Focus Assist → Off.

Step 4: Adjust Discord Settings

Discord’s audio settings can affect how Windows handles sound:

In Discord → User Settings → Voice & Video:
- Turn off Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority.
  - Switch Audio Subsystem from Standard to Legacy (or vice versa).
    - Temporarily disable Echo Cancellation / Noise Suppression to test.

Step 5: Advanced Option: Registry Change

This changes Windows’ hidden setting that controls audio ducking:

Open Registry Editor and go to:

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Multimedia\Audio

Find UserDuckingPreference and set it to:
- 0 = Reduce by 50%
- 1 = Mute
- 2 = Do Nothing
Restart your PC after making the change.

Disclaimer: Generally, modifying registry subkeys or work groups is intended for advanced users, administrators, and IT Professionals. It can help fix some problems, however, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For further protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click How to back up and restore the registry in Windows - Microsoft Support to view the article.

Please try these steps and let us know if the issue continues—we’ll be happy to help further if needed.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Christian Bankovic 0 Reputation points

2025-08-29T23:16:22.32+00:00

I'm attempting to follow your instructions, but the locations of each of these settings you've described are not in the places you are telling me they are in. Notably, I cannot click "Off" in the Xbox Game Bar settings tab, and there is no button for "Advanced sound options".

In the past, I have attempted to fiddle with Discord's settings. This did not change anything. Furthermore, unchecking "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" did not do anything. Turning off Spatial Sound also did not do anything.

However, turning off audio enhancements fixed my problem... but I really like my audio enhancements, and there does not seem to be an option to pick and choose which type of "enhancements" I want. There is no option that says "Loudness Equalization" or similar; only "Device Default Effects" or "Off." It looks like there is only an enhancement called "AggregatedSpeaker" underneath the dropdown menu in System -> Sound -> Speakers -> Audio Enhancements, but I cannot interact with it at all.

Finally: I would rather not change a registry using what feels like incorrect AI-generated information. The points I made at the start of this comment make the entire post feel invalidated, even if one (and only one) of the tips you suggested were spot-on. (I apologize for being skeptic; the reason I bring this up is because I would rather find an alternative solution that doesn't involve me messing with the core of my computer.)

Is there any way for me to fix this issue while retaining the Audio Enhancement I am using? Is it possible for me to find a different audio enhancement that enhances the audio in only the way I want it to? Thank you!!
Clary-N 19,130 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-30T10:25:39.73+00:00

Hi Christian Bankovic,

Thank you for pointing that out, and I apologize for any confusion earlier. It looks like step 1 wasn’t clear enough, so let me clarify and provide an updated approach:

Step1: Turn Off Exclusive Mode for Audio Devices

This prevents apps from taking full control of your audio device, which can cause other sounds to lower.

Go to Settings (Windows+ I) > System > Sound

Scroll down then select Output devices under Advanced sound settings section

Right-click the speaker icon → Sounds → Playback tab.

Select your default output device → Properties → Advanced tab.

Uncheck:

Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

Give exclusive mode applications priority

Do the same for your microphone under the Recording tab.

Besides, I completely understand that you want to keep your audio enhancements without breaking anything else. You’ve done a great job troubleshooting so far, and your caution about avoiding registry edits is absolutely understandable.

Unfortunately, Windows’ built-in options are limited as you can’t selectively enable individual enhancements. However, updating your audio driver or using your device’s OEM audio software often unlocks more options or resolves conflicts. Here’s how you can procced the update for your audio driver:
-Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).

-Right-click your audio device under Sound, video and game controllers → Update driver → Search automatically.

-Restart your PC.

-If no update is found, please download the latest driver from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website.

Please keep me updated about the results. I’m still here to support you further if needed.

Answer 2

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