Sadnehs Oct 12, 2022 @ 10:35pm
Unable to hear Steam system sounds
Steam's system sounds (for example the friend notification) are never audible. I suspect Steam is outputting system sounds to some audio device that doesn't exist or doesn't play out loud (I used to use Virtual Audio Cable to separate Discord chat from OBS, maybe Steam is still trying to send audio there).

My problem is, how can I tell Steam to output to a different audio device? I see it's attempting to output to "Speakers" according to Windows volume mixer. I don't, nor have I ever had speakers.
Default playback AND communication device is my headphones (front audio jack). Clicking on the Steam icon in the volume mixer would For other applications, open a windows dialogue to select the audio output device for the application. But Steam does nothing.

I am having the exact same issue with Discord system sounds (message boop, and call entering and leaving), though I'm not expecting answers for that here, just worth noting context.
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atti Oct 13, 2022 @ 3:05am 
The Speakers option in Volume Mixer is the Master Volume on your PC. It essentially allows you to control the overall volume on your PC. The best way to explain it is via Windows > Settings > Sound > Master volume. Moving it up or down will change the volume for Speakers in Volume Mixer.

You can in theory change the output of any program to whatever audio port, but it's way too excessive for what you're trying to fix (tends to bug out if you remove your audio cords). To increase the volume of any application, open your Volume Mixer and adjust the Steam and Discord application volume to max. If the audio is still too quiet, open the Windows Sound Settings and change the Output Device for your computer or adjust the Master volume. There's also software that allow you to boost a programs sound output.
Iceira Oct 13, 2022 @ 3:19am 
First mistake is laptop and desktop is a huge diffrent sounds setup, because laptop is seen as remote pc then its logic then headphones plugin it mute laptop speakers, then that is said , then it can be change by OS per app today, maybe it always was so, but most see it follower main default OS sound settings, and this has been seen before that app can be Zero after a update and i dont know what cause this. ( and it dont help that old previous OD dont even had a headphone logo and all is sterio speaker unlesss you told system with diffrent logo.

and this dont ruleout own onboard sounds Driver or board support support palce might have a update for you.

ps.
technical steam dont have sound device it use what system told it, and then use what is there or default system, this just tell me, your driver dont seem to work or anymore as it use to.

you need board or sound card support place driver for that.
( steam cant help you if system dont show right or generic from system if its a old headphone from the past. )
snorbson Oct 13, 2022 @ 11:31am 
You can try audioswitch app to change between outputs. I am waiting for audioswitch heapdhone stand personally.
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Date Posted: Oct 12, 2022 @ 10:35pm
Posts: 3