How to Maximize Volume in Windows

Sometimes all you need is to turn the volume up to 100. However, other times, you need a little extra boost. When the Windows volume is high but things are still too quiet, these options can make the sound a little louder. The following methods show you how to increase the volume to the maximum in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Increase the volume using Equalizer APO

Equalizer APO is a free, open-source program that gives you extremely precise control over your computer's equalizer settings. We could do a full feature on all the crazy things you can do with this program, but for now, we're just focusing on maximizing the sound.

1. Download and install Equalizer APO. Click Extract all To view the installer using the tool Zip Extraction Like 7-Zip.

2. In a window Configurator For the installer, select the devices you want to use with APO (headphones, for example).

3. When the APO installation is complete, you will be asked to restart Windows.
4. After restarting the device, go to the installation guide. “Equalizer APO” , followed by a volume "Config" , then open the file "Config" In Notepad.

5. Change the number Preamp to the maximum +20 dB (Ideally, +10 dB is more than enough) and delete the rest of the text in the file so that it looks like the following image.

6. Save the file, restart your computer, and you're good to go!
If you're using headphones with your Windows device, Make sure to troubleshoot in advance with these tips..

2. Check the program sound.

Some video players may come with an option to increase the volume. For example, if you find VLC a little quiet, you can increase its volume by up to 300 percent within the player itself. Note that the higher the volume, the more distorted the audio may be. It's a quick method, but it's not necessarily the cleanest.

1. By default, VLC only switches to 125 percent volume in the slider in the bottom right corner. To increase this, go to Tools -> Preferences , Then click "everyone" In the lower left corner of the window.

2. Within Main interfaces In the pane that appears, click “Qt” , then scroll down and increase Maximum displayed volume To "200" Or "300".

3. Adjust the volume down option if voice calls cause a problem.

If everything sounds perfectly fine during regular use but suddenly drops when you enter a voice call, you have a communications option set to lower volume during calls in Windows 11/10.

1. Click the button START YOUR , then type "control Board" And press Enter.

2. From the main control panel, go to Hardware and Sound -> Sound.

3. In the pop-up window, click the tab. "Communications". Make sure the radio buttons are set to "Do nothing."

If not set to "Do nothing" , go ahead and set it, then click on "OK". Now the sound will not decrease during calls!

4. Check individual program levels.

If the sound bar for each app is at a good volume level, that particular app's volume may be low. To double-check this, balance the volume levels of individual programs as shown. The methods for increasing the volume in Windows 11 are slightly different from those in Windows 10.

1. In Windows 10, go to Settings -> System -> Sound or select Audio Mixer Options From the Start menu. You can also right-click the volume icon in the taskbar, and then click Open the sound mixer.

2. Windows 11 has its own dedicated option for Volume mixer , which can be opened from the search menu. "Start".

3. For input and output devices on Windows 11, check the individual volume levels. If the bar is lower than the others, raise it to the same level.

You'll see all the programs you have open with their individual volume levels. Make sure the volume of a quiet app isn't low for some reason.

In Windows 11, a window opens App sound and device preferencesHere you can adjust the volume of individual input and output devices to ensure they are at similar levels.

5. Use audio enhancements

If everything is generally too quiet, you can use sound enhancements in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to give your volume levels an extra boost.

1. In Windows 10, right-click the sound control in the toolbar, and then click Open Volume MixerClick on the icon of the current device you are using.

In Windows 11, go to “Sound Control Panel”. Go to the tab CommunicationsSelect your speaker, headphones, or other listening device and click "Characteristics" for the device.

2. Once the speaker or headphones properties are displayed in Windows 11, go to the tab "Advanced Options" Check the box Enable audio enhancements If not already specified.

In Windows 10, there is a tab Improvements Separate within "Speaker characteristics". Check the box Loudness equation And apply it.

Working with audio enhancements will further enhance the sound, hopefully making it loud enough for you to hear! However, If you don't hear any sound on your Windows device , you will need to disable audio enhancements.

External Sound Boosters in Windows 10/11

It can be annoying when the sound is too quiet but your volume has gone above its maximum. This can be caused by many things, from automated voice call features to individual app volume sliders that are too low. However, sometimes things are just too quiet overall, at which point you can use volume boosters either in Windows 11/10 or the software itself to gain a few extra decibels. We've covered two such examples below.

6. Use FxSound Enhancer

Want professional-quality sound effects on your Windows device, such as bass and surround sound? FXSound One of the best sound enhancers for ultra-sharp audio clarity.

1. Click “Get FxSound” In the link to install the program.

2. Play an audio sample. Make minor adjustments to the range in the audio enhancer to match your desired levels.

In the professional version of FxSound Enhancer, you can set “Presets” Various, including preparation "Increase the volume." The sound effects with this app are louder than any sound possible on a computer or laptop.

7. Use your smartphone's audio with WO Mic

Modern smartphones offer high-resolution audio with special effects and bass boost. With the right booster app, you can take advantage of these speakers on Windows 11/10 to boost the volume.

1. Download the WO Mic Installer App For Windows and install it on your device.
2. During installation, you need to: Set WO Mic Driver Suitable as default program based on your computer configuration (x64, ARM64, etc.).

3. Download WO Mic App system Android Or iPhone.
4. You need to set up a transfer mechanism in the app to communicate with your laptop. This can be Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, or USB.

5. Return to the desktop client. WO Mic Set it up with the same transfer mechanism as your phone.
For example, if your phone is configured with Wi-Fi, use Wi-Fi to connect it to the desktop client. Also, make sure the IP address is the same on both your phone and your laptop/PC.

When you establish a Wi-Fi pairing—meaning both your phone and Windows PC have the same IP address—the smartphone's advanced speakers will extend to work with the PC. A Zoom audio call is a typical application that might benefit from this pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does Windows 11/10 come with an equalizer?
answer. Currently, Windows 11/10 doesn't have its own built-in equalizer. Therefore, you'll need to use a third-party equalizer software like Equalizer APO or FxSound Enhancer.

Q2. How can I increase system volume in Windows 11/10?
answer. To increase the system (or device) volume in Windows 11, you need to use the Enhancements option in the Sounds Control Panel. Windows 10 has additional options for Loudness Equalization.

Q3. Can I control the volume on Windows using my keyboard?
answer. Your computer keyboard is an easily accessible device for managing Windows 11/10 audio. Use the Fn+F8 keys to increase the volume and Fn+F7 to decrease it. To mute/unmute the keyboard, use Fn+F6. As you press the keys, you'll see the volume change on your screen.

For more Windows tips, check out: How to Check if a USB Drive is Bootable in Windows 10We can also help you with: Using Windows 10 Action Center.