Hi everyone,
I’m experiencing a strange issue on Windows 11: audio behaves differently depending on the app.
With system apps (e.g. Windows Media Player), the volume is normal.
But with third-party apps (e.g. Chrome, Spotify, VLC), the audio is significantly lower, even when everything is set to maximum (app volume, system volume, volume mixer).
Here’s what I’ve already tried:
• Volume mixer: all apps set to 100%
• Disabled sound effects under “Speaker Properties”
• Updated audio drivers (Realtek + Windows Update)
• Tested with headphones and external speakers
It feels like some apps might be using a different audio path or are being downmixed or limited somehow.
Also, I noticed that the audio level meter (the green bars that show activity) never goes above 50%, even at full volume.
The only workaround that fixed the issue was installing an older version of Windows 11.
As soon as I update to the latest version, the problem comes back exactly the same.
Has anyone experienced this or knows how to fix it permanently?
Thanks a lot in advance for any help!
