By default, Windows 11 enables a few settings that can drastically change how your audio input and output sound. Your system’s audio drivers, default devices, sample rates, or Bluetooth codec settings can all cause your headphones, speakers, or microphone to sound worse than expected. If you’re not an audiophile, you may not know that Windows 11 is applying “audio enhancements” to your system sound automatically, and it might be doing more harm than good.
For some reason, Microsoft enables audio enhancements in Windows 11 by default, and this can cause compatibility issues and general instability with certain audio accessories and software programs. However, audio enhancements are also critical for certain features, so not everyone should rush to disable them. Here’s how Windows 11 is adjusting your computer’s sound, and whether you should put a stop to it.
Windows 11’s enhancements optimize device audio
Letting your audio drivers handle the sound signature
Audio enhancements in Windows 11 ensure your connected devices — including headphones, speakers, and microphones — can utilize the configurations set by your computer’s audio driver. Typically, you will see two options under the Audio enhancements setting: Off and Device Default Effects.
When audio enhancements are disabled, your system’s sound does not undergo any additional processing, facilitating better compatibility with hardware such as external digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and digital audio workstation (DAW) programs like Pro Tools. Separately, the related Spatial sound setting controls immersive audio experiences, including Dolby Atmos. Some audio purists may want to disable both audio enhancements and spatial sound in Windows 11 for unaltered sound.
You can find Audio enhancements and Spatial sound by opening the Settings app in Windows 11 and navigating to System -> Sound -> Properties. Alternatively, you can open the Sound control panel and check the Disable all enhancements option.
However, audio enhancements in Windows 11 serve a critical purpose. They apply the settings and configurations you set up via your audio driver. For example, if your system uses the Realtek Control Center, you can set an equalizer (EQ), reverb effect, or environment in the app. These changes will only take effect if audio enhancements in Windows 11 are enabled; otherwise, your system ignores all EQ and effects configured with the device audio driver.
Some third-party audio tools, like the Peace Equalizer, also require audio enhancements in Windows 11.
They also strain your system and introduce glitches
Extra CPU load, audio static, and worse sound quality are all side effects
With audio enhancements in Windows 11 providing tangible benefits and critical functionality for certain apps, you might be wondering why it’s worth disabling. The extra enhancements can cause issues among multiple audio drivers, leading to poor quality, distracting sound artifacts, or outright compatibility problems. During calls, the audio enhancements can mistakenly suppress voice inputs in an attempt to reduce background noise. Some users have also reported hearing crackles, hissing, and distortion with audio enhancements enabled, according to Microsoft forum posts.
For audio professionals, dedicated audio interfaces and external hardware may require a clean signal with zero additional enhancements or processing. A clean signal ensures that Windows 11 enhancements aren’t ruining the audio before it hits professional-grade hardware or software. It also guarantees unnecessary audio processing isn’t adding latency to a sonic workflow, which is essential for live recordings.
Additionally, audio enhancements in Windows 11 account for minimal CPU usage. If you aren’t using features like an EQ or system audio effects, it’s best to turn off the additional enhancements and save that processing power for other activities.
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When to turn off Windows 11’s audio enhancements
Most people should probably turn it off, but there are edge cases to consider
If you’ve never opened your audio driver application or set up a system equalizer, chances are, you won’t miss audio enhancements in Windows 11. In fact, switching off the Device Default Effects setting might protect your system’s sound from over-processing and general compatibility issues. When experiencing audio glitches such as crackles, hissing, echoing, or static, disabling Windows 11 audio enhancements should be an immediate troubleshooting step.
For power users and audio engineers, shutting down audio enhancements makes sense for the opposite reasons. Audiophiles and pros often use more powerful hardware and software than your computer and its audio drivers can provide. As such, disabling the system-wide audio enhancements will ensure a clear audio signal is coming in and going out. It’ll also save a small but nonzero amount of processing power that can be better used for DAW software like Pro Tools or Ableton Live.
Generally, it’s worth remembering that Windows 11 enables multiple audio settings by default, including audio enhancements, spatial sound, and sample rates higher than CD quality. When in doubt, try disabling these adjustments to confirm that you’re not missing out on better sound quality from your Windows PC.
