Computer volume drops when USB deviced plugged in

Question

This is really an odd issue. When I close the laptop (I use it on a docking station; it doesn't leave the docking station when this issue occurs) or when I open iTunes, the volume output on the machine drops.

Not the Windows volume bar itself. That stays the same. But the volume output by a program (like Winamp, but its happened with games too, so it's not app specific) drops. Not the volume control on those apps, but the output volume drops.

A quick restart of the quiet app fixes the issue. But it happens every time I close the laptop or open iTunes.

This is very odd, and I'm stumped. Any ideas?

What all cases does this happen in? when you insert USB devices, close the lid, or open iTunes? — jcrawfordor, Apr 10 '11 at 21:04

score 104 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 13 '11 at 03:28

104

Under "Sound" in Control Panel, try the Communications tab. If it's set to change the volume, Do nothing may fix your problem.

answered Apr 13 '11 at 03:28

Alec

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Interesting, didn't know that setting existed. Thanks. It stopped happening on it's own, so I can't confirm this. – Justin Apr 16 '11 at 20:36
I had the same problem, and this solution worked perfectly. Thanks! +1 – pehrs Apr 21 '11 at 09:20
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This was exactly it. What a horrible default setting! – danieltalsky Aug 30 '11 at 18:56
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thanks, first result in google, quick and easy solution. thank you. – cpbills Sep 30 '12 at 21:13
Thanks for posting this solution, I have been annoyed by this forever, never knew there was a solution. – KoKo Dec 01 '12 at 04:37
Just had the same issue. Superuser rocks. – Keltari Dec 16 '12 at 07:39
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But what if I like this feature and don't want to completely disable it, just don't want the volume to change on USB connect/disconnect, but still drop on Skype calls, is that possible? – Konstantin Pereiaslov Nov 20 '13 at 15:45
Yayyyy Superuser! Yayyyy Alec! Seriously Microsoft, dumb dumb dumb default settings. – Lester Peabody Jul 04 '14 at 17:57

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 26 '12 at 11:13

The feature that @Alec suggested to disable might be very useful in some situations. When somebody calls you on Skype, for example. Another way to fix the problem without app restart:

Right click on Volume button (located somewhere in the right bottom corner of your screen).
Click -> Open Volume Mixer.
Manually increase the volume for problematic application.

Computer volume drops when USB deviced plugged in

2 Answers2

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