Multiple Audio Outputs in Windows 11: How to Output Sound to 2 Devices at Once (2026)

Last Updated: August 6, 2026

Using Windows 11 multiple audio outputs to play sound through two devices at once has historically required workarounds—but that’s finally changing in 2026.

Microsoft’s long-awaited Shared Audio feature is now in the Release Preview Channel as of May 14, 2026, and will reach general availability for all Windows 11 users in June 2026 via Patch Tuesday.

Update Aug 2026: If you have received this update, please let me know how it works on your system. I will find a way to share some new screenshots of this feature in the future. I disabled Copilot on my PC, so I’m not sure how to see this feature on my desktop. Windows 11 users, who have successfully implemented the multiple audio outputs feature, please let me know how it works out.

In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through every method available right now—whether you’re on a Copilot+ PC that already supports the new native Shared Audio feature or on an older system where Stereo Mix and VoiceMeeter are still your best options.

By the end of this post, you’ll know:

• How to enable Windows 11 Shared Audio via Quick Settings (the new native method)
• How to set up Stereo Mix for two audio outputs (still the most reliable workaround)
• When to use VoiceMeeter Banana for more advanced multi-output setups
• Which Bluetooth accessories and PCs support the new Shared Audio feature in 2026

Fix Windows 11 audio not working

Whether you’re in the US, Europe, or India — if you want to output audio to two devices simultaneously on Windows 11, this guide covers all your options.

Can Windows 11 Play Audio Through Two Outputs at Once?

Yes — and in 2026, for the first time, there’s a native way to do it without any third-party software. Allow me to explain what’s available and which method suits your situation.

Can Windows 11 use multiple audio outputs? Yes, Windows 11 supports multiple audio outputs in three ways: Shared Audio broadcasts to two Bluetooth LE devices, Stereo Mix duplicates sound to a second wired output, and the Volume mixer assigns different apps to different devices. Each method suits a different hardware combination.

The Short Answer (2026 Update)

Windows 11 has historically only supported one audio output at a time natively. Users who wanted multiple simultaneous outputs had to rely on Stereo Mix (unreliable), VoiceMeeter (complex), or physical audio splitters.

That changed in mid-2025 when Microsoft began testing a shared audio feature in Insider preview builds. As of May 14, 2026, Shared Audio is now in the Release Preview Channel via KB5089573 and is expected to reach all Windows 11 users via the June 9, 2026, Patch Tuesday update.

The catch: Shared Audio currently requires a Copilot+ PC with Bluetooth LE Audio support. If your PC doesn’t meet those requirements, the workarounds below remain your best options.

Method 1: Windows 11 Shared Audio — The New Native Way (May 2026)

This is the method everyone has been waiting for. Microsoft’s Shared Audio feature lets you stream the same audio to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously from Quick Settings — no software, no workarounds.

Fix Windows 11 no sound Realtek

What Is Windows 11 Shared Audio?

Shared Audio is built on Bluetooth LE Audio technology (specifically the LC3 codec and Isochronous Channels standard). It works like the “Share Audio” feature on iPhone and Android that lets two pairs of AirPods or earbuds connect to one phone—but for Windows 11.

When active, your PC broadcasts one audio stream to two paired Bluetooth LE Audio devices at the same time. It also unlocks Super Wideband voice quality for microphone use when the full hardware chain supports the required profiles.

The feature was discovered hidden in Insider builds in July 2025 by @PhantomOfEarth, formally documented by Microsoft in October 2025, and has been in progressive rollout since then. On May 14, 2026, it entered the Release Preview Channel via KB5089573.

Hardware and Device Requirements

Before you try to enable Shared Audio, confirm your setup meets these requirements:

Your PC must:

• Be a Copilot+ PC (initially Snapdragon X-based Surface laptops and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge)
• Have a compatible OEM Bluetooth driver installed (delivered via Windows Update)
• Run Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 with KB5089573 or later

Your Bluetooth accessories must:

• Support Bluetooth LE Audio (Bluetooth 5.2 or later—but not all BT 5.2 devices support LE Audio)
• Have up-to-date firmware (install via manufacturer’s app before pairing)

Important: Requiring Bluetooth 5.2 doesn’t guarantee LE Audio support. Check your accessory’s spec sheet specifically for “Bluetooth LE Audio” or “LC3 codec” compatibility.

How to Enable Shared Audio via Quick Settings (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Update your PC to the latest Windows 11 build — ensure KB5089573 is installed via Settings > Windows Update.

Step 2: Update your Bluetooth accessories’ firmware using the manufacturer’s app (Samsung Galaxy Wearable app, Sony Headphones Connect, etc.).

Step 3: Pair and connect both Bluetooth LE Audio devices to your Windows 11 PC (Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add gadget).

Step 4: Click the Quick Settings flyout on the taskbar (click the Wi-Fi/volume/battery area, or press Win + A).

Step 5: Look for the “Shared audio (preview)” tile. If it’s present, click it.

Step 6: Select both paired devices from the list, then click Share.

Step 7: When finished, return to Quick Settings and click Stop sharing.

Compatible Bluetooth Accessories

The following accessories are confirmed compatible with Windows 11 Shared Audio as of May 2026:

• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Buds3
• Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
• Sony WH-1000XM6
• ReSound and Beltone LE Audio hearing aids (recent models)
• Other LE Audio-capable earbuds and headphones (verify in spec sheet)

Shared Audio Not Showing? How to Troubleshoot

If the “Shared audio (preview)” tile doesn’t appear in Quick Settings:

1. Check your build: Settings > System > About—confirm you have KB5089573 (build 26100.8514+) or later
2. Update Xbox/OEM drivers: Open Windows Update and install all optional driver updates
3. Re-pair your accessories: Remove both devices from Bluetooth settings and pair them fresh—this resolves the most common “device not showing under Shared audio” issue
4. Update firmware: Use the manufacturer’s app (not just Windows Update) to flash the latest firmware to your accessories
5. Your PC may not be supported yet: More non-Copilot+ PC models are expected to gain support after the June 2026 Patch Tuesday. Check back after June 9, 2026.

Method 2: Stereo Mix — Use Two Audio Outputs at the Same Time (Still Works)

Stereo Mix is Windows 11’s built-in workaround for routing audio to multiple outputs. It’s free and built-in but requires a few steps to configure and can occasionally cause audio feedback if set up incorrectly.

What Is Stereo Mix?

Stereo Mix is a recording device in Windows that captures your current audio output and allows it to be re-routed. By enabling Stereo Mix and setting it to listen through a second audio device, you can create a dual-output chain.

How to Enable Stereo Mix in Windows 11

Step 1: Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and click More sound settings (this opens the classic Sound control panel).

Step 3: Click the Recording tab.

Step 4: Right-click an empty area and enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.

Step 5: Right-click Stereo Mix and select Enable. If Stereo Mix doesn’t appear, your audio driver may not support it—update your Realtek or other audio drivers first.

Step 6: Right-click Stereo Mix and select Properties.

Step 7: Click the Listen tab, check Listen to this device, and select your second audio output from the “Playback through this device” dropdown.

Step 8: Click Apply, then OK.

Both your primary default audio device and the second device selected in Stereo Mix will now play audio simultaneously.

Stereo Mix Is Missing — Check Your OEM Audio Panel

Updating the driver is the usual advice, and it often works. If it does not, there is one more place to look before you give up.

Stereo Mix is supplied by the audio driver, not by Windows. Some OEMs expose it in their own control panel instead of the Windows Sound dialog. Open the Realtek Audio Console from the Start menu, or your manufacturer’s equivalent — Nahimic on MSI, Dolby Access on Lenovo, Waves MaxxAudio on Dell — and look for a stereo mix or loopback toggle there.

On several machines, the Realtek audio panel in Windows 11 is the only place where you can switch on two audio outputs at once. If the option is absent from both the Windows dialog and the OEM panel, your codec genuinely does not offer it. Use the Volume mixer or VoiceMeeter instead.

Limitations of Stereo Mix

• Can cause audio feedback loops if configured incorrectly
• Not all audio drivers support Stereo Mix (most Realtek do; some USB and HDMI audio devices do not)
• Volume cannot be independently controlled for each output
• Not ideal for Bluetooth audio—Stereo Mix works best with wired or USB outputs

Method 3: VoiceMeeter Banana — Best Third-Party Option for Multiple Audio Outputs

If Stereo Mix is unreliable on your system and you’re not on a Copilot+ PC yet, VoiceMeeter Banana (free from vb-audio.com) is the most capable third-party solution for Windows 11 multiple audio outputs.

What Is VoiceMeeter?

VoiceMeeter is a virtual audio mixer for Windows that creates virtual audio cables and allows you to route audio from any source to any combination of physical or virtual output devices. VoiceMeeter Banana (the mid-tier version) supports up to two physical hardware outputs simultaneously.

Quick Setup for Multiple Outputs

Step 1: Download and install VoiceMeeter Banana from vb-audio.com (free, donationware).

Step 2: Restart your PC when prompted.

Step 3: Open VoiceMeeter Banana. In the Hardware Out section on the right, set A1 to your primary output device (e.g., your speakers) and A2 to your second output device (e.g., your headphones or Bluetooth speaker).

Step 4: In Windows Sound Settings, set your default playback device to VoiceMeeter Input.

Step 5: VoiceMeeter will now route all Windows audio through both A1 and A2 simultaneously.

Step 6: Adjust individual volume sliders in VoiceMeeter for each output — something Stereo Mix cannot do.

In my experience, VoiceMeeter adds a small amount of audio latency (~10–20 ms). For music and movies, this is imperceptible. For competitive gaming or live monitoring, it may be noticeable.

VoiceMeeter vs Shared Audio vs Stereo Mix

	Shared Audio	Stereo Mix	VoiceMeeter Banana
Setup complexity	Easy	Medium	Medium–Hard
Independent volume control	❌	❌	✅
Works with Bluetooth	✅ (LE Audio only)	❌ Limited	✅
Works with wired/USB	❌ BT only	✅	✅
Per-app routing	❌	❌	✅
Cost	Free (native)	Free (native)	Free (donationware)
Audio latency added	Minimal	Minimal	10–20ms
Requires specific hardware	✅ Copilot+ PC	❌	❌

Method 4: Connect Multiple Bluetooth Speakers Windows 11 (Without Shared Audio)

If you need to connect multiple Bluetooth speakers but don’t have a Copilot+ PC with Shared Audio support, here are your options.

Using Audio Router

Audio Router (free, open-source) lets you route individual app audio to different output devices in Windows 11. While it doesn’t broadcast one stream to two outputs simultaneously like Shared Audio, it lets you send, say, your browser audio to speakers while your game audio goes to headphones.

Step 1: Download Audio Router from GitHub. Step 2: Open it alongside your apps. Step 3: Drag an app’s audio stream to your desired output device.

Note: Audio Router compatibility on Windows 11 25H2 is not fully confirmed; test it on your system before relying on it.

Per-App Audio Routing in Windows 11 Sound Settings

Windows 11 has had per-app audio routing natively since 21H2. This isn’t the same as simultaneous output but lets you send different apps to different audio devices:

Step 1: Open Settings > System > Sound. Step 2: Scroll to Advanced > Volume mixer. Step 3: For each open app, you can assign a specific audio output device.

This is useful when you want your game audio on headphones and your browser audio on speakers — but each app only outputs to one device at a time.

Duplicating vs Splitting — Know Which One You Want

These get confused constantly, and it is why people follow the right steps and still end up disappointed.

• Duplicating = the same sound in two places. Shared Audio, Stereo Mix or VoiceMeeter.
• Splitting = different sound in each place. Volume mixer, natively.

If you want to play music on computer speakers, then play game sounds on Bluetooth headphones, that is splitting and Windows does it out of the box. If you want both people hearing the same film, that is duplicating.

What the Volume mixer can do:

• Listen to music on one headset and play a game on another headset on your PC
• Have the speakers play music while onboard audio handles Windows notifications
• Set Windows 11 to play notifications on different speakers from your media
• Use 2 different audio output devices at the same time, one app each

One limit worth knowing. The Volume mixer works per application, not per browser tab. So if you are asking whether it is possible to split audio between a YouTube tab on the speakers and another tab responding to a pair of earbuds — not within one browser. Both tabs share the browser’s single output. Run the second one in a different browser and you can split them.

Method 5: Play Audio on Bluetooth and Laptop Speakers at the Same Time

This is the most-asked version of the question, so let me be direct.

Can you play from PC audio speakers and Bluetooth at the same time? Yes — but not with Stereo Mix. Bluetooth is exactly where Stereo Mix falls over, and it is why so many people follow the steps correctly and still hear nothing from the second device.

Pick your route by hardware:

• Both devices are Bluetooth LE, on a Copilot+ PC — Shared Audio. This is how to connect 2 Bluetooth speakers on Windows 11 natively, and the only way to run multiple Bluetooth audio outputs on Windows 11 without third party software.
• Bluetooth speaker plus laptop speakers — VoiceMeeter. A1 to your built-in speakers, A2 to the Bluetooth device. That gives you simultaneous sound from laptop speaker and Bluetooth speaker, which is what most people actually want.
• Different apps in different places — Volume mixer. Assign one app to the built-in speaker and use the Bluetooth speaker as second output for another.

On more than two devices: Windows caps Bluetooth simultaneous audio output at two, even with Shared Audio. Multi Bluetooth speaker output beyond two needs VoiceMeeter, and each extra device compounds the delay. Two is the practical ceiling.

Expect a small offset. Play the same track on your laptop speaker and a Bluetooth connected speaker at the same time and you will hear a soft echo. That is Bluetooth latency, not a setup mistake. See the troubleshooting section below.

Method 6: HDMI and Headphone Jack Audio Together

Office desks hit this constantly — a monitor or TV over HDMI, and a headset in the jack.

Different audio in each: the Volume mixer is the reliable answer. Send your media player to the HDMI display and your call app to the headphone jack.

Same audio in both: if you want to duplicate multiple audio sound to headphone and TV, or make Windows output audio to HDMI and headphone jack simultaneously, use VoiceMeeter with A1 on HDMI and A2 on the jack. Stereo Mix can sometimes do it, but it fails often enough that I would not build a daily workflow on it.

Bluetooth plus aux: same logic. To play audio with both Bluetooth and aux, or get sound through Bluetooth and aux at the same time in Windows 11, use VoiceMeeter — one bus per output. There is no native setting for this outside Shared Audio’s LE-only path.

TV setups: to play audio on a TV and speakers from Windows 11 at once, VoiceMeeter again. The same two-bus setup handles two televisions if you want Windows 11 to set audio to both TVs, provided each is recognised as a separate HDMI endpoint.

If a device never appears in any dropdown after plugging in the cable, Windows has not detected the endpoint at all. Reseat it, then check Settings > System > Sound > All sound devices for a disabled entry before assuming the method failed. Our HDMI settings guide covers detection problems in depth.

Method 7: Sound From Both Monitors, or a Different Device Per Screen

Dual-monitor users are asking two different questions here. Sort out which is yours first.

Can I have the sound come out of all my monitors instead of just one?

Yes, but not from Windows settings alone. Each monitor’s speakers is a separate endpoint and Windows will only make one default. To get sound to play out of both monitors over HDMI in Windows 11, use VoiceMeeter — A1 to the first monitor, A2 to the second. Adding your desk speakers means a third bus, which is VoiceMeeter Banana territory.

Can I have two different sound outputs on 2 screens?

Much easier, and this is the Volume mixer’s home turf. When having 2 screens and wanting to set specific audio to each one, assign each application to the device on the screen it lives on. Video player to monitor one’s speakers, everything else to monitor two.

That also solves the setup where you want one monitor to play into speakers and the other into headphones. Assign the apps, not the screens — Windows routes audio per application and never per display. Understanding that saves a lot of fruitless searching for an app for all monitors to play sound.

Laptop plus external monitor: to use your laptop speaker and monitor speaker together, VoiceMeeter. To push sound back to the laptop instead of the monitor, just set the laptop speakers as default under Settings > System > Sound.

Method 8: Can You Use Two USB Headsets at Once?

Short answer: not for the same audio stream. This catches out a lot of office users.

Windows 11 does not natively support outputting audio to two USB headsets at once. Each registers as its own endpoint with its own clock, and Windows will not duplicate a stream across both.

What actually works:

• Different audio in each — the Volume mixer, one app per headset. If you want to use multiple USB headphones on Windows 11 for separate tasks, this is reliable.
• Same audio, software route — VoiceMeeter can do it, but two USB audio drivers through one virtual mixer is where conflicts appear. Test before depending on it.
• Same audio, hardware route — a USB training adapter or headset splitter.

Why the hardware route wins in offices. A training adapter presents itself to Windows as a single audio device and splits the signal in hardware. Windows never knows there are two headsets. No latency, no configuration, no driver conflict. Call centres used exactly this for supervisor monitoring for years, and it is still the most dependable way to have audio come out of 2 headsets for live call handling.

Asking whether you can use line out and a USB headset on Windows 11 together? That pairing is easier — different subsystems, so Stereo Mix or the Volume mixer both work.

Audio interfaces are a separate case. To use 2 pairs of headphones through a Scarlett 2i2 on Windows 11, that is handled by the interface, not by Windows. Most 2-in/2-out units have a single headphone jack, so you need a splitter or a headphone amp.

Method 9: Why Use Multiple Audio Outputs? Common Use Cases

Understanding the use case helps pick the right method.

Gaming + Chat Audio

Send game audio to your headphones and Discord/chat audio to your speakers — or vice versa. Windows 11’s native Volume Mixer handles this on a per-app basis. For simultaneous game audio to both headphones and speakers, use VoiceMeeter.

Movie Watching with Two Headphones

The most common request driving the Shared Audio feature is. Two people want to watch the same movie on one laptop, each using their own headphones. Shared Audio via Bluetooth LE Audio is the ideal solution here once it reaches your PC.

DJ and Sound Engineering Setups

Professionals need to monitor output on headphones while sending the same (or different) signal to room speakers. VoiceMeeter Banana with A1/A2 routing is the standard free solution. Dedicated audio interfaces (Focusrite Scarlett, etc.) are the professional standard.

Accessibility — Hearing Aid + Speaker Combinations

Windows 11 24H2 improved hearing aid integration — users can now adjust hearing aid audio presets and ambient volume from Quick Settings. Shared Audio explicitly supports LE Audio-capable hearing aids from ReSound and Beltone alongside earbuds.

Calls, Meetings and Monitoring

Set your microphone in Zoom or Teams’ own audio settings, then use the Volume mixer to send that app’s output where you want it. If you need the call audible on speakers and in your headset at once, that is duplication — VoiceMeeter with two buses. Managing how your audio goes through Zoom and out on a speaker at the same time on one microphone is a routing problem, not a hardware one.

For interviews needing laptop sound going two ways — one feed to a phone, another to external headphones — set the app to your headset in the Volume mixer and take the second feed off the 3.5mm output. Keep it wired; Bluetooth latency will desync the recording.

Music While You Work

Nothing special is needed for a Windows 11 app to allow microphone and music at the same time — Windows already permits multiple apps to hold the mic. If your music cuts out when a call starts, that is the app’s exclusive-mode setting. Fix it under More sound settings > Playback > your device > Properties > Advanced, and untick Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

Why Older Guides Don’t Work Anymore

If you have followed another guide and got nowhere, it is probably not your PC. It is the guide.

The old right-click shortcut moved. In Windows 10, right-clicking the speaker icon gave you “Playback devices” and opened the classic Sound control panel in one step. Windows 11 removed it. Right-clicking now gives you “Sound settings”, and the classic panel sits one level deeper under Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings.

So if you cannot switch sound, audio and speaker sound at the same time in Windows 11 because the menu item in your guide does not exist, nothing is broken. The menu changed.

Spatial sound has nothing to do with it. Older posts claim that turning spatial sound off on each device makes all your endpoints play together. It does not. Spatial sound only affects how a single output is processed. Leave it wherever you like.

What is genuinely still true in 2026:

• Windows still routes all system audio to one default endpoint unless you intervene
• Stereo Mix still exists, but only if your audio driver provides it
• Bluetooth is still capped at two simultaneous devices, even with Shared Audio
• Nothing here needs a registry edit—if a guide asks you to edit the registry for this, close it

That is why people keep asking why they can’t have sound from apps simultaneously on Windows 11, or find themselves trying to use multi sound outputs on Windows 11 but it only lets them use one. The methods above work. The old shortcuts do not.

Which Method Works With Your Devices?

The table above compares the methods. This one starts from your hardware instead — find your setup on the left and read across.

Your setup	Shared Audio	Stereo Mix	Volume mixer	VoiceMeeter
Two Bluetooth LE headsets	✅ Best choice	❌ Not supported	❌	⚠️ Works, noticeable lag
Bluetooth speaker + built-in speakers	⚠️ LE devices only	❌ Unreliable	✅ Per-app only	✅ Best choice
Headphone jack + desk speakers	❌	✅ Best choice	✅ Per-app	✅ Works
HDMI monitor / TV + headphones	❌	⚠️ Often fails	✅ Best choice	✅ Works
Two USB headsets	❌	❌ Not supported	✅ Per-app only	⚠️ Driver conflicts
Two monitor speakers together	❌	⚠️ Sometimes	✅ Per-app	✅ Best choice
Three or more outputs	❌ Two max	❌ Two max	✅ Per-app	✅ Only real option

✅ works as intended · ⚠️ works on some hardware, have a backup · ❌ don’t waste your time

Can Windows 11 Handle Three or More Audio Outputs?

Yes, but only through a virtual mixer. Every native method caps at two.

• Shared Audio — two Bluetooth LE devices, hard limit
• Stereo Mix — default device plus one listener, hard limit
• Volume mixer — no device limit, but each app goes to one output only

So to get all five speakers working on Windows 11 as one output, or to get sound to come out of all three monitors, you need VoiceMeeter. Banana gives three hardware outputs; Potato gives five. Assign one device per bus, enable them all on the input strip, and you have three output sounds in Windows from a single stream.

Headphones specifically: if you want to connect 3 headphones to a laptop and get sound in all of them at the same time, a powered 3.5 mm splitter is cheaper and lower-latency than any software. Passive splitters work too, but each extra headphone drops the volume.

How many audio sources can Windows 11 handle? There is no documented cap on connected endpoints. The limit is on how many outputs one stream can reach at once—two natively. Past three simultaneous outputs, expect audible drift.

Fixing Echo and Delay Between Two Audio Devices

Both devices play, but it sounds slightly wrong. That soft doubling is latency—the outputs are milliseconds apart, and your ears catch it.

Work through these in order:

1. Match the sample rates. This usually resolves the issue. In More sound settings, open each output’s Properties > Advanced and set both to the same value—24 bit, 48000 Hz is a safe pairing. Mismatched rates force resampling, which takes time.

2. Make the second output the wired one where you have a choice. Wired stays far closer in sync than Bluetooth.

3. Update your audio driver. An outdated or generic driver causes drift and the missing stereo mix problem. Our guide on how to update all drivers at once covers the safe way.

4. Turn off enhancements on the duplicate output. Processing adds delay.

5. Know the floor. Bluetooth sits at roughly 100–200 ms depending on codec. If you have audio coming from both a speaker and a wired earphone in Win 11, and one of them is Bluetooth, you cannot completely remove the offset. Move both to wired, or both to LE Audio via Shared Audio, which is far tighter.

On channel counts: if a device only offers stereo when you expected more, that is the endpoint’s capability. Windows 11’s audio interface limit of two channels on a given output is set by the driver and hardware, not by a setting you can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Method Should You Use for Windows 11 Multiple Audio Outputs?

Here’s my verdict: if you have a compatible Copilot+ PC and two Bluetooth LE Audio devices, use Shared Audio — it’s the cleanest experience Microsoft has ever offered for this use case. For everyone else, VoiceMeeter Banana remains the most reliable free option, and Stereo Mix is the quickest workaround if you only need a basic two-output setup.

Play audio to multiple outputs Windows 11

The full native support for Windows 11 multiple audio outputs is coming to all users in June 2026—check Windows Update after June 9 if Shared Audio isn’t visible in your Quick Settings yet.

Drop a comment below with your setup and which method worked best for you—I read every one.