How to Stop Windows 11 from Automatically Lowering Volume During Voice Calls

If you have ever been listening to Spotify or watching a YouTube video when a Microsoft Teams or Zoom call suddenly rings, you have likely noticed that your music volume instantly drops by 80%. This is a built-in Windows feature called “Communications Activity,” designed to prioritize the audio of voice calls. While helpful in an office, it can be incredibly jarring and annoying if you prefer to manage your own audio levels. Here is how to disable this automatic volume ducking.

How to Disable Audio Ducking

This setting is hidden deep within the legacy Sound Control Panel, not the modern Windows 11 Settings app.

1. Press the Windows Key, type Change system sounds into the search bar, and press Enter.
2. A small, older-looking “Sound” window will appear.
3. Look at the row of tabs at the top of the window and click on the Communications tab.
4. You will see a prompt that says: “When Windows detects communications activity:”.
5. By default, “Reduce the volume of other sounds by 80%” is selected.
6. Click the radio button next to Do nothing.
7. Click Apply, then click OK to close the window.

Windows 11 will no longer hijack your system volume when a call comes in. Your music, games, and browser audio will remain at their original, uninterrupted volume levels at all times.