Problem with low volume in some games (Win11)

[mr.WHO]

Some time ago I noticed that in some games (not many, but a handful few, X4 for example works flawlessly), ingame volume is very low even, if I crank all audio setting to 100% (in game settings).

Games examples:
Deus Ex Human Revolution
Deus Ex Mankind Divided
System Shock Remake

The only way for those to have proper sound, I have to crank up general windows sounds setting to 100% (normally I have it at 60%), but then everything else is too loud (and jumpscare me every time I forget to crank down the volume back ).

First, I though it might be my headset, but as I mention, most other games and normal windows sound / Youtube sounds fine, so it's not it.


Has anyone got such problem? Is there perhabs thirdparty audio application than might affect game sounds? I don't know something like Nvidia App?

[Alan Phipps]

Some games and/or game profilers might change speaker layout to something that doesn't suit your actual hardware (eg full surround-sound when you only have stereo speakers, or implementing 'fill speakers' that balances across speakers when you don't want that, etc). If something is sending game sounds and effects to the wrong or unimplemented channels then you may lack volume or even miss sounds entirely.

[burger1]

Could be audio drivers even if they are the correct ones. Realtek is bad for it. Can force windows default drivers through device manager.

Force windows default audio drivers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdB-e2D3hj0

Turn on volume equalization in windows.

Windows has individual app volume settings. In win 11 run the app/game and click on the speaker icon in the bottom right hand corner and Sound settings - volume mixer. Can set different volume levels. 100% is the default. So not that useful.

[mr.WHO]

Turn on volume equalization in windows.

Eureka - that was it - turned it on for my headset and now music is as loud as the rest of audio.

Now my ears need to adjust, coz I hear music over normal sound, but at worst I can just turn down music volume in game below 100% (while I couldn't crank it over 100% when it was too quiet).