Make Discord Stop Lowering Volume: Attenuation + Other Tips

PDF download Download Article
Turn attenuation down to prevent Discord from lowering the sounds of other apps on your PC
PDF download Download Article

Have you noticed that your other Windows apps get quiet when you're using Discord? If your attenuation is set too high in Discord, it can reduce the volume of your other apps while you or somebody else is speaking. Fortunately, it's easy to disable attenuation by decreasing its value to 0%. If you can't turn off attenuation, there are a few other settings you can modify in Windows that will help fix the problem. This wikiHow article shows you ways to stop Discord from lowering other app volumes on your Windows desktop or laptop computer.

Things You Should Know

  • Lower attenuation in Discord on your Windows 10 or 11 computer to prevent it from decreasing volume in other apps while someone is speaking.
  • If decreasing attenuation to 0% doesn't fix the problem, you can disable exclusive control on your sound playback device (like your headphones).
  • If the volume is still too low when using Discord, disable Windows Communication Activation in "Sound Control Panel > Communication."
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Lower the Attenuation Setting

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the app icon that looks like a controller on a light blue background.
    • Discord's attenuation feature decreases the volume when you or somebody else is talking .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the bottom of the window to the right of your profile picture.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the panel on the left side of the window.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Drag the slider all the way to the left to disable attenuation, which will prevent Discord from lowering the volume in apps. [1]
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Turning off Exclusive Control

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press Win + I or click the Start logo to open the Start menu and click the gear icon.
    • If lowering attenuation to 0% did not resolve the issue, you can use this fix to prevent Discord and other apps from taking control of your audio devices. This should resolve your volume issues in Windows apps.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're using Windows 10, click the System icon. On Windows 11, click System in the left panel.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On Windows 10, you'll see this in the panel on the left side of the window next to an icon of a speaker. On Windows 11, you'll see it in the right panel.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll either find this in the "Related Settings" section (Windows 10) or above the "Related support" section (Windows 11).
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For example, if the problem occurs while your headphones are connected, make sure they are plugged in, right-click them in the list, and choose Properties .
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see this at the top of the window.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have multiple sound outputs, like speakers and a few different sets of headphones, repeat this process for every device.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your changes will be saved and the window will close.
    9. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Disable Windows Communication Activity

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press Win + I or click the Start logo to open the Start menu and click the gear icon.
    • Use this method if you have attenuation on Discord set to 0%, turned off "Exclusive Control" on your devices, but are still experiencing sound issues .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're using Windows 10, click the System icon. On Windows 11, click System in the left panel.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On Windows 10, you'll see this in the panel on the left side of the window next to an icon of a speaker. On Windows 11, you'll see it in the right panel.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll either find this in the "Related Settings" section (Windows 10) or above the "Related support" section (Windows 11).
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the top of the window with Playback and Recording .
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Stop-Discord-from-Lowering-App-Volume-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now, Windows will no longer turn down the sounds of other applications when it detects that you have a communications application running (like Skype , Zoom , or Discord ).
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      2 Simple Ways to Format Text Into Code on Discord
      2 Easy Ways to Hide What Game You're Playing on Discord
      Discord Update Failed? Here's How to Fix It for Good
      5 Easy Ways to Stop Discord from Opening on Startup
      2 Ways to Strikethrough Text on Discord: Mobile App & Desktop
      Discord User Search: 4 Ways to Find Discord Users
      How to
      Stream Hulu on Discord using Windows and Mac
      Discord: How to Turn Off the Overlay on Desktop and Android
      2 Methods to Spoiler Tag an Image on the Discord App on iOS and Android
      How to
      Get Music Bot on Discord
      What to Do When Discord Isn't Picking Up Your Voice: 20 Fixes
      5 Simple Ways to Bypass Discord's File Size Sending Limit
      2 Simple Ways to Send a Friend Invite on Discord
      Creating & Using Reaction Roles on Discord: 2 Simple Ways
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/206342888-How-do-I-stop-Discord-from-lowering-my-volume-when-someone-else-is-talking

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 46,790 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement