How to enable Stereo Mix in Windows 11 (and fix it when it’s missing)

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10 (the control panel method works on both).

What Stereo Mix is

Stereo Mix (sometimes called What U Hear or Wave Out Mix) is a virtual recording device that captures whatever your PC is playing through its sound card. Apps see it as an input, like a microphone, so you can use it to record a stream, a game or a call in apps that can’t capture system audio by themselves.

It isn’t part of Windows itself. It comes with the audio driver, most often Realtek’s, and it’s switched off by default. Many newer laptops ship with drivers that don’t include it at all.

Method 1: Enable it in Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System > Sound.
3. Scroll down to Advanced and select All sound devices.
4. Under Input devices, select Stereo Mix.
5. Next to Audio, select Allow.

If Stereo Mix doesn’t appear under Input devices, use Method 2, which also shows hidden devices.

Method 2: Enable it in the Sound control panel

1. Press Windows + R, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter. (Or go to Settings > System > Sound and select More sound settings.)
2. Open the Recording tab.
3. Right-click an empty area of the device list and tick Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
4. Right-click Stereo Mix and select Enable.
5. Select OK.

On Windows 10 the steps are the same; More sound settings is called Sound Control Panel there.

Record with Stereo Mix

Once it’s enabled, pick Stereo Mix as the input (microphone) in the app you record with, such as Audacity, OBS Studio or a voice recorder app. If an app has no input picker, you can make Stereo Mix the default: on the Recording tab, right-click it and select Set as Default Device. Remember to switch your real microphone back to default afterwards, or calls and voice chat will send your PC’s audio instead of your voice.

To change how loud the recording is, right-click Stereo Mix, select Properties and use the slider on the Levels tab. If you also want to record video, see our guide to recording your screen.

Stereo Mix is missing

If Stereo Mix doesn’t show up even with Show Disabled Devices ticked, the driver you’re using doesn’t offer it. Common reasons:

• Windows replaced the driver. Windows Update sometimes installs Microsoft’s generic High Definition Audio Device driver, which has no Stereo Mix. Open Device Manager (right-click Start), expand Sound, video and game controllers and check the name. If it isn’t Realtek (or your sound chip’s maker), install the audio driver from your PC or motherboard maker’s support page. Our guide on stopping Windows from replacing drivers shows how to keep it from being swapped again.
• Your driver version leaves it out. Some laptop makers ship Realtek drivers without Stereo Mix. A different version from the maker’s support page may include it, but there’s no guarantee, and Realtek’s generic drivers from other sites can break features such as the laptop’s microphone or audio enhancements.
• Your PC uses USB or another sound chip. USB headsets, docks and many audio interfaces have no Stereo Mix. Use one of the alternatives below.

Stereo Mix records nothing

If Stereo Mix is enabled but the recording is silent or the green level bar doesn’t move:

• Play the sound through the same sound card. Stereo Mix only captures audio sent to the Realtek outputs (built-in speakers or the headphone jack). Audio playing through Bluetooth headphones, a USB headset or an HDMI monitor isn’t captured.
• Check that the source isn’t muted and Stereo Mix isn’t muted on its Levels tab.
• Check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Because Stereo Mix is an input device, turning off microphone access can stop apps from recording from it.
• Make sure the app is set to record from Stereo Mix, not your microphone.

Alternatives when your PC has no Stereo Mix

• Audacity WASAPI loopback: in Audacity, set the audio host to Windows WASAPI and choose your speakers or headphones with (loopback) as the recording device. This works with any output, including Bluetooth and USB.
• OBS Studio: its Desktop Audio source records system sound without Stereo Mix.
• Xbox Game Bar: press Windows + G to record a game or app window with its sound, saved as a video.
• A virtual audio cable: free tools such as VB-Audio Virtual Cable add a virtual device you can play into and record from. Only download them from the developer’s own site.

If you just need to record a Teams meeting, Teams can record meetings itself on many work and school accounts; see our Microsoft Teams tips. Always get permission before recording other people.

Related guides

• How to record video on your screen in Windows
• Stop Windows 11 from updating drivers automatically
• Microsoft Teams tips and tricks

Official sources: for more detail, see these pages:

• Microsoft Support: Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Audacity Manual: Recording computer playback on Windows

Frequently asked questions

Why is Stereo Mix not showing in Windows 11?

Either it’s disabled and hidden (tick Show Disabled Devices on the Recording tab), or your audio driver doesn’t include it. Generic Microsoft audio drivers and many laptop drivers don’t.

Can I download Stereo Mix?

Not on its own. It comes with your sound card’s driver. Installing the full audio driver from your PC maker may add it; otherwise use WASAPI loopback or a virtual audio cable.

Does Stereo Mix record my microphone too?

No, only what the PC plays. To record both, add your microphone as a second source in OBS, or turn on Listen to this device for the microphone, which plays it back through your speakers and can cause echo.

Is Stereo Mix available on Windows 10?

Yes, with the same driver requirement. Use Method 2: mmsys.cpl, Recording tab, Show Disabled Devices, then enable it.