---
title: "How to Disable a Display or Monitor as an Audio Device on Windows"
description: "Sometimes Windows can treat your monitor or display as a speaker—even if it doesn’t actually have one. This can cause audio issues in Symbo, especially when calls are routed to a display instead of your headset. To prevent this, we recommend disabling unused output devices so they don’t get selected as the default."
url: https://help.symbo.ai/en/articles/10404505-how-to-disable-a-display-or-monitor-as-an-audio-device-on-windows
collection: "Dialer"
updated: 2026-09-13
language: en
---

# How to Disable a Display or Monitor as an Audio Device on Windows

Sometimes Windows can treat your monitor or display as a speaker—even if it doesn’t actually have one. This can cause audio issues in Symbo, especially when calls are routed to a display instead of your headset. To prevent this, we recommend disabling unused output devices so they don’t get selected as the default.

## 🛠 Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1\. Open Sound Settings

-   Right-click the 🔊 volume icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen)
    
-   Select **_Open Sound settings_**
    
      
    **Alternatively:** Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound
    

### 2\. Go to Manage Sound Devices

-   In the **_Sound settings_** window, scroll down to the **_Output_** section
    
-   Click on **_Manage sound devices_**
    

### 3\. Disable the Display Audio Device

-   Under the Output devices list, find your monitor/display (this might be labeled as something like “DELL U2417H (DisplayPort)” or your monitor’s brand/model)
    
-   Click on the device, then click the **_Disable_** button  
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/AYspHzH3xqFi5HYyD5WQ7ApqKarfdVEmmUzUeBbq308rxTsZIL76PhQQR3yjvNcnPEIK7LC5fYW.png)
    

### 4\. Confirm Your Headset is the Default

-   Back in the main **_Sound settings_** screen, under **_Output_**, use the dropdown to select your preferred headset or speakers
    
-   This ensures that Windows consistently uses the correct device—even after restarts or display changes  
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/UCVQsJC8EZ8HBy0DOSASpHC0svGeRbh3xIb0Dea6qeSzhig1KlF1CTnsAg4aAVdT4ylh4iKuBTr.png)
    

## ✅ Why This Helps

Disabling unused audio devices like displays or HDMI monitors prevents Windows from accidentally switching audio output during calls, which can make it seem like your call dropped or went silent.

For best results in Symbo:

-   Always select a specific audio device (not “Default”) in your Symbo audio settings
    
-   Keep only the devices you want to use in Symbo enabled in Windows System Settings
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/YHiBhJtxmwytUvWt0tJq6YnYz7BS1recUWr0b8Va9jdOxohTaXdLvekErmsJMDwDOOgmdxRneCw.png)