Whether you’re watching a feature film or a television show, you’ve probably noticed big fluctuations in volume levels, especially when a commercial break pops up and nearly shatters your eardrums. Fortunately, you can reduce the volume with the help of volume normalization.
On a Windows 11 PC, this feature is called Volume Equalization. Whether this function is available on your PC or not depends on the sound driver used or the built-in hardware. However, most sound drivers offer normalization.
To activate the Volume Equalization feature, click on the Windows icon and then navigate to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced Sound Settings. In this window, select your playback device, click on Properties – Extensions, and then tick the box next to Volume Equalization.
Finalize the change with the OK button. Windows will now increase the volume during quieter parts of the film or television show and reduce the volume during commercial breaks. That said, volume equalization is only suitable for music playback on the PC to a limited extent. This is because dynamic pieces of music can lose their character.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
Author: Arne Arnold, Contributor, PCWorld
Arne Arnold has been working in the IT industry for over 30 years, most of that time with a focus on IT security. He tests antivirus software, gives tips on how to make Windows more secure, and is always looking for the best security tools for Windows. He is currently trying out new AI tools and questioning what they mean for our future.