Elliot Kim
Many games have a Play sound while in the background setting that automatically mutes the game when you tab out. However, some games don't go fully silent with all sound settings turned off, and ad-supported apps often don't silence ads. To mute a game on Windows, you can use a script that automatically mutes audio for an application when it loses focus and unmutes it when it regains focus. Alternatively, you can use the Background-Muter app or adjust the Sound Enhancements setting. On Android phones, muting the device may not mute games, but you can adjust the volume in-game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Media controls muting game sound on Windows | Some games have a built-in "mute on focus lost" option, but a script can be used to automatically mute audio for an application when it loses focus and unmute it when it regains focus. |
| Media controls muting game sound on Android | On Android phones, putting the device on silent may not mute media sounds. Users can adjust volume levels in the settings to ensure that media sounds are muted when the phone is on silent. |
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What You'll Learn
Muting game audio on Windows
Using the Volume Mixer
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and create a new shortcut.
- Select "Volume Mixer" from the menu that appears.
- Pin the Volume Mixer to your taskbar for easy access.
- When you want to mute a game, click on the volume icon below the game app in the Volume Mixer and adjust the volume accordingly.
Using the Windows Key Combination
- Press the Windows key + G simultaneously to open the Game Bar.
- Locate the volume icon in the Audio overlay and click on it to mute or unmute the game audio.
Using the Sound Settings
- Go to your sound settings by clicking on the sound icon in the taskbar.
- Scroll down and click on "App volume and device preferences" under "Advanced sound options."
- From there, you can change the volume of a specific game or software by adjusting the volume slider.
Using Borderless Gaming (for Steam Games)
- Download and install Borderless Gaming from https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases.
- Launch Borderless Gaming and add your game to its interface.
- Enable the "Mute In Background" option, which will automatically mute the game audio when it loses focus and unmute it when it regains focus.
Using the Windows Mobility Center
- Open the Windows Mobility Center.
- Check or uncheck the Mute box in the Volume section to mute or unmute the game audio.
It is important to note that some games may have their own built-in "mute on focus lost" option, so it is worth checking the game's settings first. Additionally, playing in Fullscreen mode may also prevent audio from playing in the background.
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Muting game audio on Android
Muting the audio of a game on an Android device can be done in several ways. One common issue is that putting the phone on silent only mutes the ringtone and notification volumes, not media and alarms. To resolve this, go into your sound settings and see if you can link the media and ringtone volumes.
Another option is to use the volume rocker bar during gameplay to lower the sound and mute it. This can be done by pressing the side key, choosing 'Sound', and then using the volume rocker to adjust the level. The volume settings will be saved for the next time you choose to mute.
Some games have their own in-game settings that allow you to turn off music or sound effects. This can be useful if you want to listen to your own music while playing.
There are also third-party apps that allow you to control the volume of individual apps. For example, 'Sound Assistant' allows you to mute foreground apps while listening to background music. However, some of these apps may require root access or ADB permissions to function properly.
Additionally, if you are playing a game in windowed mode on your Android device, you may be able to find a "mute in background" or "mute on minimize" option in the game's settings. This will automatically mute the game audio when you switch to another window or minimize the game.
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Using scripts to mute game audio
Many games have a "Play sound while in background" setting that automatically mutes the game when you tab out. If your game does not have this setting, you can try playing in full-screen mode, as audio often continues to play in "borderless" windowed mode. You can also try lowering the volume in the game's sound options or using the volume mixer to adjust the volume of specific applications.
If you are using Windows, there are several scripts available that can automatically mute game audio when the game window is not in focus. One such script is called "Background-Muter", which can be found on GitHub. This script uses WinAPI to detect foreground windows and mute any applications that are not in the foreground. You can also define exceptions for applications that you never want to be muted, such as a music player. Another option is to use a Python script that mutes a specific app when it is in the background and unmutes it when it is in the foreground. This script requires the pycaw library, which provides functions for working with audio devices and sessions on Windows.
Additionally, there are tools like Borderless Gaming, which is a utility available on Steam that can help with muting game audio in the background.
For a more general solution that is not specific to games, you can create a script using AutoHotkey to mute and unmute your computer with a single shortcut key. This script can be customized to suit your specific needs and preferences.
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Using apps to mute game audio
There are several ways to mute game audio using apps, depending on the device you are using.
Windows
On Windows, you can use the Volume Mixer to adjust the volume of specific applications. To do this, click on the sound icon in the taskbar, then click Mixer, and you will see all the programs that are playing sound. From there, you can manually adjust the volume of a specific game or software.
You can also use a Python script that automatically mutes a specific app when it is in the background and unmutes it when it is in the foreground. This script can be activated by pressing Win+F1 to mute/unmute the active app, and Win+F2 to enable "mute on focus lost" mode for the app.
Another option for Windows users is to use a utility called Borderless Gaming, which is available on Steam and likely elsewhere. This utility allows you to mute background applications without stopping them, which is useful for online games where you don't want to lose connection.
IOS
For iOS devices such as the iPhone, you can usually control sound options from within the game app settings. Open the settings from the Game app and turn off the game's sound there without affecting the overall sound on your device.
Android
For Android devices, one option is to use an app called Volume Control, which allows you to control the volume of broad criteria like "media settings". However, this may mute your music player as well as the game. Another option is to use an app called Tasker, which may allow for more specific control over the game audio without affecting other media settings.
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Muting game audio with keyboard shortcuts
Muting a game's audio with keyboard shortcuts can be done in several ways, depending on the game and the operating system. Here are some methods to achieve this:
Using In-Game Settings
Some games have built-in audio settings that allow you to mute the game when it is not in focus. For example, in the game options or settings menu, look for a "Play sound while in background" or "mute on focus lost" option. Enabling this setting will automatically mute the game audio when you switch to another window or application.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you're using a laptop or a keyboard with a built-in mute button, you can try using the Function (Fn) key plus F6 to toggle the mute. This combination may vary depending on your keyboard layout, but it's worth trying to see if it works for your specific setup.
Using Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you're using a Windows operating system, there are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to quickly adjust the volume of specific applications, including games:
- Win + F1: Mute/unmute the active app.
- Win + F2: Enable "mute on focus lost" mode for the active app. This will automatically mute the game when it's not in focus.
Using Third-Party Software
If the above methods don't work for your specific game or setup, you can try using third-party software to achieve audio muting:
- Equalizer APO: This software allows you to use a technique called "audio ducking" or "compression" to automatically lower the volume of the game when no other sound is playing.
- Background-Muter: This is a Windows solution where you can go to Sound Settings > Advanced Sound Options > App Volume and Device Preferences, and then adjust the volume of specific games or software.
- Borderless Gaming: This is a utility available on Steam that might help with muting game audio in the background.
It's important to note that some games may not have the capability to mute audio independently from other applications, and you may need to explore workarounds or use third-party tools to achieve the desired muting functionality.
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