Three ways to turn up Spotify volume on Windows or Mac
Spotify on your PC has three separate volume controls, and you may need to adjust more than one to get the sound you want. The first is the Spotify app volume slider, which sits inside the player itself. The second is your system volume, controlled through Windows or Mac settings. The third is your audio device settings — the volume on your speakers, headphones, or monitor. If Spotify is quiet even when you turn up the app slider, check your system volume and device volume before assuming the app is broken.
Start with the Spotify slider because it is the fastest fix. Look at the bottom left of the Spotify window while music is playing. You will see a speaker icon with a horizontal slider next to it. Click and drag that slider to the right to increase volume. This slider controls only Spotify, so other apps stay at their current level.
If the Spotify slider is already at maximum and the sound is still too quiet, your system volume is likely the bottleneck. On Windows, click the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar (the system tray). A volume slider will appear — drag it to the right. On Mac, click the speaker icon in the top right corner of your menu bar and adjust the slider there. Both of these control all sound on your computer, not just Spotify.
Key Takeaways
- The Spotify app has its own volume slider at the bottom left of the player window, separate from your system volume.
- Windows system volume is controlled from the speaker icon in the bottom right taskbar; Mac system volume is in the top right menu bar.
- Your physical speakers, headphones, or monitor may have their own volume knob or buttons that override software settings.
- If Spotify is still quiet after maxing out both the app and system volume, check whether your audio device itself is turned down.
Checking your audio device volume
Many speakers, headphones, and monitors have a physical volume control that works independently of your PC settings. Even if your Spotify slider and system volume are both at 100 percent, a speaker with its own knob turned down will sound quiet. Look for a dial, buttons, or a touch panel on your device itself.
Wireless headphones often have volume buttons on the ear cup or a touch area. Powered speakers usually have a knob on the back or side. Monitor speakers (if your monitor has built-in audio) may have buttons on the bottom or back bezel. Turn these up as well. If you are using a USB audio interface or mixer, it may have its own master volume control that needs adjustment.
Adjusting Spotify's volume normalization setting
Spotify has a feature called volume normalization that automatically lowers the volume of some songs to match others. This can make your music sound quieter overall, especially if you listen to a mix of old and new recordings. Turning this off may make Spotify sound louder.
Open Spotify and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings. Scroll down to the Playback section. Look for the toggle labeled Normalize audio and turn it off. Close and reopen Spotify for the change to take effect. Songs will now play at their original recorded volume, which may be noticeably louder or quieter depending on the track.
Using Windows volume mixer for Spotify only
Windows lets you control the volume of individual apps without changing your system volume. This is useful if you want Spotify louder than other programs. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select Open Volume mixer (on Windows 11) or Open Volume and device preferences (on Windows 10).
Scroll down to the App volume and device preferences section. Find Spotify in the list. You will see a volume slider next to it — drag this to the right to make Spotify louder relative to other apps. This does not change your system volume, so notifications, videos, and other sounds stay at their current level. Close the mixer when you are done.
Checking for audio driver issues
If your Spotify volume is low even after maxing out all three controls, your audio driver may be outdated or misconfigured. Your audio driver is the software that lets Windows or Mac communicate with your speakers or headphones.
On Windows, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section. Right-click your audio device (usually called Realtek Audio, Conexant, or your headphone brand name) and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for and install the latest version. Restart your PC when done.
On Mac, audio drivers update automatically through System Updates, so you do not need to do this manually. Instead, go to System Settings > Sound and check that your output device is set correctly. If you are using external speakers or headphones, make sure they are selected in the Output device dropdown.
Troubleshooting when Spotify is still quiet
If you have adjusted the Spotify slider, system volume, device volume, and turned off normalization but Spotify is still too quiet, the problem may be with your audio cable, connection, or the speakers themselves.
First, test another app. Open YouTube or a video in your web browser and play something with sound. If that is also quiet, the problem is not Spotify — it is your system or device. If YouTube is loud but Spotify is quiet, the issue is specific to Spotify and may require reinstalling the app. Uninstall Spotify from your Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac), restart your PC, and read Spotify again from the official website.
If your headphones or speakers are connected by cable, try a different USB port or audio jack. Loose connections can reduce volume. If you are using Bluetooth, forget the device in your settings and pair it again. Bluetooth interference or a weak connection can also cause quiet audio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Spotify quieter than other apps on my PC?
Spotify may have volume normalization turned on, which lowers loud songs to match quieter ones. You can turn this off in Settings > Playback > Normalize audio. Alternatively, use Windows Volume mixer to boost Spotify's app-level volume without changing system volume.
Can I make Spotify louder than my system volume allows?
No. The maximum volume is limited by your system volume and your audio device. If your system volume is at 100 percent and your speakers are at maximum, Spotify cannot go louder. You can only redistribute volume between apps using the Volume mixer.
Does turning up Spotify damage my speakers?
Powered speakers have built-in protection and will not be damaged by high volume settings in software. However, very loud audio for extended periods can wear out speaker components over time, just as it can with any audio equipment.
What if my Spotify volume slider is greyed out?
A greyed-out slider usually means Spotify is not playing anything. Start playing a song first, then the slider will become active. If it stays greyed out during playback, restart the Spotify app.
Should I use Spotify's volume normalization?
Volume normalization is useful if you listen to songs from different eras or genres with very different recording levels — it prevents sudden loud jumps between tracks. Turn it on if you find yourself constantly adjusting volume; turn it off if you prefer songs at their original recorded volume.