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How to Change Audio Device in Iracing

Quick steps for iRacing drivers: learn how to change audio device in iRacing to send sound to headphones, speakers, or virtual audio and fix audio routing fast.

If you’re dealing with how to change audio device in iracing, the quick answer is: pick the output in iRacing’s Sound options or set the Windows output (and restart iRacing if needed). You’re in the right place — follow these simple steps to fix audio routing fast.

Quick Answer — how to change audio device in iracing

Open iRacing, go to Options → Sound, and select the Output Device from the dropdown. If the device isn’t listed, set the correct Windows default audio device or use Windows “App volume and device preferences” to route iRacing to the device, then restart the sim.

What’s really going on

iRacing sends its game audio to whatever audio device the sim or Windows tells it to use. If you plug a new headset, use a USB DAC, or run virtual audio tools (VoiceMeeter, virtual cables), iRacing may still be using the old output. The result is no sound or sound in the wrong speakers. Changing the device in the sim or in Windows is how you fix that.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Check Windows first: right-click the speaker icon → Open Sound settings → choose your Output device. Make sure your headset or speakers show up and play a test sound.
  2. Open iRacing and press Options (bottom right of the main screen). Click the Sound tab.
  3. Find the Output Device dropdown and select the device you want (headphones, speakers, virtual cable). Save or apply the setting.
  4. If the device isn’t listed in iRacing, close iRacing, confirm the device is set as Windows default, then relaunch iRacing and check the Sound tab again.
  5. Use Windows per-app routing (Settings → System → Sound → Advanced sound options → App volume and device preferences) to force iRacing.exe to a specific output if you want different apps on different devices.
  6. Still not working? Restart your PC or update the audio drivers. Some USB headsets require reconnecting after sleep or driver reinstall.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Plug the headset in before launching iRacing when possible.
  • If you use virtual audio software, assign the correct virtual device in both Windows and iRacing.
  • Disable “exclusive mode” in the Windows device properties if you get no sound from other apps.
  • If you use voice comms (Discord, TeamSpeak), route them separately using Windows app settings so voice doesn’t follow iRacing’s output unless you want it to.
  • Update USB headset firmware or drivers if the device disappears from lists.

FAQs

Q: Why doesn’t my headset show up in iRacing’s device list?
A: iRacing shows devices Windows reports. Set the headset as the Windows default or reconnect it, then restart iRacing.

Q: Do I need to restart iRacing after changing the Windows output?
A: Often yes. The sim may only read devices at start. Relaunching iRacing forces it to pick up the current Windows device list.

Q: Can iRacing split different sounds to different devices?
A: No built-in per-sound routing. Use Windows app routing or virtual audio tools to send iRacing sound to one device and chat to another.

Q: My audio works in Windows but not in race sessions — any tips?
A: Make sure iRacing’s Output Device is set correctly, check volume in the iRacing Sound tab, and disable any exclusive mode in Windows device properties.

Wrap-up

Changing your audio device in iRacing is usually two steps: make sure Windows sees the device, then select it inside iRacing’s Sound options and restart the sim if needed. If that doesn’t fix it, try the Windows per-app routing or update drivers before your next session.