If the whole game sounds too quiet, open Options > Audio > Output > Dynamic Range and change the setting to Narrow. If gameplay is quieter than music or cutscenes—or audio fades when sounds move behind the camera—use the targeted checks below instead. These are Naughty Dog’s official troubleshooting recommendations, not independently tested fixes.
First, match the fix to the audio problem
- Everything sounds too quiet: try Narrow Dynamic Range.
- Gameplay is quieter than music or cutscenes: disable playback-device enhancements in Windows, then try another in-game Output Mode if needed.
- Sound gets unusually quiet behind the camera: check that the Windows speaker layout and the game’s output-channel setting match your physical setup.
- Surround sound is missing: configure the Windows speaker layout to match your actual speakers.
Naughty Dog lists these symptoms and steps in its PC audio FAQ.
If the whole game is too quiet, change Dynamic Range
- In the game, open Options > Audio > Output.
- Set Dynamic Range to Narrow.
- Listen to both quiet and loud passages and keep the setting that suits you.
Naughty Dog explains that Maximum preserves the natural difference between the quietest and loudest sounds, which can make the game seem quieter on average. Narrow reduces that difference by making quiet sounds louder. The trade-off is less contrast between subtle sounds and loud ones, so Narrow is an option for low average loudness rather than a universal best setting.
If gameplay is quieter than music or cutscenes
Disable Windows playback enhancements
- Open the Windows Sound Control Panel.
- On the Playback tab, select the device you use for the game and open Properties.
- If the device has an Enhancements tab, select Disable all enhancements and apply the change.
Windows may not show an Enhancements tab for every playback device. If the option is available and changing it does not resolve the imbalance, try a different in-game Output Mode.
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Try another in-game Output Mode
- Open Options > Audio > Compatibility > Output Mode.
- Try Spatial. If the problem remains, switch to Traditional, or reverse that order if you are already using one of them.
- Check gameplay and cutscenes again after each change.
Naughty Dog says Windows Spatial Sound bypasses most third-party audio-processing software. Choose Traditional if you want to use that software’s processing or virtualization. The official FAQ also recommends Traditional for missing dialogue or no sound during cinematics.
If audio fades behind the camera or surround sound is wrong
Match Windows speaker configuration to your physical setup
- Open the Windows Sound Control Panel and go to Playback.
- Select your playback device and choose Configure.
- Choose the speaker layout that matches the speakers you actually use, then complete the setup wizard.
Match the game’s output channels
In the game’s audio output settings, confirm that Output Channels matches your physical speaker configuration. If the layout already matches but audio remains unusually quiet when it moves behind the camera, try Traditional under Options > Audio > Compatibility > Output Mode.
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Dolby Atmos is optional
Dolby Atmos setup is not a required fix for low volume. If you want to configure Atmos, Naughty Dog’s FAQ says Dolby Access is available free from the Microsoft Store. Set a compatible Dolby Atmos playback device as the Windows default, choose Dolby Atmos for home theater as its format, and select the same option under Windows Spatial Sound. In the game, use the default output device, set Output Device Type to [AUTO] Home Theater, and set Output Channels to [AUTO] 3D Spatial Sound. The FAQ notes that manually selecting 5.1 or 7.1 means the system uses only those channels.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to know about game updates
Naughty Dog’s patch index lists releases through Patch 1.6 as accessed on October 8, 2026. Patch 1.1, published April 11, 2025, fixed audio/video desynchronization when watching the Grounded II Documentary; that note does not establish a general fix for quiet gameplay audio. The PC Steam listing includes custom volume controls, stereo sound, and surround sound among the game’s features.
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If the relevant Windows and in-game steps do not resolve the problem, Naughty Dog directs players to its PC audio support FAQ.
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