---
title: "Inputs and outputs"
description: "How to choose where your Volumio device sends its sound, and how to switch to its hardware inputs from the app."
url: https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/175-inputs-and-outputs
collection: "Getting started"
updated: 2026-11-13
language: en
---

# Inputs and outputs

How to choose where your Volumio device sends its sound, and how to switch to its hardware inputs from the app.

This article covers the settings in the app. To see which inputs and outputs your device has and how to connect them, see its [user manual](https://help.volumio.com/collections/3-user-manuals).

## Choose the audio output

The audio output is where your device sends the sound: for example its analog outputs, a digital output, or a USB DAC.

1.  Open your device and go to `Settings` → `Playback options`.
    
2.  Under `Audio output`, choose the output in `Output device`.
    
3.  Press `Save`.
    

The list shows the outputs of your device, plus any USB DAC connected to it. Some devices handle their outputs by themselves: on those, this setting isn't shown.

> **Tip:** If you use a Raspberry Pi with an I2S DAC board (HAT), turn on `I2S DAC` in the same section and choose your board in `DAC model`. More in [DIY](https://help.volumio.com/articles/192-diy).

## Switch input

On devices with hardware inputs (for example optical, coaxial or analog), you can listen to what's connected to them, like a TV or a CD player.

Choose the input in one of these ways:

-   In `Browse`, under `Inputs`, press the input you want.
    
-   In the player bar, tap `Inputs and outputs`, then choose the input under `Input source`.
    
-   Use the input knob or button on the device, or the remote control, as explained in its user manual.
    

To go back to Volumio's music, start playing anything from `Browse`: the device switches back by itself.

## Volume

You can [change the volume](https://help.volumio.com/articles/178-volume), or let your amplifier handle it.

## Troubleshooting

### There's no sound from the output

1.  Go to `Settings` → `Playback options` and check that `Output device` is the output your amplifier or DAC is connected to.
    
2.  Check that the amplifier or DAC is on and set to the right input.
    

For more, see [Playback issues](https://help.volumio.com/articles/198-playback-issues) and [DAC issues](https://help.volumio.com/articles/203-dac-issues).

### The inputs don't show up

`Inputs` only shows on devices with hardware inputs: check in your device's user manual which inputs it has.

## Related

- [Nova and Volumio 4](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/172-nova-and-volumio-4.md)
- [Volumio app](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/173-volumio-app.md)
- [Volumio in a browser](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/174-volumio-in-a-browser.md)
- [Power and standby](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/176-power-and-standby.md)
- [Play music](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/177-play-music.md)