Linux Mint: How to Increase Volume Above 100%
Sound is an important part of a computer, there are many scenarios where you will use it, such as listening to music while working or watching videos on the Internet. Sometimes you may find that some content is too quiet to hear properly, even if you turn the volume all the way up. This can be frustrating, but Linux Mint has an option that allows you to increase the volume beyond the standard 100% value.
Before you look at enabling the gain settings, you should make sure that all the other volume options are really as high as they can go. Most volume settings increase volume without negatively affecting sound quality. Unfortunately, amplification can negatively affect the listening experience, as it will make the white noise sound much more pronounced and some of the details of the sound may be lost.
To avoid this gain-related loss of quality, it’s best to double-check that your speakers or headset are set to maximum volume if they have physical volume controls. Once you’ve done this, you should also check that your volume settings in Linux Mint are set to maximum. To do so, press the Super key, type “Sound” and press Enter.
Tip: The “Super” key is the name many Linux distributions use to refer to the Windows key or the Apple “Command” key, avoiding any risk of trademark issues.
Press the Super key, type “Sound” and press Enter.
On the default “Output” tab, make sure the “Volume” slider is set as high as it will go for the audio device you are using. You can also try some alternative audio devices in the “Devices” section to see if they help you solve your problem.
Check that the volume is as high as possible and try an alternative output device.
If none of these suggestions solve your problem, go to the “Settings” tab. Here you can increase the volume by adjusting the “Max Volume” slider. The default value is 100%, but can be reduced to 1% or increased to 150%.
Increase the “Max Volume” slider in the “Settings” tab.
Nothing happens immediately if you set this setting to 100%, to get the effect you will need to switch back to the “Output” tab where you can now set the “Volume” slider above 100%.
Tip: It is recommended not to go straight to 150% as it can be extremely loud.
You can now change the “Volume” slider in the “Output” tab to more than 100%.