Windows 10 volume randomly resets to maximum

This has been happening since I installed Windows 10 when it was released.

I have extremely sensitive headphones, so I keep the system volume down to about 10-20 range all the time. 100% is wayy too loud. So I'll be on youtube and then I'll pause the video, and after a few seconds if I resume it the volume is EXTREMELY loud, as if the system volume was at 100%. It also happens almost every time I click to a new video.

If I click on the sound icon in the taskbar, it shows it still in the 10-20 range, but if I tweak it up or down it immediately fixes the volume to the actual setting it shows.

My primary browser is Firefox, but I've had it happen in Chrome and it even happens in other applications, such as Windows Explorer (e.g. the little noise it makes when you hit backspace).

I have done a search, and am aware of this question: Windows 10 volume jumps to 100% on random

However, the accepted answer on this question does not solve my problem! The answer concludes that it is a problem with edge, but it is happening system-wide for me.

I have uninstalled my sound drivers, reinstalled them, and updated them to the latest but the problem still occurs. The second answer on the question above seems closer to home, however I don't have a Disable all sound effects checkbox in my playback tab. I've changed every setting in the audio settings but the problem doesn't go away.

I've halfway gotten into the habit of just clicking on the sound icon in my taskbar in preparation for whenever I do anything with audio, but it's extremely frustrating.

This worked for me:

• Click Start and type Sound to open the Sound window.
• On the Playback tab, select Speakers/Headphones and press Properties.
• Now go to Advanced tab and uncheck Exclusive Mode - Allow applications to take exclusive control on this device.

Step 1:

Step 2:

I didn't have this problem originally, then I updated my drivers. I grabbed the official Realtek drivers from their website and didn't notice the problem at first, then I have been having the problem ever since.

I removed the drivers, deleted all existence of drivers and let Windows install a driver itself.

Since then, no problems...