The volume knob on my reference monitor speakers crackles when adjusted, so I prefer to leave it at about 20% and use the Windows volume control via keyboard shortcuts. Windows volume adjusts in 2% increments, which is fine, but I've noticed that any volume setting below 5% is completely silent (4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, and of course 0%). Even at 1%, there should be some audible sound, just very quiet. This issue started with Windows 11; it wasn't a problem in Windows 10.