In this paper, a double-diffusive mixed convection flow in an enclosed cavity with the effects of Soret number (Sr) and Joule’s heating parameter (J) is presented. Finite volume approach-based differed quadratic upstream interpolation for convective kinematics (QUICK) scheme and central difference scheme are used to resolve the respective convective and diffusive fluxes. The results are presented in terms of temperature, concentration and stream line contours by varying the buoyancy ratio (−100 ≤ N ≤ 100), Soret number (Sr = 0 and 1) and Joules number (J = 0 and 1). The present results are validated with the reported literature. Results show that the temperature is uniformly distributed with the absence of Soret number and a bulk fluid diffusion takes place inside the cavity once the Soret effect is induced. The effects of Joules heating on average Nu and Sh are negligible for Sr = 0, and it has a significant variation with Soret number. © 2021, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.