When your friends can’t hear you, the problem is almost never the microphone itself. It’s usually a Windows setting, the wrong input device, or a mute somewhere between your mouth and the voice channel. Work through these checks in order. Most people are fixed by step 3.

This guide is part of our PC game troubleshooting guide.

1. Check the hardware mute and connection

  • Mute switch or button: many headsets mute the mic when you flip the boom up or press a button on the earcup or cable. Some show a red light when muted.
  • Connection: unplug the headset and plug it back in. With a 3.5mm headset, make sure the plug is in the microphone jack (often pink) or, for a single four-pole plug, a combined headset jack. Try another USB port for USB headsets, ideally on the back of the PC.
  • Wireless headsets: check it’s charged and connected, and that the dongle is plugged in directly rather than through a hub.

2. Allow microphone access in Windows

Windows can block apps from using the microphone entirely. Microsoft’s steps:

  1. Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
  2. Make sure Microphone access is on.
  3. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is on.
  4. Make sure Let desktop apps access your microphone is on. Discord, Steam and almost every PC game are desktop apps, and they don’t appear with individual switches. This one switch covers them all.

If the switches were already on, Microsoft suggests turning them off and on again, closing your apps and restarting the PC.

3. Choose the right input device

Windows and each app keep their own idea of which microphone to use, and a webcam mic, monitor or virtual audio device often gets picked by mistake.

  • In Windows: open Settings > System > Sound, and under Input choose your headset or microphone. Speak and watch the input volume bar move. If it doesn’t move here, the problem is below the app, so skip to step 6.
  • In Discord: open User Settings > Voice & Video, choose your microphone under Input Device rather than leaving it on Default, and press Let’s Check to run the mic test.
  • In the game: look in the audio or voice chat settings for an input device option, and check voice chat is turned on.

4. Check how voice chat sends your voice

  • Push to talk vs voice activity: with push to talk, nothing is sent unless you hold the key. Make sure the key is bound and isn’t also used by the game. With voice activity, Discord only sends audio above the Input Sensitivity threshold; if the indicator never lights up as you talk, lower it or turn on automatic sensitivity.
  • Muted in the app: look for a crossed-out microphone icon in Discord or the game. A server or game moderator can also mute you, which shows as a different icon.
  • Noise suppression: aggressive noise suppression can cut a quiet voice. Try turning it down or off to test.

5. Stop another app taking the microphone

Video call apps, recording software and some headset utilities can hold onto the microphone. Close anything else that uses the mic and try again.

You can also stop apps taking exclusive control of the device. Open the classic Sound control panel (search for “Change system sounds” and switch to the Recording tab), select your microphone, open Properties > Advanced, and clear Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

While you’re in the Recording tab, check the microphone’s Levels tab. The level should be well above zero and not muted.

6. Update or reinstall the audio driver

If Windows itself doesn’t see the mic move, update the driver:

  • USB and wireless headsets: install the maker’s software or firmware updates from their support page.
  • Mic plugged into the PC’s audio jacks: get the latest audio driver from your motherboard or laptop maker’s support page. Discord’s guide also recommends updating your system and audio drivers before deeper troubleshooting.

As a quick test, open Device Manager, expand Audio inputs and outputs, right-click the microphone and choose Uninstall device, then restart. Windows reinstalls it on startup.

7. Reset Discord’s voice settings

If the mic works in Windows but not in Discord, Discord’s guide suggests resetting its voice settings: in User Settings > Voice & Video, find Reset Voice Settings (in recent versions it’s under the Debugging section). You’ll need to choose your input device again afterwards.

Still not working?

Try the headset on another PC or a phone. If it fails there too, the microphone or cable is faulty. If it works elsewhere, compare the settings in steps 2 and 3 on both machines.

Upgrading anyway? A USB microphone sounds far better than most headset mics. See our best USB microphones for gaming and streaming.

More PC Game Fixes Wired vs Wireless Headsets