Discord mic not working [QUICK GUIDE]
After the continued success and rise of Discord, more and more gamers started to use it as their main communication app. Many of them said that the user-friendly interface and the quick bug fixes got them on board.
Although the development team behind Discord is always on the watch for any issues that may come up, one, in particular, evaded them for a long time.
Of course, we are talking about the infamous microphone problems in Windows 10 app.
What can I do if my mic is not working in Windows 10 Discord app? A quick way to solve the problem is to grant access to your microphone for applications. In some cases, Discord settings and Windows 10 Sound settings don’t match. After that, you can reset your Discord settings or use Push to Talk.
How do I fix microphone problems in Discord?
- Enable microphone access in Windows 10
- Log Out and Re-login
- Reset your voice settings
- Select your input device
- Enable Automatic Input Sensitivity
- Use Push to Talk
Before you start, perform some basic checks to make sure that everything is working properly:
- Check your hardware‘s integrity.
- If you’re using an external mic, try connecting it through another port.
- If you’re using an external mic, try connecting it to another PC to check if it works.
- Make sure you have all the drivers installed.
1. Enable microphone access in Windows 10
This is a simple solution with no relation to Discord, and sometimes it’s all that is needed:
- Go to Windows Settings > Privacy.
- Scroll down in the left panel, and under App Permissions click on Microphone.
- In the right section, under Allow apps to access your microphone toggle the switch to ON.
Settings app won’t launch? This is how to quickly fix it!
2. Log Out and Re-login
From time to time, some software bugs can render you mic unusable. Logging out and then re-logging in can refresh the interface, thus making the bugs disappear.
- In the Discord app, click the User Settings icon (bottom-right cog icon).
- Then scroll down and click on Log Out. A new window will appear. Click Log Out again.
- After you logged out, restart Discord and log in with your credentials.
Remember that this is only a temporary solution and will not work on the long term.
3. Reset your voice settings
- In the Discord app, click the User Settings icon (bottom-right cog icon).
- In the left sidebar choose Voice & Video.
- In the right section, scroll down. You should see a Reset Voice Settings button. Click on it.
- For a quick test of the mic, scroll up and click on Let’s Check button under Mic Test.
4. Select your input device
If you use an external mic, it’s possible that in Discord that device isn’t set as default. To set your mic as the default input device, follow the steps:
- In the Discord app, click the User Settings icon (bottom-right cog icon).
- In the left sidebar choose Voice & Video.
- Under Input Device, instead of Default, choose your preferred microphone.
- After that, make sure that the volume slider is all the way to the right.
5. Enable Automatic Input Sensitivity
- In the Discord app, click the User Settings icon (bottom-right cog icon).
- In the left sidebar choose Voice & Video.
- Scroll down a bit and under Input Sensitivity, toggle on the Automatically determine input sensitivity.
- Now you can test your mic and if the indicator is green, that means that the problem is solved.
6. Use Push to Talk
- In the Discord app, click the User Settings icon (bottom-right cog icon).
- In the left sidebar choose Voice & Video.
- In the right section, you will see Input Mode and two options: Voice Activity and Push to Talk.
- Check the box right next to Push to Talk.
- You’ll need to assign a key that will activate the microphone every time you’ll want to use it. Under Shortcut, record a keybind and press your desired key.
- The next time you want to use your mic in Discord, you’ll have to press that key.
If you have any more questions or suggestions, go for the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
FAQ: Discord mic issues
- How do I enable microphone on Discord?
Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone as shown above and check in the list that Discord is enabled. Then go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and do the same.
- Why my microphone is not working?
Make sure your mic is connected correctly and Discord is allowed to use it, as discussed in this guide. For a specific issue, check out our Microphone Issues Repository.
Why can no one hear me on Discord?
Check that your Discord can access the microphone from Settings, then make sure your microphone is not muted and that it actually works then go through the steps above to diagnose the issue.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2019 and has been since revamped and updated in March 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.