Fixing Discord Microphone Issues
When friends can't hear you on Discord, the issue is typically related to microphone settings, permissions, hardware problems, or Discord configuration. This guide covers all major causes and solutions for both desktop and mobile devices.
Quick Diagnostic Steps
- Check if you're muted in Discord (red microphone icon)
- Verify your microphone is working in other apps
- Test your microphone in Discord's voice settings
- Check Discord permissions for microphone access
- Ensure correct input device is selected
Basic Discord Settings Check
Unmute Yourself
- Look for the microphone icon at the bottom of Discord
- If it has a red line through it, you're muted
- Click the microphone or press Ctrl+Shift+M (desktop) to unmute
- On mobile, tap the microphone icon to toggle mute/unmute
Check Server Mute Status
- Look at your name in the voice channel member list
- If there's a red microphone next to your name, you're server muted
- Ask a server admin to unmute you
- Server mutes override your personal unmute settings
Discord Voice & Video Settings
Input Device Configuration
- Open Discord Settings (gear icon)
- Go to "Voice & Video"
- Check "Input Device" dropdown
- Select your correct microphone/headset
- Test using the "Let's Check" microphone test
Input Sensitivity Settings
- In Voice & Video settings
- Choose between "Voice Activity" and "Push to Talk"
- For Voice Activity:
- Adjust the sensitivity slider
- Speak normally and watch the input bar
- Set threshold where it consistently picks up your voice
- For Push to Talk:
- Set a key combination you can easily press
- Hold the key while speaking
Advanced Audio Settings
- Automatic Gain Control: Try toggling ON/OFF
- Echo Cancellation: Usually should be enabled
- Noise Suppression: Enable to filter background noise
- Advanced Voice Activity: Try disabling if having issues
💡 Testing Tip: Use Discord's built-in microphone test to verify your audio is being captured before troubleshooting with friends.
System Permission Issues
Windows Microphone Permissions
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone
- Ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is ON
- Scroll down and ensure Discord is allowed microphone access
- Also check "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone"
macOS Microphone Permissions
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Click the "Privacy" tab
- Select "Microphone" from the left sidebar
- Check the box next to Discord
- Restart Discord if you just granted permission
Mobile Permissions
iOS:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone
- Ensure Discord toggle is ON (green)
- If it was off, restart Discord after enabling
Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Discord > Permissions
- Ensure Microphone is set to "Allow"
- Force close and reopen Discord
Hardware Troubleshooting
Test Your Microphone
- Windows: Search "Sound settings" and test recording
- Mac: Open System Preferences > Sound > Input and test
- Mobile: Use voice recorder app to test
- If microphone doesn't work elsewhere, it's a hardware issue
Check Physical Connections
- Wired headsets: Ensure fully plugged into correct port
- USB devices: Try different USB ports
- Wireless headsets: Check battery and connection status
- Built-in microphones: Check if physically blocked or muted
Microphone Mute Switches
- Many headsets have physical mute buttons/switches
- Check for mute indicators (LED lights, switch position)
- Some keyboards have microphone mute keys
- Laptop function keys may control microphone mute
Windows-Specific Solutions
Windows Sound Settings
- Right-click the sound icon in system tray
- Select "Open Sound settings"
- Under Input, select your microphone
- Click "Device properties"
- Ensure device is enabled and volume is up
- Test using "Test your microphone"
Default Communication Device
- Right-click sound icon > "Sounds"
- Go to "Recording" tab
- Right-click your microphone
- Select "Set as Default Communication Device"
- Click OK and restart Discord
Exclusive Mode Settings
- In Sound settings > Recording tab
- Right-click microphone > "Properties"
- Go to "Advanced" tab
- Uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control"
- Apply changes and test Discord
Audio Driver Issues
Update Audio Drivers
- Open Device Manager
- Expand "Audio inputs and outputs"
- Right-click your microphone device
- Select "Update driver"
- Choose "Search automatically"
- Restart computer after updating
Realtek Audio Issues
- If you have Realtek Audio, open Realtek Audio Console
- Check if microphone is detected and configured correctly
- Try disabling/enabling effects and enhancements
- Set microphone boost if volume is too low
Discord-Specific Troubleshooting
Reset Voice Settings
- In Discord Voice & Video settings
- Scroll to bottom and click "Reset Voice Settings"
- This will restore all audio settings to defaults
- Reconfigure your preferred settings after reset
Legacy Audio Subsystem
- In Discord Voice & Video settings
- Toggle "Use Legacy Audio Subsystem" ON
- Restart Discord completely
- Test microphone functionality
- If it doesn't help, turn it back OFF
Hardware Acceleration
- Go to Discord Settings > Advanced
- Toggle "Hardware Acceleration" OFF
- Restart Discord completely
- Test if microphone works better
Network and Server Issues
Server Region Problems
- Ask server admin to try changing server region
- Some regions may have audio quality issues
- Test in different servers to isolate the problem
- Try direct messages to see if it's server-specific
Connection Quality
- Check your internet connection stability
- High packet loss can cause audio dropouts
- Use wired connection instead of WiFi if possible
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications
Advanced Solutions
Third-Party Software Conflicts
- OBS: May conflict with microphone access
- Streamlabs: Can interfere with audio devices
- Voice changers: May block Discord from accessing microphone
- Other voice chat apps: Close Skype, Teams, Zoom, etc.
Windows Audio Service Restart
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc - Find "Windows Audio" service
- Right-click and select "Restart"
- Also restart "Windows Audio Endpoint Builder"
- Test Discord after services restart
Microphone Troubleshooting Checklist:
- ✅ Discord microphone not muted (no red line)
- ✅ Not server muted by admin
- ✅ Correct input device selected in Discord
- ✅ System permissions granted for microphone
- ✅ Hardware connections secure
- ✅ No physical mute switches engaged
- ✅ Audio drivers updated
- ✅ Other apps closed that might use microphone
Testing and Verification
Discord Microphone Test
- Go to Discord Voice & Video settings
- Use the "Let's Check" feature
- Speak normally and watch for green activity bars
- Record a test message and play it back
Test with Friends
- Join a voice channel with a friend
- Ask them to confirm if they can hear you
- Have them test their audio too
- Try different voice channels and servers
⚠️ Important: If your microphone works in Discord's test but friends still can't hear you, the issue is likely network-related or server-specific rather than a microphone problem.
✅ Pro Tip: Set up Push to Talk as a backup. Even if Voice Activity isn't working, Push to Talk often bypasses sensitivity issues and ensures your voice is transmitted.