Discord mic not working is one of the most common Discord issues — your friends can’t hear you even though you’re in a voice channel. The good news is it’s almost always a settings issue, not a hardware problem. Here are the fixes that work.
Contents
Why Is Discord Mic Not Working?
- Wrong input device selected in Discord
- Windows not granting microphone permission to Discord
- Input volume set to zero
- Discord set to wrong audio mode (push-to-talk not activated)
- Outdated Discord or audio drivers
How to Fix Discord Mic Not Working
Fix 1: Check Discord Input Device Settings
Discord may be using the wrong microphone:
- Open Discord → User Settings (gear icon)
- Go to Voice & Video
- Under Input Device, make sure the correct microphone is selected (not “Default” if that’s causing issues — select your specific mic)
- Speak into the mic and check if the Input Volume bar moves
Fix 2: Check Input Volume and Sensitivity
In Voice & Video settings, make sure:
- Input Volume is not at zero — set it to 100%
- If using Voice Activity mode, disable Automatically determine input sensitivity and manually set the threshold lower
Fix 3: Grant Microphone Permission (Windows)
Windows 10/11 can block Discord from accessing your microphone:
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
- Make sure Microphone access is turned On
- Scroll down and ensure Discord is toggled On in the list of apps
Fix 4: Grant Microphone Permission (Mac)
- Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
- Ensure Discord is toggled on
- Restart Discord after granting permission
Fix 5: Check Push-to-Talk Settings
If your Input Mode is set to Push to Talk, your mic will only activate when you hold the assigned key. Either switch to Voice Activity mode, or make sure you’re holding the correct push-to-talk key. This is a common cause of “mic not working” when it’s actually working correctly in push-to-talk mode.
Fix 6: Run Discord as Administrator (Windows)
Right-click the Discord shortcut and select Run as administrator. This gives Discord elevated permissions to access hardware. If this fixes the mic, you can set it permanently: right-click Discord shortcut → Properties → Compatibility → check Run this program as an administrator.
Fix 7: Update Audio Drivers (Windows)
Outdated audio drivers can cause microphone issues across all apps, not just Discord. To update:
- Right-click Start → Device Manager
- Expand Audio inputs and outputs
- Right-click your microphone → Update driver
Fix 8: Reset Discord Voice Settings
Go to User Settings → Voice & Video and scroll to the bottom. Click Reset Voice Settings. This resets all audio settings to default, which often resolves issues caused by misconfigured settings.
Fix 9: Update or Reinstall Discord
If none of the above works, update Discord via User Settings → Check for updates. If already up to date, uninstall Discord, download the latest version from discord.com, and reinstall.
Discord Mic Not Working on Browser
If using Discord in a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), the browser itself needs microphone permission:
- Chrome: Click the padlock icon in the address bar → Site settings → Microphone → Allow
- Firefox: Click the microphone icon in the address bar when prompted → Allow
Frequently Asked Questions
My mic works in other apps but not Discord — why?
This is almost always a Discord-specific settings issue — wrong input device, blocked microphone permission, or push-to-talk mode active. Follow Fix 1 and Fix 3 first.
Why can I hear others but they can’t hear me?
If you can hear your server but they can’t hear you, your speakers/headphones are working but your microphone is the issue. Work through the input device and permission fixes above.
Does Discord have a built-in mic test?
Yes. In User Settings → Voice & Video, click Let’s Check under the microphone settings. Discord will record a few seconds and play it back so you can hear what others would hear.
