Discord is a popular voice and text chat application that is frequently used by gamers to communicate with friends and guildmates. The Discord app can be installed on a computer or mobile device, and it allows users to create and join servers that are dedicated to specific topics or communities.
Sometimes, Discord users may encounter an issue where they are unable to hear other users in a voice chat while they are playing a game. This can be a frustrating problem, especially if you are trying to coordinate with your team or if you are simply trying to chat with friends. There are several possible causes for this issue, and the solution will vary depending on the cause.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most common causes of this issue and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.
Can't Hear Discord When Playing Game
If you are unable to hear other users in a Discord voice chat while playing a game, there are several possible causes. Here are 7 important points to consider:
- Input/Output Settings: Ensure that your microphone and headphones are properly configured in Discord.
- Audio Drivers: Update your audio drivers to the latest version.
- Exclusive Mode: Disable exclusive mode for your audio device in Windows.
- Game Settings: Check the game's audio settings to make sure that Discord is selected as the output device.
- Firewalls: Make sure that Discord is allowed through your firewall.
- Network Congestion: High network usage can cause audio issues in Discord.
- Server Issues: Occasionally, Discord servers may experience issues that can affect voice chat.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of not being able to hear other users in Discord while playing a game.
Input/Output Settings: Ensure that your microphone and headphones are properly configured in Discord.
One of the most common causes of not being able to hear other users in Discord while playing a game is incorrect input/output settings. To ensure that your microphone and headphones are properly configured in Discord, follow these steps:
1. Open the Discord app and click on the **Settings** icon in the bottom left corner.
2. In the Settings menu, select the **Voice & Video** tab.
3. Under the **Input Device** section, select the microphone that you want to use. Make sure that the microphone is turned on and that the volume is adjusted to an appropriate level.
4. Under the **Output Device** section, select the headphones or speakers that you want to use. Make sure that the output device is turned on and that the volume is adjusted to an appropriate level.
5. Click on the **Test Microphone** button to test your microphone. You should see the microphone volume level indicator move as you speak.
6. Click on the **Test Speakers** button to test your speakers or headphones. You should hear a sound played through your speakers or headphones.
If you are still unable to hear other users in Discord after following these steps, try restarting the Discord app or your computer.
Audio Drivers: Update your audio drivers to the latest version.
Audio drivers are software that allows your computer to communicate with your sound card and other audio devices. Outdated audio drivers can cause a variety of problems, including issues with Discord voice chat.
- How to update your audio drivers:
The steps for updating your audio drivers will vary depending on your operating system and sound card. However, the general process is as follows:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" section.
- Right-click on your sound card and select "Update driver".
- Select "Search automatically for updated driver software".
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
- Benefits of updating your audio drivers:
Updating your audio drivers can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Improved sound quality
- Reduced latency
- Fixed bugs
- New features
- Risks of updating your audio drivers:
In some cases, updating your audio drivers can cause problems. However, these problems are relatively rare. If you experience any problems after updating your audio drivers, you can always roll back to the previous version.
- How to roll back your audio drivers:
If you experience any problems after updating your audio drivers, you can roll back to the previous version by following these steps:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" section.
- Right-click on your sound card and select "Properties".
- Select the "Driver" tab.
- Click on the "Roll Back Driver" button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback.
If you are still unable to hear other users in Discord after updating your audio drivers, try restarting the Discord app or your computer.
Exclusive Mode: Disable exclusive mode for your audio device in Windows.
Exclusive mode is a setting in Windows that allows an application to have exclusive control over an audio device. This can be useful for applications that require low-latency audio, such as music production software or games. However, exclusive mode can also cause problems with other applications, such as Discord.
If you are unable to hear other users in Discord while playing a game, exclusive mode may be enabled for your audio device. To disable exclusive mode, follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on "Sound".
- Select the "Playback" tab.
- Right-click on your audio device and select "Properties".
- Select the "Advanced" tab.
- Uncheck the "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" checkbox.
- Click on the "OK" button.
Once you have disabled exclusive mode, restart the Discord app and try playing a game. You should now be able to hear other users in Discord.
If you are still unable to hear other users in Discord after disabling exclusive mode, try restarting your computer.
Game Settings: Check the game's audio settings to make sure that Discord is selected as the output device.
Many games allow you to customize the audio settings, including the output device. If you are unable to hear other users in Discord while playing a game, make sure that Discord is selected as the output device in the game's settings.
- How to check the game's audio settings:
The steps for checking the game's audio settings will vary depending on the game. However, the general process is as follows:
- Open the game's settings menu.
- Navigate to the audio settings.
- Select Discord as the output device.
- Save your changes.
- Benefits of selecting Discord as the output device:
Selecting Discord as the output device in the game's settings will ensure that you can hear other users in Discord while playing the game.
- Risks of selecting Discord as the output device:
There are no risks associated with selecting Discord as the output device in the game's settings.
- Troubleshooting:
If you are still unable to hear other users in Discord after selecting Discord as the output device in the game's settings, try restarting the Discord app or the game.
If you are still having problems hearing other users in Discord while playing a game, you may need to contact the game's developers for support.
Firewalls: Make sure that Discord is allowed through your firewall.
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. If your firewall is not configured to allow Discord through, you may not be able to hear other users in Discord while playing a game.
- How to allow Discord through your firewall:
The steps for allowing Discord through your firewall will vary depending on the firewall software that you are using. However, the general process is as follows：
- Open the firewall software.
- Add Discord to the list of programs that are allowed through the firewall.
- Save your changes.
- Benefits of allowing Discord through your firewall:
Allowing Discord through your firewall will ensure that you can hear other users in Discord while playing a game.
- Risks of allowing Discord through your firewall:
There are no significant risks associated with allowing Discord through your firewall.
- Troubleshooting:
If you are still unable to hear other users in Discord after allowing Discord through your firewall, try restarting the Discord app or the game.
If you are still having problems hearing other users in Discord while playing a game, you may need to contact your firewall software vendor for support.
Network Congestion: High network usage can cause audio issues in Discord.
Network congestion occurs when there is too much traffic on a network, which can slow down or even stop the flow of data. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a large number of users on the network, slow internet speeds, or even a faulty network device.
If your network is congested, you may experience audio issues in Discord, such as choppy or distorted audio, or even complete audio loss. To resolve this issue, you can try the following:
- Close any unnecessary applications or programs that are using the internet.
- Restart your modem and router.
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to see if there are any issues with the network.
If you are still experiencing audio issues in Discord after trying the above steps, you may need to contact Discord support for further assistance.
Server Issues: Occasionally, Discord servers may experience issues that can affect voice chat.
Discord is a cloud-based service, which means that its servers are located in data centers around the world. While Discord's servers are generally very reliable, they can occasionally experience issues that can affect voice chat.
- How to check if Discord's servers are experiencing issues:
You can check the status of Discord's servers on the Discord website.
- What to do if Discord's servers are experiencing issues:
If Discord's servers are experiencing issues, there is not much that you can do except wait for the issues to be resolved. However, you can try the following:
- Restart the Discord app.
- Restart your computer.
- Try connecting to a different server.
- How to avoid server issues:
There is no surefire way to avoid server issues, but you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing them by doing the following:
- Use a wired internet connection instead of a wireless connection.
- Close any unnecessary applications or programs that are using the internet.
- Make sure that your computer's operating system and drivers are up to date.
- What to do if you are still experiencing server issues:
If you are still experiencing server issues after trying the above steps, you can contact Discord support for further assistance.
Discord's servers are constantly being monitored and updated, so server issues are relatively rare. However, if you do experience server issues, you can try the steps outlined above to resolve the issue.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about why you may not be able to hear other users in Discord while playing a game:
Question 1: I have checked all of the settings in Discord and my game, but I still can't hear other users. What could be the problem?
Answer 1: There are a few possible causes for this issue. One possibility is that your network is congested. Another possibility is that Discord's servers are experiencing issues. You can check the status of Discord's servers on the Discord website.
Question 2: I can hear other users in Discord, but the audio is choppy or distorted. What can I do to fix this?
Answer 2: Choppy or distorted audio can be caused by a number of factors, including network congestion, outdated audio drivers, or a faulty sound card. Try restarting the Discord app and your computer. If that doesn't work, try updating your audio drivers or contacting your sound card manufacturer for support.
Question 3: I can't hear other users in Discord, but they can hear me. What's wrong?
Answer 3: This issue is usually caused by incorrect input/output settings in Discord. Make sure that your microphone is selected as the input device and that your headphones or speakers are selected as the output device.
Question 4: I'm using a VPN, and I can't hear other users in Discord. What should I do?
Answer 4: Some VPNs can interfere with Discord's voice chat. Try disabling your VPN and see if that resolves the issue.
Question 5: I've tried all of the above, but I still can't hear other users in Discord. What else can I do?
Answer 5: If you have tried all of the above and you are still unable to hear other users in Discord, you can contact Discord support for further assistance.
Question 6: I'm having trouble hearing other users in Discord while playing a specific game. What should I do?
Answer 6: Some games have their own voice chat settings. Make sure that you have selected the correct voice chat settings in the game.
If you are still having problems hearing other users in Discord while playing a game, you can try the following tips:
Tips
Here are some tips for resolving issues with hearing other users in Discord while playing a game:
Tip 1: Check your input/output settings in Discord. Make sure that your microphone is selected as the input device and that your headphones or speakers are selected as the output device.
Tip 2: Update your audio drivers. Outdated audio drivers can cause a variety of audio issues, including problems with Discord voice chat. You can update your audio drivers by visiting the website of your sound card manufacturer.
Tip 3: Disable exclusive mode for your audio device in Windows. Exclusive mode can prevent other applications, such as Discord, from accessing your audio device. To disable exclusive mode, open the Control Panel, click on "Sound", select the "Playback" tab, right-click on your audio device, and select "Properties". Then, select the "Advanced" tab and uncheck the "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" checkbox.
Tip 4: Make sure that Discord is allowed through your firewall. If your firewall is blocking Discord, you will not be able to hear other users in voice chat. To allow Discord through your firewall, open the firewall settings and add Discord to the list of allowed programs.
{Closing Paragraph for Tips}If you have tried all of the above tips and you are still having problems hearing other users in Discord while playing a game, you can contact Discord support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you are unable to hear other users in Discord while playing a game, there are several possible causes. The most common causes include incorrect input/output settings, outdated audio drivers, exclusive mode being enabled for your audio device, or Discord being blocked by your firewall. You can try the following steps to resolve the issue:
- Check your input/output settings in Discord.
- Update your audio drivers.
- Disable exclusive mode for your audio device in Windows.
- Make sure that Discord is allowed through your firewall.
If you have tried all of the above steps and you are still having problems, you can contact Discord support for further assistance.
Discord is a great way to stay connected with friends and family while playing games. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that you can always hear your fellow players loud and clear.