[Solved]: Discord Not Detecting Mic

[Solved]: Discord Not Detecting Mic

/ Shayne Sherman

Currently, reports are going around that Discord has a glitch where the user can hear everyone on the voice chat, but the user can’t be heard from the voice chat. The issue seems to be isolated on the desktop app of Discord, as there are a good number of users reporting that their microphone works perfectly on the web app.

For the past months, there’s been a significant increase in the number of users that switched to Discord as their communication app. Most of the time, the app works almost perfectly with a low requirement for internet bandwidth, making it popular for gamers who don’t want to experience lags while playing their games.

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In most cases, the Discord team usually fixes this issue on the app within the day. However, this particular issue with microphones on the Discord app has been happening for months.

Since there are no “works for all” solutions for this error on Discord not detecting the mic, we will show you a couple of methods you can follow to try and fix the issue with the Desktop app.

Common Reasons for Discord Not Detecting Mic Issues

In this section, we will explore some common reasons why Discord might not be detecting your mic, leading to issues when trying to communicate with others on the platform. If you are experiencing such problems, understanding the potential causes can help you address the issue more effectively.

  1. Incorrect Audio Input Settings: The most common reason for Discord not detecting the mic is incorrect audio input settings. Users might have selected the wrong microphone as their default option or have set their input volume too low for Discord to pick up the sound.
  2. Software Conflicts: Third-party applications or software on your computer might be interfering with Discord’s ability to access your microphone, leading to the mic not being detected.
  3. Outdated Audio Drivers: Outdated or incompatible audio drivers may affect your microphone’s performance and prevent Discord from detecting it correctly. It is essential to keep your audio drivers up-to-date for optimal functioning.
  4. App Permissions: Windows privacy settings may be restricting Discord from accessing your microphone. It is crucial to ensure that appropriate permissions are granted for Discord to function correctly.
  5. Discord Glitch: Sometimes, a temporary glitch in the Discord application could cause the mic detection issue, and logging out of your account and logging back in could potentially resolve the problem.
  6. Microphone Hardware Issues: It is possible that your microphone or the connected hardware (cables or ports) might be faulty or damaged, causing the mic detection issue on Discord. In such cases, it is essential to verify if your microphone works on other applications.
  7. Administrator Permissions: Discord may require administrative access to use your microphone for communication purposes. Running the program as an administrator might resolve the issue in some cases.

Remember that there might not be a “one-size-fits-all” solution to this problem, and you may need to try out various methods or combinations to resolve the issue. If none of the mentioned reasons seem to apply or solve your Discord mic detection issue, you may need to contact the Discord support team for further assistance.

How to Fix “Well It Looks Like Discord Is Not Detecting Any Input From Your Mic”

Method 1: Re Login to Your Discord Account

When having problems with the Discord app on your computer, the first thing you can do to try and fix the issue is to log out of your account and log back in. The desktop app could have encountered a temporary glitch, and a simple restart can resolve the problem.

To do this, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1. On your computer, go to the Discord app and click on the Gear icon to open User Settings.

discord settings

Step 2. Now, please scroll down and find the Log Out button from the side menu and click it.

discord logout option

Step 3. Lastly, after logging out of your account. Enter your credentials and log back into your account.

Now, try to join the Discord voice server to check if other users can pick up your voice already.

However, if you are still experiencing problems regarding your microphone and Discord, you can proceed to the following method below.

Method 2: Run Discord as an Administrator

For you to communicate with other users on Discord, it uses UDP (User Diagram Protocols) to send data to other users on your voice server. The Discord app on your computer might not have the correct privileges to access the UDP on your computer.

To bypass this, you can try running the app as an Administrator to grant it administrative privileges.

Step 1. On your Desktop, locate the Discord app icon.

Step 2. After that, right-click on it to open the pop-up menu.

Step 3. Click on Run as Administrator to launch the app as an Admin.

run as administrator discord

Now, join one of your Discord voice servers and try to say something to see if other users on the voice chat would pick up your message.

Method 3: Turn on the Automatic Input Sensitivity

In some cases, it is also possible that you accidentally turned off your microphone’s automatic input sensitivity option. The automatic input sensitivity is responsible for detecting voice from your microphone sent to the voice server.

If this is turned off, then your microphone will not work correctly.

To fix this, follow the steps below to guide you through the process.

Step 1. Open the Discord app on your computer. You can use the discord shortcut icon to do this.

Step 2. Next, click the Gear icon on Discord’s main screen to open the user app Settings. Here you will find the Input Volume Slider, allowing you to choose your preferred volume.

discord settings

Step 3. After that, select Voice & Video from the side menu. Here you can find the Voice Settings allowing you to choose options like Input Volume and Output Volume.

Step 4. Lastly, locate the Automatically Determine Input Sensitivity settings and make sure that it is turned on. The automatic input sensitivity settings allow Discord to detect your voice communications easily.

discord voice and video settings

Now, close the Settings and rejoin one of your voice chat servers to check if the issue with Discord not detecting the mic is already resolved.

However, if the problem continues and you cannot communicate using your microphone, you can try the following method.

Method 4: Select the Correct Input Device

Suppose your microphone works well on other applications and is only on Discord when it encounters problems. In that case, there’s a high chance you did not select the correct microphone on your computer as your input device on Discord. Tweaking your user app settings will help solve this problem.

To verify this, you can check it on Settings which is discussed in detail below.

Step 1: Launch the Discord application on your computer and click on the Gear icon to open the User app Settings.

discord settings

Step 2. After that, click on Voice & Video from the side menu. Here you’ll be able to choose the correct mic and headset or speakers from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Lastly, make sure that Discord uses your current headphones as the Input Device.

discord input settings

Now, close the Settings and try to join a voice chat server. When you are sure you are using the correct mic and not the wrong device, you should not be experiencing this issue on Discord again.

Method 5: Disable Exclusive Mode

Some applications on Windows are designed to take exclusive control over audio devices installed on your computer. This can cause problems as other applications running on Windows can restrict Discord from accessing your microphone.

You should leave the Exclusive Mode settings on Windows disabled to fix this.

Step 1. Press Windows Key + S on your computer and search for Change System Sounds.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to launch Settings.

change system sounds

Step 3. Now, go to the Recording tab and click the microphone you currently use.

Step 4. Next, click on the Properties button.

microphone properties

Step 5. Lastly, go to the Advanced tab and make sure that the settings under Exclusive Mode are unchecked, then click Apply to save the changes.

exclusive control to mic

After disabling exclusive mode on your computer, open Discord and check if your microphone is working correctly when joining voice chat servers.

On the other hand, if the issue with Discord not detecting the mic continues, you can proceed to the sixth method below to try and fix the problem.

Method 6: Disable QoS on Discord

While this option improves the Discord application’s performance and reduces voice chat latency, some ISP (Internet Service Providers) may misbehave and encounter problems with your internet connection, as stated in the note below the QoS Settings on Discord.

In this case, you should leave this option disabled to avoid problems in the future.

Step 1. On your computer, launch the Discord app.

Step 2. Next, click on the Gear icon on Discord to launch the User Settings.

discord settings

Step 3. After that, go to Voice & Video tab on the side menu.

Step 4. Lastly, please scroll down, find the QoS Settings section on Discord’s Settings, and ensure it is disabled.

enable qos in discord

Now, go back to Discord and try to join one of your voice chat servers to check if the issue with Discord not detecting the mic is already fixed.

However, if you still have problems with the app, you can try changing the Privacy Settings on Windows to try and fix the issue.

Method 7: Change Privacy Settings

Fix the Discord mic issue by changing the privacy settings. Be sure to verify if you allowed the app to access your microphone. You can do this by going to your system’s privacy settings which are discussed in detail below.

Step 1. Use your mouse or keyboard button on your computer, press Windows Key + S, and search for Privacy Settings.

Step 2. After that, click on Open to launch the Privacy Settings.

privacy settings

Step 3. Now, on the side menu, scroll down and find the Microphone tab.

Step 4: Ensure the Allow Apps to Access Your Mic settings are turned on.

microphone privacy

Next, after verifying that the Discord app is allowed to access your microphone. You can go back to the app and try to join a voice chat server to confirm if the Discord issue is already resolved.

Method 8: Reset Voice Settings Option

You can reset voice settings options to fix the issue with Discord not detecting a mic on your computer is to reset the voice settings of Discord back to default. You may have changed some of its settings during use which causes the issue on Discord.

To ensure that Discord runs on the default settings set by developers, you can check out the steps below to guide you through the process.

Step 1. On your computer, click on the Discord Icon to open the app. Select the Gear icon to open User Settings.

discord settings

Step 2. Now, click on Voice & Video from the side menu inside Settings.

Step 3. After that, scroll down and find the Reset Voice Settings button.

discord reset voice settings

Step 4: Lastly, click Okay to reset the voice settings Discord.

Next, close the Settings menu and go back to the voice chat server to check if the problem with Discord not detecting the mic is already fixed.

Method 9: Change Mic Input Mode To Push To Talk

Sometimes your mic input mode can be the culprit for experiencing this issue. You can fix this by changing the input mode to Push To Talk. Push To Talk is a feature that will only send your comms when you press a specific key.

Sure, this can be a little inconvenient, but doing this may solve the audio-related issue. Once done, you can also reset your app settings again. You can find the change to the Push To Talk option in Settings and Voice and Video.

Method 10: Update Audio Driver

Discord users using the Discord desktop app may have an old audio device driver issue. An outdated or corrupted audio driver will sooner or later cause problems to your Discord experience. Therefore it is always a good practice to check your Windows settings to see if you are using the latest audio driver.

To update your audio driver manually, go to the manufacturer’s website of your audio card. Choose only the audio drivers that are compatible with your Windows OS.

If updating the audio driver did not fix Discord’s voice or video issues, you can try reinstalling the application on your computer or temporarily use Discord’s web app to continue your day-to-day tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I allow Discord to access my microphone?

In order to allow Discord microphone access, you will need to go into your settings and enable the option for microphone access. Once you have done this, Discord will be able to access your microphone, and you will be able to use it for voice chat and other features.

How do I access sound settings in Discord?

To access sound settings in Discord, you must open the user settings menu and select the “Voice & Video” option. From here, you can adjust your input and output devices and change your microphone and speaker settings. You can also modify your notification settings to control how and when you receive audio notifications from Discord.

Why is my discord mic test cutting out?

There are a few reasons your Discord mic might be cutting out. It could be a problem with your internet connection or an issue with Discord’s servers. It’s also possible that there’s a problem with your microphone itself. If using a headset, ensure the audio cable is properly plugged in. If you’re using a desktop microphone, check to see if it’s properly plugged into your computer.

How do you enable automatic input sensitivity in Discord?

To enable automatic input sensitivity in Discord, you’ll need to go into your settings and find the “Input Sensitivity” tab. Once in that tab, you’ll want to ensure that the “Automatic Input Sensitivity” setting is turned on. After that, you should be all set! Your Discord will automatically adjust its input sensitivity based on the current channel’s volume.

Conclusion: Effective Solutions for Discord Mic Detection Issues

In conclusion, encountering issues with Discord not detecting your mic can be frustrating, especially during crucial gaming sessions or team meetings. However, with a clear understanding of possible causes, you can effectively resolve the issue using the appropriate methods.

This guide has provided comprehensive solutions, from checking audio input settings to updating drivers and ensuring sufficient permissions for the app. By trying out these methods, you should be on your way toward an enjoyable and problem-free communication experience with Discord.

Remember, contacting Discord support is always a reliable option if all else fails. Keep the conversation going, and happy chatting!

Shayne Sherman
Meet the author

Shayne is an expert on all things Microsoft Windows and computer security. As a Windows user of over 30 years, he has been featured on Business Insider, Yahoo, Tech Republic, Hacker Noon, Techopedia, and many other publications. Aside from entertaining at his home theater, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his English bulldog, Fergie.