How to Fix Valorant Voice Chat

Valorant Voice Chat Not Working? Here Are 6 Easy Fixes

There is nothing quite as frustrating in Valorant as calling out an enemy Jett flanking your team, only to realize nobody heard a word you said. In a tactical shooter where communication is just as important as your aim, a broken microphone can easily cost you the round.

If your in-game voice chat has suddenly stopped working, don't panic. You usually don't need to reinstall the entire game to get your comms back online. Below, we’ve put together a step-by-step troubleshooting guide. Just work your way down the list until your teammates can hear you again.

Speaking of communication, having a working mic actually opens up a lot of doors for improving your gameplay. For example, if you're feeling stuck in your current rank, you might consider a Valorant boost to help you get over the hump. But instead of just handing your account over to someone else, you can play alongside a high-level player by opting for a duo queue setup. With your voice chat finally working, this specific type of Valorant boosting becomes a massive learning opportunity. Your duo partner can give you real-time advice, point out positioning mistakes, and share insider tips over game comms to help you genuinely improve your own skills while you climb the ranks.

Ready to get your mic fixed? Let’s dive into the solutions.

1. Double-Check Windows Sound Settings

Sometimes Windows likes to switch your default audio devices after an update or when you plug in a new device—meaning your game might be trying to pull audio from your webcam instead of your headset.

• Right-click the little speaker icon on your Windows taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
• Look at the Output section and make sure your gaming headset or speakers are selected.
• Scroll down to the Input section and verify that your actual microphone is the active device.
• Boot up Valorant and run a quick mic test in the settings. If it’s still dead silent, keep reading.

2. Allow Desktop Apps to Access Your Mic

Windows has a built-in privacy feature that can literally block games from using your hardware. If this setting got toggled off, Valorant won’t be able to hear you no matter what you do in the game menus.

• Hit the Windows key and click the gear icon to open your Settings.
• Click on Privacy.
• On the left-hand sidebar, scroll down to Microphone.
• Look for the section labeled Allow desktop apps to access your microphone and make sure the switch is toggled On.

3. Update Your Audio Drivers

Outdated drivers are the silent killer of gaming peripherals. If you can’t remember the last time you updated your hardware, this is a highly likely culprit.

The easiest way to do this automatically is through Windows. Hit your Start button, type Device Manager, and hit Enter. Expand the Audio inputs and outputs dropdown, right-click your microphone, and select Update driver.

Pro Tip: For the absolute best results, bypass Windows and go directly to your headset manufacturer’s website (like Logitech, Razer, or HyperX) to download their latest specific audio software. Make sure to restart your PC after installing any new drivers!

4. Force Valorant to Use the Right Audio Settings

Sometimes you shouldn't trust the game to perfectly auto-detect your gear. Forcing Valorant to use your specific microphone often clears up the issue instantly.

Open Valorant and click the gear icon in the top right to open your Settings. Navigate to the Audio tab, then click Voice Chat. Change the Output Device and Input Device from Default System Device to the exact name of your headset and microphone. Boost your Incoming Volume and Mic Volume sliders to at least 50% so you know the audio isn't just too quiet to hear. Double-check that both Party Voice Chat and Team Voice Chat are toggled On.

5. Run Valorant as Administrator

Occasionally, Riot Vanguard (the anti-cheat) or the game client itself just needs elevated permissions to properly interact with your microphone.

• Close the game entirely.
• Search for Valorant in your Windows search bar, right-click the app, and select Open file location.
• Right-click the Valorant shortcut and hit Properties.
• Click over to the Compatibility tab.
• Check the box that says "Run this program as an administrator," then hit "Apply" and "OK."

6. Perform a Clean Boot

If absolutely nothing else has worked, another background application—like recording software, a voice changer, or an overlay—might be hijacking your microphone and blocking Valorant from using it. A clean boot will isolate the issue.

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
• Type msconfig and hit Enter.
• Go to the Services tab. Very important: Check the box at the bottom that says "Hide all Microsoft services" so you don't accidentally break Windows.
• Click Disable all.
• Now, scroll through the list until you find vcg (this is Riot Vanguard). Check its box so it stays active—otherwise, Valorant won't launch at all.
• Next, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• Right-click and disable all the unnecessary startup programs on this list.
• Close Task Manager, click Apply on your System Configuration window, and restart your PC.

Once your computer boots back up, launch Valorant. With no other apps fighting for control of your audio, your voice chat should be fully functional, leaving you ready to make those game-winning callouts in your next competitive match.

Now you're ready to queue up and start calling the shots before the Act ends!

 

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