Discord is among the most popular voice chat platforms for gaming, streaming, and online communities. However, many users face an issue where they can’t hear anyone on Discord, even when they see others talking in a voice channel.
Incorrect audio settings, muted options, hardware issues, or system conflicts can cause this problem. If your sound is not working on Discord, don’t worry—this guide covers all possible reasons and solutions to fix the issue quickly.
Common Causes of Audio Issues on Discord
- Incorrect input/output device selection – Your headphones or speakers may not be selected as the output device.
- Muted or deafened settings – You might have muted or deafened yourself, or the server admins may have done so.
- Volume settings are too low. The Discord volume mixer or individual user volume may be too low.
- Audio drivers or Windows/macOS sound settings – Outdated or misconfigured drivers can interfere with Discord’s audio.
- App conflicts – Other apps like Zoom, Skype, or OBS may block Discord’s sound.
Now, let’s go through the fixes step by step.
How to Fix Discord Audio Issues
Follow these step-by-step solutions to fix Discord sound problems and restore voice chat functionality.
Fix 1: Check and Set the Correct Output Device
An incorrect output device selection is one of the most common reasons for Discord's lack of sound. If Discord sends audio to the wrong speakers or headphones, you won't hear anything.
- Open Discord Settings (click the gear icon near your username).
- Go to Voice & Video.
- Under Output Device, select the correct headphones or speakers.
- Increase the Output Volume slider to make sure it's not too low.
- Test by joining a voice channel and asking someone to talk.
If you're using Bluetooth headphones, ensure they are correctly connected and selected as the output device.
Fix 2: Adjust Volume Settings in Windows or macOS
Sometimes, your operating system mutes Discord, making it seem like there’s no sound.
For Windows Users:
- Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
- Find Discord and make sure its volume is turned up.
- Check if your default playback device is set correctly by going to Sound Settings.
For Mac Users:
- Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound.
- Under Output, select the correct speakers or headphones.
- Make sure Mute is not enabled and that the volume is turned up.
Fix 3: Reset Discord’s Voice Settings
Resetting Discord’s Voice & Video settings can help if previous adjustments didn't work.
- Open Discord Settings.
- Go to Voice & Video.
- Scroll down and click Reset Voice Settings.
- Confirm the reset, then restart Discord.
This will return all voice settings to default, fixing any misconfigurations causing audio issues.
Fix 4: Enable or Disable Legacy Audio Subsystem
Some older or incompatible audio devices may not work correctly with Discord’s default settings. Switching to the Legacy Audio Subsystem can resolve this.
- Open Discord Settings > Voice & Video.
- Scroll to Audio Subsystem.
- Switch between Standard and Legacy.
- Restart Discord and test voice chat.
Fix 5: Check Individual User Volume Levels
If you can hear others in the voice channel except for one person, their volume settings might be too low.
- Right-click their username in the voice channel.
- Adjust the User Volume Slider to increase their volume.
- Ask them to check their microphone settings if their audio is not coming through.
Fix 6: Update Audio Drivers
For Windows Users:
- Right-click the Start Menu, select Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, Video & Game Controllers.
- Right-click your audio device and select Update Driver.
- Restart your computer after updating.
For Mac Users:
- Ensure that MacOS is up to date, as Apple includes audio driver updates with system updates.
Fix 7: Disable Exclusive Mode in Windows Audio Settings
Some apps block other programs from using audio devices. Disabling Exclusive Mode can prevent this from happening.
- Right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
- Select Sounds > Playback Tab.
- Click on your default audio device, then select Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab and uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
- Click Apply, then restart Discord.
Fix 8: Check Server and Channel Permissions
Sometimes, you can’t hear anyone in a specific Discord server or channel because of permission restrictions.
- Right-click the server name and select Server Settings.
- Go to Roles > Permissions.
- Ensure your role has enabled Connect, Speak, and Use Voice Activity.
- If you can’t hear people in a single channel, right-click the channel name, go to Edit Channel > Permissions, and check the settings.
Fix 9: Run Discord as Administrator
Running Discord with administrator privileges can fix audio permission issues caused by Windows.
- Close Discord completely.
- Right-click the Discord shortcut on your desktop.
- Select Run as Administrator.
- Check if your sound works correctly.
Fix 10: Reinstall Discord
If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling Discord can fix corrupted settings or software conflicts.
- Uninstall Discord from your system.
- Restart your PC or Mac.
- Download the latest version from discord.com and install it.
- Log in and test your voice chat.
Preventing Future Audio Problems
To avoid Discord voice chat issues in the future, follow these tips:
- Keep your audio drivers updated regularly.
- Check Discord’s settings after updates, as they may reset audio configurations.
- Avoid running multiple voice apps (Zoom, Skype, or OBS) while using Discord.
- Use wired headphones instead of Bluetooth to prevent connection drops.
Conclusion
If you can’t hear anyone on Discord, the issue is usually caused by incorrect audio settings, system conflicts, or device problems. Following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix your Discord sound issues and restore explicit voice chat.
Try these fixes, and let us know which one worked for you! Share this guide with friends who might need help with Discord voice chat!