Imagine the frustration you would feel if you could not join your friends in a voice call only because Discord cannot access your mic no matter how you try!
As Discord is my primary communication platform, I can relate to your situation with me. I often faced this inconvenience and spent hours trying to find the reasons behind it.
Finally, I was able to point out the possible issues and their solutions.
So, why is Discord not working with the audio interface?
Don’t worry; just forget this technical gibberish and follow my instructions throughout the post to find and resolve Discord not working with the audio interface.
How to Fix Discord Microphone Not Working with Audio Interface
As I explained why Discord is not working with the audio interface, I think now you can understand that this issue can arise from hardware and software perspectives.
So, you have to look for both of them to find the reason for your inconvenience. Once you find them, just apply the solutions I’ve listed below to solve your problem.
Make sure to check for all of the reasons, as there might be multiple causes if you’re having trouble with audio input and output while using Discord.
Here are the solutions to fix Discord mic not working with the audio interface:
1. Clear Discord Cache
I explained the inconvenience caused by unwanted residual cache files, which interrupt Discord from running smoothly.
Now, I’ll show you how to clear Discord cache files to avoid conflict in accessing the audio interface.
Follow the steps below to clear residual Discord cache files:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Select all Discord processes and click on End Task.
- Close the window.
- Press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type %appdata%\discord.
- Delete Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache.
- Close the window and open the Recycle bin.
- Delete the folders again from the recycle bin.
Now rerun the Discord app and see if the issue is solved. If the interface isn’t working properly yet, move on to the next fix.
2. Close Communication Softwares Except for Discord
You’ve read that concurrent communication conflicts with each other and blocks each other’s access to the audio interface.
So, if you want to avoid Discord not working with the audio interface, close all other communication apps other than Discord. It’ll ensure only Discord’s access to the audio interface.
Follow these steps to close other softwares that require audio interface access:
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select Task Manager.
- Search for processes like Discord, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram.
- Select them and click End Task.
- Close the window and rerun Discord.
If everything else is alright, you won’t have any problem using the audio interface in Discord.
3. Update Audio Drivers
Drivers are essential components to keep your device functioning. Check for the latest drivers on your manufacturer’s website. Here’s how to fix your issue by downloading and installing the drivers to avoid any problems while running the components.
Follow these steps to update your audio drivers:
- Download Realtek’s latest driver.
- Open the file by double-clicking on it.
- Follow the instructions on the window to finish the installation process.
- Right-click on the audio icon at the taskbar to enable the driver.
- Select Sounds.
- Click on Recording.
- Select Enable.
- Click Apply and then Ok.
- Restart your computer after the driver is installed.
- Open the Discord app and check if the issue is solved.
Updating the driver troubleshoots the audio interface issue for most users. Install the latest available drivers to be able to fix the audio input. Your audio device properties will also be benefitted from this.
4. Change Audio Port and Accessories
I told you the consequence of using the audio port carelessly. So, to overcome the audio interface issue with Discord, change your current audio plugging port. Moreover, it would be best if you always kept your audio and USB ports clean.
There are at least two audio ports on the latest motherboards. You can switch to the other one if one of them is malfunctioning.
If you’re using a laptop, I recommend you switch to Bluetooth devices. There are a lot of brands to choose from for buying Bluetooth headphones. Select a budget and choose your preferred model from online stores like Amazon.
It’ll save your ports from wrecking, make sure everything is working fine, and solve your issues with Discord not working with the audio interface. Changing your mic might also solve the problem for you.
5. Reset Discord Audio Setting
You can try resetting the sound settings to fix the problem you are having with using an audio interface.
Follow the steps below to reset audio settings:
- Open the Discord
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Voice and Video.
- Scroll down and click on Reset Voice Settings.
- Click Okay to reset voice settings.
You have to disable the QoS (Quality of Service) settings. It might interfere with the audio input process of the Discord app and restrict you from using the microphone.
Just follow these steps to do so:
- Open the Discord app and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Voice and Video
- Toggle off Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority.
- Rerun the Discord app and check if the audio interface issue is solved.
Again, If your issue still appears, you can try disabling advanced voice activity as it malfunctions, turning on and off your mic frequently. Follow these steps to turn off the Advanced voice activity:
- Open the Discord
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down to Voice and Video.
- Toggle off Advanced Voice Activity.
Now, rerun the Discord app and check your sound and voice inputs. After going through these steps, see if that fixes your issue.
If you want to select the appropriate input mic, follow the same process: Voice and Video>Input devices>Choose your preferred device.
Check whether your problem remains or not. If yes, go for the next method to fix.
6. Run Discord As An Administrator
Sometimes Discord app struggles to run at startup, and some processes might get blocked by the system optimizer. So, in that case, you have to close the Discord app and rerun it as an administrator.
Follow these steps to run the Discord app as an administrator:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Select processes of Discord and click End Task.
- Right-click on the Discord shortcut and select Run as administrator.
Now Discord’s configuration can run its processes under administrator privileges and will solve the audio interface problem.
7. Update Discord App
I hope you understand the disadvantages of using a backdated Discord app. So, to avoid problems like audio interface, RTC connecting, and not opening links, you have to install the updated Discord app.
If there’s an update, the Discord app will ask you automatically for your permission to install it. Otherwise, go to Discord’s official website and download the latest version from there.
Follow the instructions after double-clicking the downloaded file to update the Discord app.
Why is my Discord not detecting your mic?
Discord needs microphone access to hook you up in a voice chat. But if it doesn’t have the microphone access permission, there is an interruption, like a faulty audio port, overlapping mic access, and backdated drivers. Any of it can block Discord from picking up your mic.
If you want to check how your own voice sounds to others, you can do so within Voice and Video settings in Discord.
Discord is a communication platform, and for this purpose, it needs to access your input sound devices when you make a voice call so that your voice can be transmitted over the internet. Problems with your mic or internet connection can cause you to sound distorted.
Discord runs various processes in the background to ensure you a flawless voice call. It is dependent on several components of your PC. Input device like the microphone is one of them.
The app must go through various steps to access your devices. If everything is alright, only then can the devices be used properly. So, let’s discuss these background processes that might mess up your input device’s settings for the Discord app.
Here are the reasons that could result in the Discord app not working with the audio interface:
Residual Discord Cache Files
You probably noticed that Discord creates small temporary files to complete small background tasks like taking notes in class.
Although these cache files are critical for running Discord properly, they sometimes pile up as junk files after their processes are finished. They then conflict with newer cache files and interrupt new Discord processes.
Audio interface problems can arise from these conflicting files until they are appropriately cleaned. They’ll occupy microphone access until they are cleaned to accommodate new cache files.
Concurrent Input Device Access
If you’re running two app with input device access simultaneously, you’ll face the Discord audio interface problem.
Additional components of your PC, like a webcam and microphone, can only accommodate one software access at a time. Running two of them concurrently will block access to one of them.
Communication app like Discord, WhatsApp, and Messenger require continuous access to input devices. If you run them alongside, you’ll face audio interface issues like the one we’re discussing.
Backdated Audio Driver
Your audio interface won’t work properly and will give you a hard time if you haven’t updated them in a while.
Every component of your PC requires their respective drivers to function when needed. Drivers are the connection between your device’s CPU and the components. Without proper drivers installed, the components will malfunction, like an audio interface not working.
You need to check for updated drivers for your input devices and install them properly to avoid audio interface problems.
Faulty Audio Port Accessories
Sometimes, Discord’s not working with the audio interface sometimes is simply a faulty headphone or a loose audio port.
As a constant headphone user, I can assure you that if you plug and unplug your headphones like there’s no tomorrow, then they’ll wear off after a few days, and you’ll be left with a loose headphone port to work with.
You’ll face a continuous struggle to connect your phone properly to your pc, and with a slight movement, they can disconnect from your pc.
Inappropriate Discord Settings
Discord has several settings options to personalize your input device and microphone preferences.
You can customize them as your necessity. But, enabling the wrong option could result in malfunctioning input devices. Before setting up your audio devices and input methods, try to understand their consequences and requirements.
If you have the Push to Talk feature enabled, you’ll have to press the respective hotkey to activate and use your mic, or else you’ll find that your mic isn’t working in a call.
You can use the Echo Cancellation option to bring clarity to your voice’s sound quality. Moreover, Discord has a Noise suppression feature that might cause audio to muffle or garble while you’re recording, streaming, or chatting.
Again, you might be muted in a server where your voice input won’t work. You have to ask a moderator to unmute you for others to hear you again.
Inability to Run Discord’s Process
Issues may arise while running two communication apps concurrently, as microphone access and malfunction shall be a conflict. Also, when Discord’s background process conflicts with any other app, it’ll malfunction, and some processes will be terminated, like microphone usage.
If you run the Discord app properly in the first place, you can avoid facing this type of problem, which I’ll show you later.
Outdated Discord App
An outdated Discord app will malfunction and cause various issues like audio interface inaccessibility, RTC connecting issue, etc.
An outdated app cannot cope with the latest offerings from Discord admins, and you cannot experience its full potential.
FAQ
Question: How do you fix audio input on Discord?
Answer: Try updating your audio drivers and the Discord app to fix audio input on Discord. Also, check if microphone access permission is enabled for Discord. Sometimes running the Discord app with administrator privilegemakes sure that the microphone works properly at high and low volumes.
Question: Why is my Discord not picking up my mic?
Answer: If Discord doesn’t have permission to access your microphone, it’ll not pick up any audio. Check if your mic is functional and it’s connected to your devices. Also, change input devices in Discord settings to your current microphone.
Final Thoughts
I’ve saved you the time of searching for the solution to Discord not working with the audio interface and listed all the possible reasons with along their solutions regarding this issue.
Read the whole post before applying the solutions. Comment below if you’ve any questions or trouble applying the solutions. Our experts will try to answer any of your queries about Discord’s audio interface issue.
