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My microphone isn't working!

User Self Diagnosis Guide

Bandaid Fix

This is a very simple and almost guarantee solution, but does not fix the original issue. This is helpful if you are using an Mic Array or a unsupported microphone.

  • Install Voicemod.
    • Virtual Audio Cable works as well, but require more steps to setup.
  • Open Voicemod & follow the setup instructions, select your microphone as the input device.
  • In SCP:SL navigate to Settings -> Audio -> Voice Chat Device and select the Voicemod Virtual Audio Device.

User Checklist

Use the following guide as a checklist for common causes & solutions

  • Make sure your voice chat input device is set to your proper microphone in SCP:SL Settings -> Audio
  • If you do not see your microphone as an option in game please follow below;
    • Press Windows key + R and enter control mmsys.cpl sounds ->click Enter⏎.
    • Navigate to the Recording tab, find your microphone and make sure its not disabled.
  • Exclusive Mode could be taking control over your microphone, please follow the steps below;
    • Press Windows key + R and enter control mmsys.cpl sounds ->click Enter⏎.
    • Navigate to the Recording tab, find your microphone -> right click -> properties
    • Open the Advanced tab and toggle "Allow applications to talk exclusive control of this device" off.
  • Another cause can be your microphones sample rate, please follow the steps below;
    • Make sure any applications that are using your microphone are closed, otherwise you will not be able to change the sample rate.
    • Press Windows key + R and enter control mmsys.cpl sounds ->click Enter⏎.
    • Navigate to the Recording tab, find your microphone -> right click -> properties
    • Open the Advanced tab and change Default Format to "48000 Hz"

Playerlog Diagnosis

Please check your playerlog for anything containing these keywords (CTRL + F), for example:

Screenshot 2025-04-11 184140.png

"Error initializing output device"/"Microphone failed to start recording"

Solution

Steps to Uninstall Microphone & Headset Audio Devices

  • Open Device Manager
    • Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
    • Alternatively, press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
  • Go to the top of device manager and under the view tab click "Show Hidden Devices"
  • Locate Audio Devices
    • Expand "Audio inputs and outputs".
    • Expand "Sound, video and game controllers".
  • Uninstall Relevant Devices for Microphone/Headset:
  • Right-click each entry related to the headset or microphone (e.g., "Headset Microphone," "Headphones (USB Audio Device)").
  • Select Uninstall device.
  • If prompted, check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" and click Uninstall.
  •  Ignore system audio devices (e.g., "Speakers (Realtek Audio)") unless they are confirmed to be part of the issue.
  • Restart the PC
    • Restart the computer to allow Windows to reinstall the drivers automatically.

After reboot

  • Set Default Audio Devices
    • Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound settings.
    • Under Output and Input, select the correct headset/microphone as the default device.
  • Disable Exclusive Control
    • In Sound settings, click More sound settings (right pane).
    • Go to the Recording tab, select the microphone, and click Properties.
    • Navigate to the Advanced tab and uncheck:
    • "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device"
  • Configure Steam Audio Settings

    • Open Steam > Settings > Voice.

    • Under Voice input device, select the correct microphone.

    • Under Voice output device, select the correct headset/speakers.

    • Set Voice Transmission type to Open Microphone

    • Set Voice Transmission Threshold to Off
    • Disable Automatic volume/gain control under advanced settings

"Unsupported file or audio format"

Solution

Navigate to "Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound"
Navigate further to "Recording"
If it contains something like "Mic Array" as default device, then this might be the issue.

Solution

  • Disable the Mic Array and enable the Microphone directly.
    • Mic Arrays are not supported
  • Install a virtual Audio Cable or Voicemod, and send the microphone sound through the Cable or Voicemod as Microphone input.
    • This "Cable output", can then be set in the game as Microphone.

The Attached Screenshot
This screenshot shows what you may expect to see if the user has an active array, and what to enable/disable.

resim.png

I still have issues!

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