My microphone isn't working! (to do)

just add onto this file since this is an ongoing issue

If these errors show in the playerlog:

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.
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.
Install a virtual Audio Cable, and send Microphone sound through the Cable 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.