How to Fix Can’t Hear Anyone on Discord?

By Kevin ArrowsUpdated on May 7, 2024

Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

If you’re unable to hear your friends on Discord, rest assured that this is a relatively common issue, typically coming from Discord’s internal audio settings or from those within Windows itself. Should you notice a green outline around a user’s icon, it indicates their audio is being transmitted, though you’re unable to hear it for some reason.

We’ve identified several potential causes for this audio issue and detailed them below:

Discord Muted in Volume Mixer – It’s possible that Discord is muted within the volume mixer. Verify that this is not the case by checking your volume mixer settings.
Incompatible Sound Driver – In the event that you’ve only just installed Discord and are facing audio issues, examine the audio driver first as it might be outdated or incompatible with the latest version of Discord.
Incorrect Output Device Selected – The issue might be occurring because the incorrect output device is selected in Discord’s settings. Make sure you inspect the voice and video settings to correct this.
Improper Discord Voice Settings – Certain enabled features within Discord’s voice settings might disrupt audio transmission. Resetting these settings to their defaults could help resolve the problem.

On This Page

1. Use the Legacy Audio Subsystem

Using the Legacy Audio Subsystem within Discord is similar to offering older technology a lifeline for compatibility. When newer updates don’t go well with your hardware or drivers, this setting can bridge the gap, allowing Discord to communicate with your audio setup using a previous, more universally compatible system. This switch can often restore audio functionality where modern settings fail to deliver.

Open Discord and open Settings.
Select Voice & Video from the sidebar.
Scroll down to the Audio Subsystem area and select Legacy.
Test to see if the audio issue is resolved.

2. Reset Voice Settings

Resetting voice settings clears any custom configurations that might be causing the sound issue. When you reset these settings, Discord reverts to its default state, often resolving conflicts or errors within the audio setup that may have been accidentally introduced. This fresh start can eliminate glitches related to input or output devices, making sure a smooth communication experience once again.

Open Discord and proceed to Settings.
Click on Voice and Video in the sidebar.
Scroll to the bottom and select Reset Voice Settings.
Resetting the Voice Settings
After resetting, verify if the audio issue persists.

3. Check Volume Mixer

This utility allows you to individually manage the audio output of each application on your system. There might be instances where Discord is unintentionally muted or its volume set to an inaudible level directly within the mixer. By making sure Discord’s output is active and audible here, you eliminate one of the simplest yet often overlooked reasons behind sound issues.

Right-click the speaker icon and select Open Volume Mixer.
Look for the Discord slider. If you see a red circle icon over the speaker, then Discord is muted. Click to unmute.
Enabling Discord Sound From Volume Mixer

4. Use the Web Version Instead of the Application

If the problem continues, consider switching to the web version of Discord. When using the web version of Discord, you bypass any persistent configuration issues or potentially corrupted files within the desktop application. As the web version operates differently, utilizing your browser’s audio handling, it can offer a quick and hassle-free workaround to sound obstacles you’re experiencing in the app.

Should the issue not occur while using the browser version, the problem could be related to a specific sound setting or an outdated audio driver within the application.

5. Set the Speaker as the Default Communication Device

This useful adjustment within your sound settings directs your PC to utilize these speakers for all communication-related audio. Therefore, if Discord has been using another audio output by default, this change will make sure that all sound from voice chats gets piped directly and exclusively to the speakers you actually want to use.

It’s a simple fix that can clear up any confusion your computer might have about where to send Discord’s audio output.

Right-click on the speaker icon and choose Sounds.
Open Sounds Settings
Select the Playback tab.
Find and right-click on your speaker to select Set As Default Communication Device.
Setting Speaker As Default
Click Apply, followed by OK.

6. Update Audio Driver

Audio drivers facilitate communication between your computer’s operating system and its sound hardware. If these drivers are outdated, this communication may become disrupted, leading to potential sound issues in applications like Discord. By updating the driver, you can ensure that the hardware is operating at full capacity with improved compatibility and fewer bugs, thus potentially resolving any audio issues you’re experiencing.

7. Use the Correct Output Device

When Discord sends audio signals out, if they’re directed to an incorrect device, like a headset you’re not wearing or a secondary monitor with no speakers, you won’t hear a thing. By selecting the appropriate speaker or headphones in the settings, you’re basically guiding the audio to your ears, thus solving the mystery of the missing sound.

Go to the Discord settings and navigate to Voice and Video.
Open the dropdown for the output device.
Choose your Speaker Device and verify if the issue has been fixed.
Selecting Actual Speaker

8. Change Server Region

Changing the server region can fix issues related to network latency, commonly known as ping. High latency can disrupt the smooth flow of voice data, leading to you not hearing your friends. By selecting a server region closer to your geographical location, or one that is performing better, you could experience a more stable connection and resolve the audio issues.

To modify the server region for the entire server, open the server settings and choose a different region.
For a group call, click on the region dropdown and select an alternate region.
Selecting a Different Server
Check if changing the region resolves the audio issue.

9. Reinstall Discord

Reinstallation cleans any potentially corrupt data that could be causing the sound malfunctions. By removing and then installing the latest version, you make sure that Discord runs on a clean slate with updated files, free from previous glitches or conflicts.

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type appwiz.cpl and hit OK.
Navigating to Control Panel Programs & Features
Find Discord in the list, right-click it, and select Uninstall.
Uninstalling Discord
After uninstallation, visit Discord’s official website to download and install the latest version of the application.

Comments

115

Försökt Vara Opartisk Mar 25, 2019

Make sure to uninstall nVidia audio drivers that messes everything up

Shane Warren Author Sep 14, 2019

Thank you for sharing your solution

Spirit Apr 29, 2019

Yep this worked, thanks.

sanzoskitten Jul 24, 2019

Updated Discord and this setting doesn’t exist for me so no longer a fix

Shane Warren Author Jul 26, 2019

If Realtek drivers are installed disabled them and let Windows use its own. If that doesn’t work, open “devmgmt.msc” in run prompt and navigate to audio drivers, right-click on any one and select uninstall. After that, click on the “scan for hardware Changes” button on the top. Do this step for every driver in the Audio list.

Darian Hill Jul 26, 2019

didnt work

Shane Warren Author Jul 26, 2019

Supa Jul 30, 2019

Legacy Audio fixed it for me. THanks.

DexAimz Aug 19, 2019

if it isn’t working try opening your volume mixer and turn up discord

true Feb 12, 2020

thx fam, i had discord muted entirely for some reason

tuamae Aug 18, 2021

same

Alexander ZInoni Apr 3, 2020

Thanks man

Nico Di Feo Apr 8, 2020

Jesus f* christ. Thank you so much. I spend hours LOL

DexAimz May 25, 2020

np man glad I could help

Gwalchgwynn Jun 7, 2020

Holy Hell, thank you! Feel like an idiot. That should be Number 1 on Kevin’s list!

aryan rokade Jun 12, 2020

man thnks its been 2 days i was facing this problem……. thnks a lot……….
may all your wishes come true bro

Joel Trigoura Jul 13, 2022

wow im emberassed

Josh Oct 24, 2019

Sadly didn’t work. For some reason I have an account but I can’t use it

Shane Warren Author Oct 29, 2019

Create a new account and test with that.

desi Dec 5, 2019

Worked Bro Thanks….

james masters Dec 11, 2019

i can barely hear my friedns on discord and i have everything turned up on my discord

Shane Warren Author Dec 12, 2019

What Headphones are you using, If it the Arctis or a headphone that includes the “Game/Chat” feature, check if you have balanced the volume of Game and the Chat.

Asmodeus .q Dec 15, 2019

i need to get a music bot inside a roomget out and get in again so i can speak and hear my friends

Shane Warren Author Dec 18, 2019

That seems like a weird glitch. Have you already tried reinstalling?

Asmodeus .q Apr 5, 2020

i think its connected somehow to my internet provider.
if i use my phone’s hotspot the problem will still be their.
( i use my phone hotspot cuz the connection is faster )

if i use anything else for conncetion, discord will work normally.

btw the provider’s name is “Mobily” from SA.

Shane Warren Author Apr 10, 2020

Yes it is definitely related to the internet connection then.

Asmodeus .q Apr 18, 2020

So…, no solutions ?

Shane Warren Author Apr 21, 2020

Ohh, i though you were already using a different internet connection, while the hotspot is connected, try changing the DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 . Also, try to perform an dns flush and an ip reset.

Spangita B Dec 26, 2019

my friend said that he can hear me when talking through the mic but i cant hear him. is there any settings i need to change or is there any for him to change. my headsets is the hp omen 800

Shane Warren Author Dec 29, 2019

Check your Sound Settings in Windows’ Settings and verify that the correct devices are selected as input and output.

Bill Hiers Feb 5, 2020

My Discord doesn’t have the Legacy Audio Subsystem option. Only something called Opus.

Shane Warren Author Feb 8, 2020

Did u check under the advanced tab?

Bill Hiers Feb 10, 2020

Yes.

Shane Warren Author Feb 12, 2020

its been moved
“Check under the “Audio subsystem” below which would be a dropdown labelled as “Standard” click on the dropdown and select “Legacy”.”

Shane Warren Author Feb 8, 2020

Check under the “Audio subsystem” below which would be a dropdown labelled as “Standard” click on the dropdown and select “Legacy”.

.Ergenberry Mar 3, 2020

I don’t have anything like Legacy and my friends can hear me, but I can’t hear them.

Shane Warren Author Mar 4, 2020

Check under the “Audio subsystem” below which would be a dropdown labelled as “Standard” click on the dropdown and select “Legacy”.” Check if you can find legacy here.

unknown Apr 6, 2020

I used the web version because my laptop can’t run discord and I can’t hear my friend talking while they can hear mine

Shane Warren Author Apr 10, 2020

Check the volume mixer and see if your browser is turned up

WeabooshateFrank Apr 7, 2020

If nothing has worked even after all these instructions, I fixed it by turning the microphone off default and back to my laptop’s built in microphone. If your headset doesn’t have a microphone you may have to change that setting.

dav Apr 7, 2020

if none of this works install it onto the computer instead of using the website

Flerp Apr 29, 2020

Yeah I had to do that

Apples209 Apr 16, 2020

My audio works when i turn up mixer but not w my ear buds, i have to play it our loud. What should i do?

Shane Warren Author Apr 17, 2020

Check if it works in the web version. Also, have you tried selecting your ear buds as your default device?

coolguyiguess Apr 16, 2020

it did not work

Shane Warren Author Apr 16, 2020

Try this:
If Realtek drivers are installed disabled them and let Windows use its own. If that doesn’t work, open “devmgmt.msc” in run prompt and navigate to audio drivers, right-click on any one and select uninstall. After that, click on the “scan for hardware Changes” button on the top. Do this step for every driver in the Audio list.

MMelody87 May 11, 2020

None of these work. I’m able to hear everybody except one person on Discord, and unfortunately I talk to her for hours daily because of quarantine. I don’t know what happened. It shows that she’s talking and she can hear me, but I can’t hear her. Literally every other person that I’ve talked to via call or vc on Discord, I can hear.

Shane Warren Author May 17, 2020

Right-click on their name and check if the “Mute” box isn’t checked. Also, right-click on their name in the server list and push their slider all the way up.

kanimou May 19, 2020

change the server region, thats how i fixed it

Shane Warren Author May 22, 2020

Added, thank you for sharing.

fluff the puff Jun 3, 2020

it wont work

Shane Warren Author Jun 5, 2020

Press “Windows’ + “I” and select “Privacy”.
Select “Microphone” and then click on the “Allow Apps to Access Microphone” Toggle to turn it on.
Also, check if the toggle is turned on for Discord and Chrome.

jonakiller Jun 5, 2020

i cant hear any discord nothin

Shane Warren Author Jun 6, 2020

Check your Volume mixer and see if discord is turned down.

bing bong Jun 12, 2020

when i do that i cant press anything on discord
and i cant go in sound settings to fix it

Shane Warren Author Jun 13, 2020

Do what? Do you get any particular error while in the sound settings?

Speedster Jun 28, 2020

Should also have an answer to missing voices. Sound works in my app as long as no voice. Brower works. Probably related ti the Linux handling (pulseaudio vs native drivers. Won’t borther you too much, it works in 2+ browsers.

Big Shaq Jul 4, 2020

All of the sounds in the app work fine it is just the voices on calls. I have tried everything in this article and also have looked through the comments. The website works fine but I would prefer to use the app if I can figure out how it works. Any ideas?

Shane Warren Author Jul 4, 2020

Have you already tried reinstalling? if not, uninstall the app, delete the temporary files on your computer using disk cleanup tool and then install it again. check if it works.

Mostafa Ehab Jul 18, 2020

Any one help when I open discord I can hear my friends when I go to game screen I can’t hear any one

Shane Warren Author Jul 20, 2020

Try toggling your in-game overlay and check if it is fixed.

Mfakhribagaskara Jul 22, 2020

Excuse me but why does it only work on the web version for me?

Shane Warren Author Jul 23, 2020

There might be an issue with your application install or background applications. Boot into the clean mode and reinstall Discord. Check if the app works there and then slowly start enabling the background applications and check which ones makes the issue come back.

xKobolt Oct 4, 2020

I have figured a problem which might be similar to yours, on the web version the output option of my mic appears but not in the application itself. I don’t know how to fix it from there though

Djin Jul 25, 2020

For me, in other server i can hear the sound but in my server it just silent. I’m using the web version discord

Shane Warren Author Jul 26, 2020

Try recreating the server and check if that fixes the issue, Also, have you setup moderation on the server?

dash Aug 5, 2020

the first solution helped, ty!

creepersaur Aug 12, 2020

NOTHING IS WORKING I TRIED EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! 🙁

Shane Warren Author Aug 13, 2020

Try reinstalling your Audio Drivers, Check if Discord has been muted from the volume tray. Make sure that “Allow Exclusive Control” is turned off from the Audio Playback properties of the headphones that you are using.

Damn Cool Movies Aug 21, 2020

I wanna thank you Kevin Arrows for fixing my problem!

Stef Sep 18, 2020

Hey, When I join voice calls I can hear people for like 3 seconds then I can’t hear them anymore, I tried Mixer, shredding discord, then reinstalling it, I’ve tried the legacy subsystem I’ve tried different earbuds, and I restarted my pc, Nothing is working??!?!? Can someone help me asap?!?!

Muhammad Zubyan Author Sep 20, 2020

Try going into Voice Settings> Advanced > Reset Voice Settings. If that doesn’t work, go back into advanced and turn off the high packet priority option. If that doesn’t work try changing your MTU (Don’t change the router’s MTU it can cause problems) I recommend you set it to 1492 for testing ifit works contact your ISP and explain him the issue.

Potato Crazy :D Nov 3, 2021

I have this problem, you fix it?

Muhammad Zubyan Author Nov 8, 2021

Must be server issue, have you tried the fixes suggested above yet?

george Oct 1, 2020

all that happens is one red bar appears and no one can hear me but when i go on browser version i get three green bars and everyone can hear me perfectly

Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 1, 2020

Can you tell me what that red bar says exactly or provide me a screenshot? Also, Try changing the mic to your default one by going to “Discord Settings > Voice & Video > Input Device”.

Spxctrxm Oct 17, 2020

still not working…

Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 18, 2020

Can you please verify that the Discord isn’t muted from the Audio mixer? Also, I suggest you to try running discord on the browser if the browser version works the discord client needs to be repaired for repairing the client you will need to properly reinstall discord again you have to uninstall it from the root folders.Here is how you can do that:-1. Open Task Manager and End all the Discord Instances.
2. Open Run, Type “%AppData%/Discord” and press Enter. Once you are in Discord Folder delete it.
3. Open Run again Type “%LocalAppData%/Discord”. Now Delete this folder as well.
4. Restart your system
5. Now Reinstall Discord via this link: https://discord.com/downloadIf this method doesn’t work for you try testing your Screenshare on “Discord Canary” or “Discord PTB” Hope this helps!Let us know if it worked for you or not!

Spxctrxm Jan 24, 2021

Letsssssss gooooooo thx man

nadira begum Dec 26, 2020

you can check ur output volume and see if its on mute, if it is turn it up

Bob Jan 6, 2021

Nothing worked for me and I tried everything and all I ever wanted was to call my friends

Muhammad Zubyan Author Jan 6, 2021

Are you on Discord Client? or using Browser?

mysteria Jan 9, 2021

i cant hear music in a vc but others can

Muhammad Zubyan Author Jan 9, 2021

Which bot do you use to hear music? Check if you have muted the bot.

Irina Irinuca Jan 18, 2021

So it’s just the call that is not working for me. I can hear discord notifications going off and also the little sound it makes when I join a voice chat but I can’t hear anyone in the call. I tried everything… i dont know what to do

Muhammad Zubyan Author Jan 19, 2021

I suggest you try using the Web Version of discord to test if everything is working fine. If yes then you can try to properly reinstall discord.

Here is how you can do that:-

1. Open Task Manager and End all the Discord Instances.
2. Open Run, Type “%AppData%/Discord” and press Enter. Once you are in the Discord Folder delete it.
3. Open Run again Type “%LocalAppData%/Discord”. Now Delete this folder as well.
4. Restart your system
5. Now Reinstall Discord via this link: https://discord.com/download

If this method doesn’t work for you try testing your Screenshare on “Discord Canary” or “Discord PTB” Hope this helps!

Let us know if it worked for you or not!

daniel jacobs May 26, 2021

i did this and it still doesnt work, web version does, and tried discord PTB

hafsa hussain Mar 2, 2021

wont work ,i tried everything

Muhammad Zubyan Author Mar 2, 2021

I suggest you try using the Web Version of discord to test if everything is working fine. If yes then you can try to properly reinstall discord.

Here is how you can do that:-

If this method doesn’t work for you try testing your Screenshare on “Discord Canary” or “Discord PTB” Hope this helps!

Let us know if it worked for you or not!

Dinkaii Mar 22, 2021

I NEED HELP PLZ

Muhammad Zubyan Author Mar 22, 2021

Have you tried the instructions I provided?

Hugo Valdez Apr 15, 2021

I have tried everything and it still hasn’t worked I can hear notifications and such on discord but just not the people themselves.

Muhammad Zubyan Author Apr 16, 2021

Have you tried downloading the Discord PTB version?

Tordo May 25, 2021

have you tried un-deafening yourself?

Avdb 033 Aug 14, 2021

still doesn’t work for me

Muhammad Zubyan Author Aug 14, 2021

Can you check to see if it works for you on browser?

Otto Suzuki Mar 7, 2021

I tried many ways related to the audio setting it never worked until i changed the server region Lmao. Thank you so much i dont get how the server region solves the problem but it did.

Anony May 23, 2021

Hi, i tried those things above + ur guide to properly reinstall discord but i still can’t hear anything in voice chat
But yea my web version is working, is this some kind of bug ?

Muhammad Zubyan Author May 24, 2021

Try downloading the Discord PTB: https://sudo.to/2n9

asas May 25, 2021

if it isnt working you can also try to go to properties of output/input devices anc change the “default format” in the “Advanced” section

Reyhan Naufal May 26, 2021

Go to voice & video -> scroll down until “Audio subsystem” select “experimental”

alan richardson Oct 16, 2021

none of the methods worked, i even deleted it completely and still nothing

Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 16, 2021

Try downloading the Discord PTB: https://sudo.to/2n9

mind ya 200 Oct 24, 2021

None of these suggestions down below work they may for some but not for me , so what I did was go to the user settings and scroll down a little and clicked voice and video then I scrolled down and saw reset voice settings so i clicked that and it worked .

Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 26, 2021

Thank you so much for your input, we will add this method to our article soon!

Ian Parker Dec 18, 2021

for me its like my friend will say something and it stops and then its the green cirlce constantly and we can never get it to work

Muhammad Zubyan Author Dec 18, 2021

Can you try to change server and check if the voice appears again or it doesnt?

Gabe Holmes May 28, 2022

I do not see the legacy audio option, my sound is up in mixer, i have my headset selected and i have reinstalled discord and it i am still unable to hear discord videos or notifications, but i can hear voice

Muhammad Zubyan Author Jun 21, 2022

Contact me on my Discord, I can help you fix this issue. Zubyan Gul#9955

Jubei Jul 21, 2022

I have this problem, but I think it’s not only Discord related, but global. I used web version, but on a call I couldn’t hear anyone, so I installed the app, but it was the same. I use a Bluetooth headphones. Others can hear me and hear each other, but I can’t hear anyone. My sound works for everything else, playing audio, video, YouTube etc. Then I tried on Viber and faced the same problem. The other side hears me, but I don’t get any audio. I checked all settings, Volume Mixer, Sound Test, etc. all work, but not in VoIP apps. From my phone Viber works with the same headphones, but not on Windows.

Jeroen Yla Sep 21, 2022

Reset worked for me

Matt Tumberman Oct 9, 2022

Thank you. The culprit for some reason after switching from headset to speaker, is that Discord’s output is still on the clearly disconnected device, so that helped.

Muhammad Zubyan Author Oct 9, 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback!

ganaa Jan 1, 2023

thank you it was very helphul