How to Fix Sea of Thieves Voice Chat Not Working

Voice chat in Sea of Thieves may not work due to an outdated or corrupt sound driver. Additionally, disabled mic/chat access in Windows and Xbox privacy settings might prevent the voice chat from functioning.

It occurs when affected users attempt to utilize the game chat and find their voice is not detected. In some cases, users are unable to hear others as well. For some, the problem arises on the first day of gameplay, while others experience it after the game has functioned normally for an extended period.

Before exploring more detailed solutions to rectify the voice chat in Sea of Thieves, ensure the audio is not muted in the game. Verify that your microphone is operational with other applications and games. Additionally, Sea of Thieves is known to have issues with USB mics and Logitech headsets/mics; if you are using these devices, consider replacing them. Also, try unplugging and then reconnecting your mic to see if the issue resolves.

Solution 1: Update Your System Drivers

System drivers are continuously updated to enhance performance by fixing known bugs and adapting to technological advancements. An outdated sound driver might be the cause of the current voice chat error. Updating your system drivers could resolve this issue.

1. Update your system drivers, with particular focus on your sound driver.

   

2. Update Windows to the latest build, as many manufacturers release driver updates through the Windows Update service.
3. Launch Sea of Thieves to verify if the problem has been resolved.

Solution 2: Reinstalling the Sound Driver

Hardware drivers are essential for device functionality. Your sound card utilizes its driver to interface with the OS and game. A corrupt sound card driver might lead to voice chat issues. In such a case, reinstalling the drivers might correct the problem.

1. Right-click on the Windows button and select Device Manager from the menu.

   

2. Expand the “Sound, video, and game controllers” section.

   

3. Right-click on the sound device and select Uninstall Device.

   

4. Tick Delete the Driver Software for This Device, then click on the Uninstall button.

   

5. Restart your computer.
6. Upon restart, Windows should reinstall the sound driver automatically. If it does not, open the Action Menu in Device Manager and select Scan for Hardware Changes, or download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.

   

7. Launch Sea of Thieves and check if the voice chat is functioning correctly.

Solution 3: Clean Boot Windows to Check for Software Conflict

Windows applications share system/network resources with third-party applications. If a resource critical to Sea of Thieves is blocked by a conflict, the game’s voice chat may fail to function. Clean booting your system can help identify if a software conflict is causing the issue.

1. Perform a clean boot of your system.

   

2. Launch the game to check its functionality. If it operates correctly, try to pinpoint the conflicting application. Audio-related software, like voice changer applications, could be the source of the issue.

Solution 4: Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus/Firewall

Antivirus and firewall programs are vital for device and data security, but they have been known to interfere with online games. Your antivirus/firewall (notably Kaspersky) could be causing the voice chat issue. You can test this by temporarily disabling these services.

Warning: Proceed at your own risk. Disabling your antivirus/firewall may expose your system to severe security threats, such as viruses and trojans.

1. Disable your antivirus and turn off your firewall. Additionally, ensure your router’s firewall (if applicable) permits the game’s audio service.

   

2. Launch Sea of Thieves and check if the voice chat works. If it does, create an exception for the game’s audio service in your antivirus/firewall settings before re-enabling them.

Solution 5: Enable Mic Access for Sea of Thieves in Windows Privacy Settings

If mic access for Sea of Thieves is disabled in Windows Privacy Settings, the game’s voice chat won’t work. Enabling mic access in privacy settings can correct the issue.

1. Exit the game.
2. Open Privacy Settings by clicking the Windows button and typing “Privacy Settings,” then select it from the search results.

   

3. In the left pane, click on Microphone.

   

4. Click on Change to enable Allow Access to the Microphone on this device (if it’s disabled).
5. Activate the toggle for Allow Apps to Access Your Microphone.

   

6. Under Choose Which Microsoft Store Apps can Access Your Microphone, look for Sea of Thieves and enable its microphone access.

   

7. Grant Microphone access to Microsoft Store and Xbox Console Companion as well.

   

8. Restart your computer and launch Sea of Thieves to see if the voice chat is operative.

Solution 6: Set the Required Audio Devices as Default Devices

For Sea of Thieves, audio is routed through the default audio input and output devices. If these defaults differ from the devices you wish to use, the voice chat might not work. Making the desired devices default could resolve this issue.

1. Open the Xbox Console Companion, click the settings gear icon in the left pane to open Settings.

   

2. In the General tab, scroll to the Party section.
3. Ensure party volume is not muted and note the device used for the Speaker.
4. Under the Microphone option, note the device being used for the Microphone.

   

5. Launch Sea of Thieves and initiate voice chat, keep it running, and switch to your system desktop.
6. Access Sound Settings by clicking the Windows button and typing “Sound Settings.”

   

7. Select your output device as noted earlier from the dropdown for Choose Your Output Device.
8. Select your input device as noted earlier from the dropdown for Choose Your Input Device.

   

9. Scroll to the end, under Advanced Sound Options, click on App Volume and Device Preferences.

   

10. Verify that Master Volume is not muted and the App volume is not at zero.
11. Select the appropriate devices for speakers and microphone from the dropdowns for Sea of Thieves.

    

12. Switch back to the game and verify if the voice chat operates correctly.
13. If the problem persists, exit Sea of Thieves and the Xbox app.
14. Open the Control Panel by clicking the Windows button and typing “Control Panel.”

    

15. Go to Hardware and Sound and select Sound.

    

16. In the Playback or Recording tabs, right-click the desired device and select Set as Default Communication Device.

    

17. Relaunch the game and confirm if voice chat is now working.

If voice chat issues persist, exit Sea of Thieves and the Xbox app, disable all audio devices in the Playback/Recording tabs of Sound settings except the one you want to use, then restart the game to see if voice chat functions correctly.

Solution 7: Manually Open Ports Required by Sea of Thieves

Servers identified by IP addresses use ports to understand the requested service by an application. Closed or improperly configured ports can lead to game voice chat issues. Opening specific ports required by Sea of Thieves might resolve the problem.

To open ports for Sea of Thieves, follow method 2 in How to Fix Sea of Thieves Marblebeard Error Code.

If issues persist, consider using a 3^rd party service such as Xbox Chat or Discord for voice communication.