Is your Discord acting strange? You can hear the notification beep when you get a message, and you can hear the ringtone when someone calls, but the moment you join a voice channel, it is dead silent. You can see the green circles lighting up around your friends' avatars, proving they are talking, but you can't hear a thing. This is a common "split audio" issue where Discord successfully routes UI sounds but fails to route Voice over IP (VoIP) data. Below, we break down exactly how to fix the output device conflict causing this problem.
Table of Contents
Fix 1: Change Output from Default to Specific Device
The most common reason notifications work but voice chat doesn't is that Discord is set to "Default," and your computer is confused about which device is the default for communication versus media. Forcing Discord to use a specific hardware device usually solves this instantly.
- Open Discord and click the User Settings (gear icon) near your username at the bottom left.
- In the left sidebar, select Voice & Video.
- Look at the section labeled Output Device.
- If it currently says "Default," click the dropdown menu.
- Select your actual headset or speakers specifically (e.g., "Headphones (Realtek Audio)" or "Logitech G Pro X"). Do not leave it on Default.
- Adjust the Output Volume slider to ensure it isn't set to zero.
Fix 2: The "Legacy" Audio Subsystem Trick
If selecting the specific device didn't work, your hardware might be struggling with Discord's modern audio engine. Switching to the Legacy subsystem is a proven fix for users who hear pings but no voice.
- Go back to User Settings > Voice & Video.
- Scroll down to the Audio Subsystem section.
- By default, this is set to "Standard." Change this to Legacy.
- Discord will ask to restart the application. Click Okay.
- Once Discord reopens, try joining a voice channel again.
Note: This often fixes issues with older headsets or specific Bluetooth devices.
Fix 3: Reset Discord Voice Settings
Sometimes local configuration files get corrupted. If you have changed too many settings trying to fix this, it is best to wipe the slate clean.
- Go to User Settings > Voice & Video.
- Scroll to the very bottom of the page.
- Click the red button labeled Reset Voice Settings.
- Confirm the action. Discord will re-detect your audio hardware.
- Important: After resetting, ensure your Output Device (Fix 1) is selected correctly again.
Fix 4: Check Windows Volume Mixer
Windows 10 and 11 allow you to control volume for specific apps individually. It is possible your main volume is up, but Discord's specific voice output is muted.
- Right-click the Speaker Icon in your Windows taskbar (bottom right).
- Select Open Volume Mixer.
- Look for Discord in the list of apps.
- Make sure the volume slider for Discord is up and the speaker icon next to it is not muted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why can I hear YouTube and Games, but not Discord Voice?
A: Browsers and Games use the system's "Media" audio stream. Discord Voice uses the "Communications" audio stream. If your headset has two channels (like many gaming headsets), the "Chat" dial might be turned down physically on your headphones, or the Communication device settings in Windows are incorrect.
Q: I tried everything, but I still can't hear anyone. What now?
A: Try using the Discord Browser version (discord.com/app). If the audio works in the browser but not the installed app, the issue is strictly with the installed app's drivers. A complete reinstall of Discord usually fixes this.
Q: Does turning off "Quality of Service" help?
A: Yes, sometimes. In Voice & Video settings, try disabling "Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority." Some routers block these packets, resulting in silence.