Apex Legends Voice Chat Not Working? Fix It

If your Apex Legends voice chat is not working, the fix is usually one of four things: the in-game voice chat is muted or set to the wrong device, Windows privacy settings are blocking microphone access, the game’s audio settings point to the wrong input/output, or a background app has exclusive control of the mic. This guide walks through each cause in order, from the quickest check to the deeper system-level fix, so you can get back to talking with your squad quickly.

Why Voice Chat Breaks in Apex Legends

Apex Legends uses the EA app’s voice chat service, which relies on your PC’s default communication devices. Unlike push-to-talk in some other shooters, Apex defaults to “Voice Activity” (open mic) for many players, so any background noise or an incorrectly set threshold can make it seem broken. The most common causes, in rough order of frequency, are:

• In-game voice chat is disabled or set to “Push to Talk” when you expect open mic.
• Windows has the wrong input device selected, so the game hears nothing.
• Windows privacy settings block desktop apps from using the microphone.
• Another program (Discord, browser, recording software) has exclusive control of the mic.
• The game’s audio output is set to a different device than your headset.

These issues are not unique to Apex; they are common to any game that uses the Windows audio stack. But Apex’s own settings menu can mask the problem, because the game will show your mic as active even when Windows is not sending it audio.

Step 1: Check In-Game Voice Chat Settings

Open Apex Legends, go to the main lobby, and click the gear icon (Settings). Navigate to the “Audio” tab, then scroll to the “Voice Chat” section. Verify the following:

• Voice Chat: Set to “On” (not “Off” or “Push to Talk”).
• Input Device: Select your actual microphone (e.g., “Microphone Array” or your headset’s mic).
• Output Device: Select your headset or speakers.
• Voice Chat Record Mode: If you want open mic, choose “Voice Activity”; if you prefer push-to-talk, choose “Push to Talk” and bind a key.
• Voice Chat Record Volume: Set to at least 50–70 to ensure your voice is picked up.

After changing these, test by sending a party invite or asking a friend to join your lobby. If you still hear nothing, move to the next step.

Step 2: Set the Correct Default Devices in Windows

Apex Legends uses the Windows default communication device, not just the default playback device. This is a frequent source of confusion. To set it correctly:

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select “Sounds” (or “Open Sound settings” then “Sound Control Panel”).
2. Go to the “Recording” tab. Find your microphone, right-click it, and choose “Set as Default Device” and also “Set as Default Communication Device”.
3. Go to the “Playback” tab. Do the same for your headset/speakers: set as default and default communication device.
4. Click OK and restart Apex Legends.

Many players only set the default device, not the communication device, which is why the game hears nothing while Discord works fine. If you have multiple mics (webcam, headset, standalone), make sure the one you intend to use is the one set as default communication.

Step 3: Fix Windows Microphone Privacy Permissions

Windows 10 and 11 have a privacy setting that can block desktop apps from using the microphone. Even if you gave permission before, a Windows update can reset it. To check:

1. Open Windows Settings (Win + I) and go to “Privacy & security” (Windows 11) or “Privacy” (Windows 10).
2. Select “Microphone” from the left menu.
3. Ensure “Microphone access” is turned on.
4. Ensure “Let apps access your microphone” is turned on.
5. Scroll to “Let desktop apps access your microphone” and make sure it is on. If it is off, Apex Legends cannot use the mic.

After enabling, restart Apex. If the toggle was already on, try turning it off, restarting your PC, then turning it back on—this re-registers the permission and often fixes lingering issues.

Step 4: Disable Exclusive Control and Other Apps

Windows allows apps to take exclusive control of a microphone, which can block Apex from using it. To disable this:

1. Right-click the speaker icon, select “Sounds”, go to the “Recording” tab.
2. Right-click your microphone, select “Properties”, then the “Advanced” tab.
3. Uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”.
4. Click Apply and OK.

Also, close any other programs that might be using the mic: Discord, browser tabs with video calls, recording software, or voice changers. These can hold the mic open and prevent Apex from accessing it. If you use Discord, try disabling its “Voice Processing” features (Krisp, noise suppression) as they can sometimes interfere.

Step 5: Verify Game Files and Repair Installation

If the above steps fail, the game’s voice chat files may be corrupted. In the EA app (or Steam), you can repair the installation:

• EA app: Go to your Library, click the three-dot menu on Apex Legends, select “Repair”.
• Steam: Right-click Apex Legends in your library, select “Properties”, go to “Installed Files”, and click “Verify integrity of game files”.

This will re-download any missing or broken files. It does not affect your settings or progress. After the repair, restart your PC and try voice chat again.

Step 6: Reset In-Game Settings to Default

If nothing else works, reset the game’s audio settings. In the Apex lobby, go to Settings → Audio and click “Reset to Default” at the bottom. This clears any misconfigured voice chat settings. Then re-enter your preferred settings as in Step 1. This is a last resort before reinstalling, but it often fixes issues that stem from a bad setting combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I hear teammates but they can’t hear me?

This almost always means your microphone is not being picked up by the game. Check the in-game input device, Windows default communication device, and privacy settings. Also confirm your mic is not muted via a physical switch on your headset.

Why can’t I hear anyone but they can hear me?

This points to the output device. Make sure your headset is set as both default playback and default communication device in Windows. Also check the in-game output device and that the volume is not at zero.

Does Apex have cross-platform voice chat?

Yes, Apex Legends supports cross-platform voice chat between PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. However, PC players may need to enable “Cross Platform Play” in settings. If you’re in a party with console players, you might need to use the in-game party chat rather than the platform’s party chat.

Why does my voice chat work in Discord but not in Apex?

Discord uses its own audio settings and can override Windows defaults. Apex uses the Windows default communication device. So if your headset is set as default in Discord but not in Windows, Apex won’t use it. Set the correct default communication device in Windows as described in Step 2.

Does resetting my router help with voice chat issues?

No. Voice chat in Apex uses your internet connection, but if you can play the game normally (no lag, no disconnects), the issue is almost certainly local audio settings, not your network. Restarting your router is unlikely to fix a mic not being detected.

Is there a way to test my mic in Apex?

Not directly in the game. You can test in Windows Sound settings (speak and watch the level meter), or in the EA app’s voice chat settings. If the meter moves in Windows, your mic works; the problem is the game’s device selection.

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