Can’t Hear Anyone in Valorant? Fixes

If you can’t hear anyone in Valorant, the cause is almost always a Windows audio device or in-game voice chat setting, not a game-breaking bug. This guide walks you through the exact fixes, from checking your default playback device to resetting Valorant’s voice chat settings, so you can hear your teammates again.

Why Can’t I Hear Anyone in Valorant?

Valorant uses two separate audio systems: one for game sounds (gunfire, footsteps, abilities) and one for voice chat (party and team). If you can hear gunfire but not your teammates, the problem is specifically with the voice chat system. If you can’t hear any audio at all, it’s likely your Windows audio device or the game’s audio output settings.

Common causes include:

• Your default playback device in Windows changed (e.g., after plugging in a headset).
• Valorant is set to use a different audio device than the one you’re listening on.
• Voice chat is disabled or set to “Party Only” instead of “Team”.
• Your microphone is muted, which can also cause the game to mute all voice audio for you.
• Windows privacy settings are blocking Valorant from using your microphone.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Try First

1. Check your default playback device in Windows. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select “Open Sound settings,” and under “Output,” make sure your headset or speakers are selected. If you have multiple devices, try switching between them.
2. Set the same device in Valorant. Open Valorant, go to Settings (gear icon) → Audio → Output Device. Ensure it matches the Windows default device. If it says “Default,” change it to your specific headset and then back to “Default” to force a refresh.
3. Check in-game voice chat settings. In Settings → Audio → Voice Chat, make sure “Voice Chat” is set to “On” and “Party Voice Chat” and “Team Voice Chat” are both set to “On.” Also, check the “Voice Chat Mode” is set to “Push to Talk” or “Voice Activity” as you prefer.
4. Verify your microphone is not muted. In the same Voice Chat settings, click “Test Microphone” and speak. If the bar doesn’t move, your mic is muted or not selected. Check the input device dropdown.
5. Restart Valorant and your PC. A fresh start can clear temporary audio glitches.

Windows Privacy Settings Blocking Microphone

Windows 10 and 11 have privacy settings that can block apps from accessing your microphone. Even if you never changed them, a system update can reset them. To check:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security → Microphone.
3. Ensure “Microphone access” is turned on.
4. Scroll down to “Let apps access your microphone” and make sure it’s on.
5. Scroll to “Let desktop apps access your microphone” and ensure it’s on. Valorant is a desktop app, so this is critical.

If these are already on, toggle them off and on again to refresh the permission.

Resetting Valorant’s Audio Settings

If the above doesn’t work, Valorant’s config file might be corrupted. Resetting it is safe and will not affect your in-game progress or settings like keybinds (those are stored separately).

1. Close Valorant completely.
2. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata% and press Enter.
3. Navigate to VALORANT → Saved → Config.
4. Find the folder with your Riot ID (e.g., YourName#1234).
5. Inside, open the Windows folder.
6. Delete the GameSettings.cfg file. (It will be recreated when you launch the game.)
7. Launch Valorant and test your audio.

What If I Still Can’t Hear Anyone?

If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t hear teammates, the issue may be with your headset itself or the game’s voice servers. Try:

• Testing another game or app to see if your headset works at all.
• Plugging your headset into a different USB port or using a 3.5mm jack instead of USB.
• Checking if other players in your game can hear you. If they can, but you can’t hear them, it’s likely your output device or a driver issue.
• Updating your audio drivers. Go to your device manufacturer’s website or use Windows Update.

If the problem persists across multiple games and apps, it’s likely a hardware issue with your headset, not Valorant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I hear game sounds but not voice chat in Valorant?

This usually means your output device is correct, but the voice chat is either disabled in settings or your microphone is muted (which can cause the game to mute all voice audio). Check the in-game Voice Chat settings and ensure both “Party Voice Chat” and “Team Voice Chat” are on.

How do I fix Valorant voice chat not working on Windows 11?

Windows 11 has the same privacy settings as Windows 10 but they are under “Privacy & security” → “Microphone.” Make sure “Let desktop apps access your microphone” is enabled. Then follow the steps above for in-game settings.

Can I hear my teammates in Valorant but they can’t hear me?

That’s a microphone issue. Check your input device in Valorant’s Audio settings, test your mic in the same menu, and ensure Windows privacy settings allow desktop apps to access your microphone. Also, check if your mic is physically muted.

Does resetting Valorant settings delete my keybinds?

No. Deleting the GameSettings.cfg file only resets audio, video, and other graphics settings. Keybinds are stored in a separate file called Settings.cfg in the same folder. You can safely delete the GameSettings file without losing your keybinds.

Why does my voice chat work in party but not in team?

Check that “Team Voice Chat” is enabled in the Audio settings. If it is, try toggling it off and on. Also, make sure you’re not muted in the team channel (press the mute key, usually “T” by default, to unmute yourself).

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