After investigating this particular issue thoroughly, it turns out that there are several different underlying scenarios that might trigger this particular microphone issue when playing the game. Here’s a shortlist of potential culprits that might be responsible for this issue: Now that you are aware of every potential instance that might be causing this microphone issue with Phasmophobia, here’s a list of fixes that other affected users have successfully used to fix this problem and play the game normally:
1. Select the correct microphone from the Audio tab
First things first, you should begin this troubleshooting guide by ensuring that the correct microphone is selected from the in-game Audio menu. If you are playing the game on a PC that has an incorporated microphone, the game has a tendency of defaulting it even though you are trying to use a headset. Several affected users have confirmed that the issue was resolved after they launched the game normally and changed the default Microphone choice from the Audio menu. If you’re looking for specific instructions on how to do this, follow the steps below to ensure that Phasmophobia is using the correct microphone: In case you’re still experiencing the same mic issues with Phasmophobia, move down to the next potential fix below.
2. Set the correct recording device as default in Windows Settings
Another fairly common scenario that might produce this error is an instance in which the microphone you are trying to use with Phasmophobia is not set as the default choice in the audio settings of your Windows installation. A few Phasmophobia that we’re also dealing with this problem have confirmed that once they accessed the Sound menu and changed the default Recording device to the correct one. Follow the instructions below to learn how to do this: Note: The instructions below will work on every recent Windows version (Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11) If the problem is still not resolved as you’re still unable to complete certain objectives inside Phasmophobia, move down to the next potential fix below.
3. Disable Exclusive Mode and active Enhancements (if applicable)
According to a lot of affected users, you can expect to face this microphone issue with Phasmophobia due to the way the game is developed to pass DTS or DOLBY bitstreams through HDMI / SPDIF. Streams like this cannot be interrupted because the audio is already encoded – No audio can be added to them while they’re making their way to a receiver like a TV. If you’re using DTS or Dolby bitstreams through HDMI or SPDIF, this is most likely the reason why your microphone is not working while the game is open. In this case, you should try disabling Exclusive Mode for the Recording device that you’re currently doing and ensure that no enhancements are affecting the audio stream. For step by step instructions on how to do this, follow the steps below: If you ensured that Exclusive Mode is disabled for your Playback device and no enhancements are currently active, move down to the next potential fix below.
4. Ensure that apps are allowed to access microphone (Windows 10 Only)
According to a lot of users that we’re also dealing with this issue, you can also expect to see this issue in a situation where the Phasmophobia app doesn’t have access to the microphone that the game is attempting to use. This issue is exclusive to Windows 10 where a privacy setting will prohibit any apps (native or 3rd party) that don’t have the necessary permissions from accessing the microphone. INFO: This was not standard behavior when Windows 10 launched, but a recent security update is preventing UWP apps from accessing the camera & microphone unless you specifically configure them and grant them access to the active microphone. If this scenario is applicable to you and you’re suspecting that the Phasmophobia App is prevented from using the microphone, follow the instructions below to make sure that’s not the case: In case the same mic issue is still occurring with Phasmophobia, move down to the next potential fix below.
5. Install the required voice recognition drivers
As it turns out, a fairly common cause of this issue on Windows 10 is an instance in which a series of voice recognition drivers needed by the game is missing from your Windows installation. This is very likely if your computer is configured for a different language than English US. Several affected users have managed to fix this issue by accessing the Speech Settings menu and forcing the installation of the English (United States) voice package – This action will also install the missing voice recognition drivers. To make matters easier for you, we’ve put together a series of step-by-step instructions that will walk you through the whole process:
6. Update Windows 10 to the latest version (if applicable)
Keep in mind that if you’re on Windows 10, installing every pending update and bringing your OS to build to the latest is crucial. Phasmophobia’s voice recognition tech will require you to use the latest voice recognition drivers which are only installed once you are on Windows 10 build version 2004 or later. If this scenario looks like it could be applicable and you have a lot of pending updates, you should be able to fix the problem by installing every pending WIndows update following the official channels. In case it’s necessary, follow the instructions below to open the Windows Update component and use it to install every pending update until you bring your Windows build up to date: If the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.
7. Run Steam without Admin privileges (if applicable)
I know this seems like an unlikely culprit, but a lot of affected users have come forward and reported that Steam’s admin privileges end up breaking Phasmophobia’s voice recognition tech – This is even acknowledged by the developers as they recommend running Steam without admin access while playing the game If you have previously configured Steam to run with admin access, follow the instructions below to remove the elevated access in order to ensure that the voice recognition feature is not affected: If the problem is still not fixed, move down to the final potential fix below.
8. Move the game to the main drive
According to some users that we’re also launching the game through Steam, you might be also dealing with a permission issue. Some users have managed to get the issue resolved by manually moving the game to the main drive where Windows is installed (C:/ drive in most cases). If Phasmophobia is not installed on the C drive, moving the game manually through Steam should be fairly easy to perform. Follow the instructions below for step by step instructions on moving the game to the main drive:
Phasmophobia Stuck at Loading Screen? Here’s How to Fix[Fixed] Squad Game Mic Not Working (9 Working Methods)Fix: Razer Kraken Mic not WorkingFix: Logitech H111 Mic not Working
