{"id":106317,"date":"2019-06-20T18:52:52","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T16:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=106317"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:46:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:46:40","slug":"steam-voice-chat-broken-here-is-how-to-fix-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/steam-voice-chat-broken-here-is-how-to-fix-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Steam voice chat broken? Here is how to fix it."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Since going live, Steam&#8217;s new chat has seen a variety of much-needed, highly anticipated features pertaining to friends and chat. The new channels, drag-and-drop friends, and media sharing are all welcome additions to Steam&#8230; when they work.<\/p>\n<p>Some users encountered a bug, however, that prevents voice chat from functioning at all. And that just won&#8217;t do.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-106318 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/steam-chat-cute.png\" alt=\"steam chat\" width=\"674\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/steam-chat-cute.png 674w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/steam-chat-cute-300x196.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you are one such user looking to solve the problem, you&#8217;ve come to the right place. <b>Here&#8217;s how to fix it in 5 steps.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2>How to fix Steam voice chat<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Open Steam<\/h3>\n<p>* IF YOU ARE IN FAMILY VIEW you will need to turn it off before you can fix your audio issues.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-106319 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/SwitchFromFamilyModeEDITED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"533\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/SwitchFromFamilyModeEDITED.jpg 533w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/SwitchFromFamilyModeEDITED-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Family View can be toggled off by clicking the green button next to your profile image on the top right. Enter your four-digit password and it will switch to red. You&#8217;ll now be able to access the windows required to fix your issue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/06\/steam-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">How to install Steam<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-install-steam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-install-steam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>2. Open the friends &amp; chat window<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106020 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsAndChatEDITED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"549\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsAndChatEDITED.jpg 549w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsAndChatEDITED-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Located at the bottom of the Steam window, as shown.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Open the settings menu from the chat window<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106320 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsChatWindowEDITE.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsChatWindowEDITE.jpg 296w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsChatWindowEDITE-136x300.jpg 136w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 296px) 100vw, 296px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Click the <strong>gear icon<\/strong> at the top right (as shown) and it will take you to a <strong>friends list<\/strong> screen.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Tab over to voice<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106321 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsListTabOptionsEDITED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"844\" height=\"432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsListTabOptionsEDITED.jpg 844w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsListTabOptionsEDITED-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/FriendsListTabOptionsEDITED-768x393.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/zombie-halloween-graveyard-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">Top 7 survival games on Steam<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/best-survival-games-steam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/best-survival-games-steam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>6. Change your input and output devices<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106322 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/VoiceOutputSettingsEDITED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"842\" height=\"721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/VoiceOutputSettingsEDITED.jpg 842w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/VoiceOutputSettingsEDITED-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/VoiceOutputSettingsEDITED-768x658.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s where the problem lies &#8211; the Steam update likely changed what your &#8220;default&#8221; devices are for chatting. All you need to do is switch them back to the device you&#8217;d like Steam to recognize as your primary. Simply click the drop-down and select your device from the given options.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-106323 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Settings.Devices.Bluetooth.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"807\" height=\"562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Settings.Devices.Bluetooth.jpg 807w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Settings.Devices.Bluetooth-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/Settings.Devices.Bluetooth-768x535.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>* If you do NOT see your device listed, be sure it&#8217;s plugged in correctly, and that it&#8217;s recognized by your computer. You can check this in <strong>Settings &gt; Bluetooth &amp; other devices<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A dash will appear in front of the device that is currently being used, so be sure it&#8217;s next to the correct one before you close out of this window.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ll see you online!<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-related-articles-white\">\r\n<p class=\"sc-related-articles-white__title\">More from Softonic<\/p>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"7 best Minecraft mods\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/7-best-minecraft-mods\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/07\/biomes3.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>7 best Minecraft mods<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"The 8 best addons for World of Warcraft\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/the-8-best-addons-for-world-of-warcraft\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/07\/wow.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>The 8 best addons for World of Warcraft<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"5 ways gaming can make you an awesome musician\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/5-ways-gaming-can-make-you-an-awesome-musician\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/07\/FeatPicMusic.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>5 ways gaming can make you an awesome musician<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"How to play thousands of retro arcade games for free on your PC\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-play-thousands-of-retro-arcade-games-for-free-on-your-pc\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/07\/arcade.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>How to play thousands of retro arcade games for free on your PC<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since going live, Steam&#8217;s new chat has seen a variety of much-needed, highly anticipated features pertaining to friends and chat. The new channels, drag-and-drop friends, and media sharing are all welcome additions to Steam&#8230; when they work. Some users encountered a bug, however, that prevents voice chat from functioning at all. And that just won&#8217;t &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/steam-voice-chat-broken-here-is-how-to-fix-it\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Steam voice chat broken? Here is how to fix it.&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9155,"featured_media":106324,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[2441],"tags":[1056],"usertag":[784,787],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-106317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-steam","usertag-gamer","usertag-gamer-desktop"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9155"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106317"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325830,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106317\/revisions\/325830"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106317"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=106317"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=106317"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=106317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}