Many players report that voice chat is not working in ARC Raiders on PC. In most cases, players cannot be heard by teammates, cannot hear others, or see voice indicators but get no sound during matches.
This issue is usually caused by incorrect audio device settings, microphone permissions, Windows privacy controls, conflicting background apps, or outdated drivers. Thankfully, the steps below fix voice chat problems for most users.
Why ARC Raiders Voice Chat Isn’t Working
Before applying fixes, it helps to know the probable causes.
Common reasons include:
- Wrong input/output audio device selected
- Windows privacy settings blocking mic access
- Outdated or missing audio drivers
- Overlays interfering with voice chat
- Game audio settings misconfigured
- Conflicts with Discord or other voice apps
- Network or NAT issues blocking voice data
Because of these issues, in-game voice chat cannot send or receive audio properly.
Fix 1: Check In-Game Voice Chat Settings (Most Important)
First, ensure ARC Raiders voice chat is enabled.
Steps:
- Open ARC Raiders Settings
- Go to Audio / Voice Chat
- Enable:
- Voice Chat
- Push-to-Talk (optional)
- Select correct Input Device (your mic)
- Select correct Output Device (headset/speakers)
- Apply settings and restart the game
If devices aren’t listed, restart your PC and try again.
Fix 2: Set Correct Default Mic & Speakers in Windows
Windows may be using a different device.
Steps:
- Right-click Speaker icon (taskbar)
- Open Sound Settings
- Under Input, choose your mic
- Under Output, choose your headset
- Test mic functionality from here
This ensures the right device is active.
Fix 3: Allow Microphone Access in Windows Privacy
If Windows blocks mic access, the game cannot use it.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Privacy & Security
- Click Microphone
- Turn on:
- Microphone access
- Let apps access your mic
- Scroll down → enable for ARC Raiders (if listed)
Restart the game afterward.
Fix 4: Disable Exclusive Audio Control
Some apps take exclusive mic control.
Steps:
- Open Sound Settings
- Click Device properties (mic)
- Click Additional device properties
- Go to Advanced
- Uncheck:
- Allow applications to take exclusive control
- Click Apply → OK
Now test voice chat.
Fix 5: Update Audio & USB Drivers
Outdated drivers often break communication features.
Steps:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand:
- Audio inputs and outputs
- Sound, video and game controllers
- Right-click each audio device → Update driver
- Restart PC after updates
This ensures stable voice functionality.
Fix 6: Restart Windows Audio Services
If services are stopped, voice chat won’t work.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc - Find:
- Windows Audio
- Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
- Right-click → Restart
- Retry voice chat in-game
Fix 7: Disable Overlays & Conflicting Apps
Overlay tools can interfere with voice chat audio.
Disable:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord Overlay
- NVIDIA/AMD Sound overlays
- Xbox Game Bar
Then relaunch ARC Raiders.
Fix 8: Check Discord or Third-Party Audio Apps
If Discord or other comms software holds mic access, ARC Raiders may not get it.
Suggested steps:
- Close Discord completely
- Close other voice apps (Teamspeak, Mumble)
- Restart PC
- Test in-game voice only
If it works, enable mic sharing in Discord → Settings → Voice & Video → Input Mode: Voice Activity
Fix 9: Configure NAT / Network for Voice
Voice chat can fail if network ports are blocked.
Tips:
- Enable UPnP in router settings
- Avoid Strict NAT
- Connect via Wired Ethernet if possible
- Restart router
This improves voice data flow.
Fix 10: Reinstall ARC Raiders (Last Option)
If all else fails:
- Uninstall ARC Raiders
- Restart your PC
- Reinstall from Steam/Epic
- Test voice chat
This removes deeply corrupted files.
Additional Tips
- Speak close to the mic and use noise cancelling
- Avoid extremely high mic gain (distorts sound)
- Muting/unmuting in-game sometimes resets audio
- Test mic in Windows Sound Settings → Test your microphone
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why can’t I hear teammates, but see voice icons?
Usually wrong output device or Windows privacy settings blocking audio.
Why does voice chat work in Discord but not in ARC Raiders?
Because Windows may be prioritizing Discord mic access.
Should I use Push-to-Talk?
Yes, if mic picks up constant noise or broadcasts background sounds.
Does network quality affect voice chat?
Yes. Poor connection, NAT issues, or packet loss may block voice voice sockets.
Conclusion
The ARC Raiders voice chat not working on PC issue is typically caused by audio device conflicts, Windows privacy settings, or microphone access problems. By selecting the correct input/output devices, enabling mic permissions, updating drivers, and disabling overlays, you can restore voice communication quickly.
🎤 After applying these fixes, voice chat in ARC Raiders should work smoothly so you can coordinate with teammates without issues.
