“Can you hear me?”
“Your mic is cutting out!”
If these phrases ruin your gaming sessions, your Discord settings are likely to blame. Good audio isn’t just about having an expensive microphone; it’s about configuring the software correctly.
The short answer: To instantly improve your audio, enable Noise Suppression (Krisp), set your Input Sensitivity correctly, and ensure your Input Device is set to your actual microphone, not “Default.”
Here is the ultimate guide to optimizing Discord’s voice settings for crystal-clear calls, fixing echo, and eliminating background noise.
🎧 Step 1: The Basics (Input & Output)
Before tweaking advanced features, you must ensure Discord is listening to the right hardware.
- Go to User Settings (Gear Icon ⚙️).
- Select Voice & Video.
- Input Device: Select your specific microphone (e.g., “Blue Yeti” or “Headset Mic”). Do not leave this on “Default,” as Windows often switches it unexpectedly.
- Output Device: Select your headphones or speakers.
Pro Tip: Always tap the “Let’s Check” button under Mic Test. Speak into your mic. If the bar doesn’t move, Discord can’t hear you.
🎚️ Step 2: The “Secret” to Perfect Audio (Sensitivity)
This is the #1 reason users cut out during sentences.
Input Sensitivity
This setting determines how loud you need to speak for Discord to transmit your voice.
- Automatic (Recommended for most): Toggle the switch ON. Discord usually does a great job detecting speech vs. silence.
- Manual (For noisy rooms): If “Automatic” cuts off the end of your sentences, toggle it OFF.
- How to set it: Talk normally. Adjust the slider so the bar is in the green when you talk, and stays in the yellow when you are typing or breathing.
Noise Suppression (Krisp)
This is a game-changer. Krisp uses AI to filter out dogs barking, keyboards clicking, and fans spinning.
- Setting: Scroll down to “Advanced” and set Noise Suppression to “Krisp.”
- Result: Only your voice gets through.
🗣️ Voice Activity vs. Push-to-Talk (PTT)
Which mode should you use? Here is a quick comparison to help you decide.
| Mode | How it Works | Best For… |
| Voice Activity | Transmits automatically when you speak. | Casual Chats, quiet rooms, small groups. |
| Push-to-Talk | Only transmits while holding a key. | Competitive Gaming, noisy houses, mechanical keyboards. |
Recommendation: If you have a loud mechanical keyboard and no noise suppression, please use Push-to-Talk to keep your friends happy!
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues
Audio problems? Try these fixes before buying a new headset.
1. “My friends hear an echo of themselves.”
- Fix: You are likely using speakers, and your mic is picking them up. Use headphones.
- Fix: Enable Echo Cancellation in the Voice & Video settings.
2. “I sound like a robot.”
- Fix: This is usually a connection issue. Check your internet.
- Fix: Go to settings and turn OFF “High Packet Priority” (Quality of Service). Sometimes this conflicts with routers.
3. “My mic is too quiet.”
- Fix: In Voice & Video settings, check the Input Volume slider. It should be at 100%.
- Fix: Check your Windows Sound Settings to ensure your mic gain isn’t set to 50%.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is “Attentuation”?
A: This feature lowers the volume of other apps (like your game or music) when someone speaks in Discord. It’s great for chatting but bad if you are trying to listen to game footsteps. Set it to 0% if you want full game audio.
Q: Why does my audio cut out when I stream?
A: Your CPU might be overloaded. Try turning Hardware Acceleration OFF in the Advanced settings (or ON, if it was off). Also, ensure your internet upload speed is sufficient.
Q: Does Discord lower my game quality?
A: No, Discord audio runs separately. However, if you have “High Packet Priority” on, it might fight your game for bandwidth on slow connections.
🌟 Summary: Optimize Your Sound Now
You don’t need a studio setup to sound professional.
- Select the specific device (not Default).
- Enable Krisp noise suppression.
- Test your Sensitivity to ensure you aren’t cutting out.
Your Next Step: Open Discord User Settings > Voice & Video right now and click the “Let’s Check” button. If the bar isn’t hitting the green, follow the steps above!