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Steam voice chat broken? Here is how to fix it.

Steam voice chat broken? Here is how to fix it.
Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy Milliner

  • Updated:

Since going live, Steam’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… when they work.

Some users encountered a bug, however, that prevents voice chat from functioning at all. And that just won’t do.

steam chat

If you are one such user looking to solve the problem, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to fix it in 5 steps.

How to fix Steam voice chat

1. Open Steam

* IF YOU ARE IN FAMILY VIEW you will need to turn it off before you can fix your audio issues.

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’ll now be able to access the windows required to fix your issue.

2. Open the friends & chat window

Located at the bottom of the Steam window, as shown.

4. Open the settings menu from the chat window

Click the gear icon at the top right (as shown) and it will take you to a friends list screen.

5. Tab over to voice

6. Change your input and output devices

Here’s where the problem lies – the Steam update likely changed what your “default” devices are for chatting. All you need to do is switch them back to the device you’d like Steam to recognize as your primary. Simply click the drop-down and select your device from the given options.

* If you do NOT see your device listed, be sure it’s plugged in correctly, and that it’s recognized by your computer. You can check this in Settings > Bluetooth & other devices

A dash will appear in front of the device that is currently being used, so be sure it’s next to the correct one before you close out of this window.

We’ll see you online!

Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy Milliner

Jeremy is an avid gamer, writer, musician, and instructor. He has been teaching for over 15 years, with his primary focus on music, and has written all manner of gaming articles, reviews, FAQs, walkthroughs, strategy guides, and even the odd screenplay or two. He has run the gamut of tech reviews, game guides, lifestyle content, and more. His focus as a writer is to give fair feedback of products, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in a clear, concise, and entertaining manner.

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