Can’t Hear People in Discord? Fix It

If you can’t hear people in Discord, the fix is usually a wrong output device, a muted user, or a system volume issue. Start by checking the device selector next to the mute button at the bottom of the voice channel, then confirm the user isn’t individually muted. Below is a complete troubleshooting guide covering every common cause and its solution.

Why Discord Audio Stops Working

Discord relies on your operating system’s audio routing. The app sends voice audio to a specific output device — usually your headphones or speakers — and receives microphone input from a separate device. When you can’t hear people, one of three things is happening: Discord is sending audio to the wrong device, the OS is blocking or lowering that device’s volume, or the incoming audio is being suppressed by a per-user or server setting.

Unlike video calls that use a browser, Discord is a native app. It can select a different output device than the one your system uses for music or videos. This is the most common reason people hear everything else but not Discord. The app also has its own volume sliders for individual users, which are separate from your main volume control.

Quick Checks Before You Dig Deeper

Run through these simple checks first — they solve a surprising number of cases in under a minute:

Check the output device selector — click the speaker icon at the bottom of the voice channel (next to the mute and deafen buttons). A dropdown appears; make sure the correct device is selected, not “Default” if your default is wrong.
Check the user’s volume — right-click a user’s name in the voice channel and look at the “User Volume” slider. It may be at 0% or very low.
Check if they’re muted or deafened — a red muted icon next to their name means they can’t speak. A red deafened icon means they can’t hear you either.
Check your system volume — open your OS volume mixer (right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar on Windows, or use the volume menu on Mac). Make sure Discord isn’t muted or at 1%.
Check if the server is muted — right-click the server icon in the left sidebar and look for “Mute Server.” If it’s checked, uncheck it.

If none of these work, move on to the deeper fixes below.

Fix 1: Set the Correct Output Device in Discord Settings

Discord’s settings override your system default. To change it:

Click the gear icon (User Settings) at the bottom left, next to your username.
Go to Voice & Video in the left sidebar.
Under Output Device, select your actual speakers or headphones from the dropdown. If you use a headset, choose that device, not “Default.”
If you have multiple audio devices (e.g., USB headset and monitor speakers), try each one until you hear the test sound.
Click the Let’s Check button (or “Test”) to play a sound. If you hear it, the device is correct.

If the test sound works but you still can’t hear people in a call, the issue is likely per-user or server-specific, not device-related.

Fix 2: Reset Voice Settings and Clear the Audio Cache

Sometimes Discord’s audio state gets corrupted. Resetting the voice settings often clears glitches:

Go to User Settings → Voice & Video.
Scroll to the bottom and click Reset Voice Settings. Confirm the reset.
Restart Discord completely (close it from the system tray, then reopen).

If that doesn’t help, clear Discord’s cache. On Windows, press Win + R, type %appdata%/discord, and delete the Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache folders. On Mac, go to ~/Library/Application Support/discord and do the same. Discord will recreate these folders on next launch. This does not delete your messages or settings.

Fix 3: Check System Permissions and Volume Mixer

Your operating system can block Discord from accessing audio or lower its volume independently.

Windows:

Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
Look for Discord in the list. If it’s muted or set to a low level, raise the slider.
If Discord isn’t listed, open it and join a voice channel, then check again.

Mac:

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.
Make sure Discord is toggled on. Even if you’re only trying to hear people, Discord needs mic permission to join a voice channel.

Also check that your default output device in system settings is the one you’re actually using. If you have Bluetooth headphones connected but your system is set to internal speakers, Discord will follow the system default unless you override it.

Fix 4: Disable Noise Suppression and Echo Cancellation

Discord’s audio processing can sometimes suppress voices it mistakes for noise, especially if the speaker has a quiet or muffled microphone. To rule this out:

Go to User Settings → Voice & Video.
Under Audio Processing, turn off Noise Suppression, Echo Cancellation, and Automatic Gain Control.
Ask the person who you can’t hear to do the same on their end.

This is a common fix when you can hear some people but not others, or when voices cut in and out. If turning these off fixes the issue, you can re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.

Fix 5: Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers and Discord

Outdated audio drivers can cause Discord to lose audio output entirely. On Windows, open Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your audio device, and select Update driver. On Mac, update the OS through System Settings.

If drivers are fine, reinstall Discord:

Uninstall Discord completely (Windows: Control Panel → Programs; Mac: drag from Applications).
Download the latest version from the official Discord website.
Reinstall and log in.

This resets all app files, including any corrupted audio configuration that settings reset might miss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I hear system sounds but not Discord?

Because Discord is using a different output device than your system sounds. Check the device selector at the bottom of the voice channel and the Voice & Video settings. Also check the volume mixer — Discord may be at 0% while other apps are at 100%.

Why can I hear some people but not others in Discord?

This is almost always a per-user volume issue. Right-click the user you can’t hear, move the User Volume slider to 100%, and make sure they aren’t muted. On their side, they might have a broken microphone or have Discord set to “Push to Talk” while not holding the key.

Does Discord have a global mute that affects audio?

Yes. If you mute a server (right-click the server icon → Mute Server), you won’t receive any notification sounds or voice audio from that server until you unmute it. The same applies to muting individual channels.

Can a VPN or network issue cause no audio in Discord?

Network issues usually cause disconnects or robotic-sounding audio, not complete silence. If you have a VPN, try turning it off temporarily. If the problem persists, it’s likely a device or settings issue, not network.

Why is Discord audio quiet even at 100% volume?

Check the per-user volume slider first. Then check the volume mixer — Windows has a separate slider for Discord that may be lower than your system volume. Finally, check if your headset has an inline volume wheel that’s turned down.

Does reinstalling Discord delete my friends and messages?

No. Your account data, friends, and message history are stored on Discord’s servers. Reinstalling only removes the app from your device. You’ll need to log in again, but everything else remains.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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