Fix Sea of Thieves Voice Chat Not Working on PC

If your voice chat in Sea of Thieves on PC is not working, the fix usually involves checking your Windows microphone privacy settings, setting the correct default recording device, and verifying the in-game voice chat settings. This guide walks you through each step, from the most common causes to more advanced fixes, so you can get back to talking with your crew.

Why Voice Chat Fails on PC

Sea of Thieves relies on your PC’s default recording device and Windows privacy permissions. The game itself does not have a built-in voice chat server; it uses your system’s audio settings to transmit your voice. When voice chat stops working, it’s almost always one of these three things:

• Windows privacy settings block the game from accessing your microphone.
• The wrong input device is selected as the default in Windows or in the game.
• In-game settings have voice chat disabled or set to push-to-talk when you expect voice-activated.

Step 1: Check Windows Microphone Privacy

Windows 10 and 11 have a privacy layer that can block desktop apps from using your mic. Even if your mic works in other apps, Sea of Thieves may be denied access.

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to Privacy & Security (Windows 11) or Privacy (Windows 10).
3. Select Microphone from the left sidebar.
4. Make sure Microphone access is turned On.
5. Scroll down and ensure Let apps access your microphone is On.
6. Check the list of apps and confirm Sea of Thieves is allowed. If it’s not listed, it may be under Let desktop apps access your microphone – make sure that is also On.

After changing these settings, restart Sea of Thieves. This single step resolves a large portion of voice chat issues on PC.

Step 2: Set the Correct Default Recording Device

Sea of Thieves uses the default input device set in Windows. If you have multiple microphones (e.g., a headset and a webcam mic), the game may pick the wrong one.

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Sound settings (or Open Sound settings).
2. Under Input, choose the microphone you intend to use from the drop-down menu.
3. Speak into the mic and check the Test microphone bar – it should move.
4. If you have multiple mics, select the one that responds.

Also, in the old Control Panel sound settings, you can set the default device. Right-click the speaker icon, select Sounds, go to the Recording tab, right-click your mic, and choose Set as Default Device. This ensures the game uses the correct input.

Step 3: Verify In-Game Voice Chat Settings

Sea of Thieves has its own voice chat options that can override Windows settings.

1. Launch Sea of Thieves and go to Settings (gear icon).
2. Select the Audio tab.
3. Ensure Voice Chat is set to Enabled.
4. Check the Voice Chat Mode: choose Push to Talk or Voice Activated.
5. If you select Push to Talk, make sure the Push to Talk Key is set to a key you can press easily (default is usually the “.” key or “T”).
6. Set Output Device to your headset or speakers, and Input Device to your microphone.

If you use push-to-talk, test it by pressing the key while speaking – you should see your name highlighted in the crew chat UI.

Step 4: Check the Xbox Game Bar and Overlay Conflicts

Sea of Thieves is a Microsoft Store game and uses Xbox services. The Xbox Game Bar can sometimes interfere with voice chat or mute your mic.

1. Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
2. Click the Settings (gear) icon in the Game Bar.
3. Go to the Capturing tab and check the Audio section.
4. Make sure the correct microphone is selected and the volume is not muted.
5. Also, in the Game Bar’s Widgets menu, you can open the Audio widget to see if your mic is muted.

Some players find that disabling the Game Bar entirely helps, but that is a last resort. Instead, ensure it is not set to mute your microphone.

Step 5: Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause voice chat to fail. This is less common but worth checking if other steps fail.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select it).
2. Expand Audio inputs and outputs and Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click your microphone and headset devices and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
5. If no update is found, right-click and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC – Windows will reinstall the driver.

For USB headsets, try a different USB port. For 3.5mm jacks, ensure they are plugged into the correct ports (usually pink for mic).

Common Misconceptions and Extra Tips

Many players assume that voice chat is server-side or that they are muted by other players. In reality, most issues are local. Here are a few additional things to check:

• NAT type: Sea of Thieves uses peer-to-peer voice, so a strict NAT can prevent voice from working. Check your network settings – if you have a strict NAT, you may need to enable UPnP or port forwarding on your router.
• Windows Sonic or spatial sound: Some users report that spatial sound settings interfere with voice. Try disabling it in Sound settings.
• Game bar recordings: If you have background recording enabled, it may use the mic and cause conflicts.
• Reinstall the game: If nothing works, resetting the app from Windows Settings (Apps > Sea of Thieves > Advanced options > Reset) can fix corrupted files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I hear others but they can’t hear me?

This usually means your output is fine, but your input is not being captured. Check your Windows default recording device and the in-game input device. Also ensure your microphone is not muted in Windows or on the device itself.

My mic works in Discord but not in Sea of Thieves – why?

Discord often uses its own input settings, while Sea of Thieves uses the Windows default. If your mic works in Discord, it’s likely a privacy or default device issue. Follow Steps 1 and 2 above.

Do I need to change my NAT type for voice chat?

Yes, a strict NAT can block peer-to-peer voice connections. Enabling UPnP on your router or setting up port forwarding for Sea of Thieves can help. You can check your NAT type in the game’s network settings.

What is the default push-to-talk key in Sea of Thieves?

The default push-to-talk key is the “.” (period) key on your keyboard. You can change it in Settings > Audio > Push to Talk Key.

Can I use voice chat while in a party on Xbox?

If you are in an Xbox party, you are using party chat, not game chat. To talk in game, switch to game chat by pressing the Xbox button, going to Parties & chats, and leaving the party or switching to game chat.

Why does my voice chat work in the lobby but not in game?

This could be a temporary server issue or a problem with the specific session. Try leaving and rejoining the server. If it persists, check your firewall – Sea of Thieves needs certain ports open for voice.

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