Home / Discord setup

Get your microphone ready for Discord.

Work through the checks in order. Use Discord’s own Mic Test; this page never records your microphone.

1

Connect and unmute

Plug in the microphone or interface with a data cable. Check the physical mute, interface gain and any required phantom power.

Check your full connection →

2

Give the app microphone permission

Confirm the microphone works in your operating system input test. Then allow Discord microphone access. A browser call also needs permission for Discord in that browser.

Fix an input that is not detected →

3

Choose both devices

In Discord User Settings → Voice & Video, choose the microphone or interface you intend to use. Choose your headphones as output. Avoid a loopback, stream mix or desktop-audio input.

Separate microphone and desktop audio →

4

Choose an input mode

Use Voice Activity for hands-free chat or Push to Talk for deliberate control. Assign a reachable key and test it while the game has focus.

Choose and test your input mode →

5

Run Discord Mic Test

Use Mic Test in Voice & Video. Speak full phrases at your normal position. If starts or endings disappear, compare automatic sensitivity, a manual threshold and Push to Talk one at a time.

Repair clipped words →

6

Verify in the actual call

Check your voice with a party member, then mute and confirm that chat stops receiving it. If your own voice returns late, switch from software playback to the documented direct-monitor or sidetone path.

Find your monitoring path →

Using Discord on a Mac with an XLR audio interface? Discord documents an input limitation for that specific path. Read the Mac interface check and alternative connection.