Trouble hearing voice chat during Discord streams of Valorant can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to follow the action. Let’s break down why this happens and how to fix it.
Common Causes of Discord Stream Audio Issues
The most frequent culprit is Discord’s stream settings not properly capturing the game’s audio channels. Valorant uses separate audio channels for game sounds and voice chat, and sometimes Discord doesn’t pick up both simultaneously. Think of it like trying to listen to two radio stations at once – you need the right receiver settings to hear both clearly.
Quick Fixes to Try First
Before diving into more complex solutions, start with these simple steps:
1. Check Discord’s stream settings and make sure “Stream game audio” is enabled
2. Verify that Desktop Audio isn’t muted in Discord
3. Confirm your Windows audio settings aren’t filtering out voice chat
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If you’re still having issues, here’s a deeper dive into more comprehensive solutions:
Audio Routing Configuration
Open your Windows sound settings and ensure Valorant’s voice chat isn’t being directed to a different output than your main game audio. It’s like having two separate volume controls – both need to be properly adjusted to hear everything.
Discord Audio Settings
In Discord’s Voice & Video settings, try toggling between different audio subsystems. Some users find switching from Standard to Legacy improves voice chat capture during streams. Also, ensure your input/output devices are correctly set.
Valorant-Specific Solutions
Within Valorant’s audio settings, there’s a specific fix that often works:
1. Open Valorant settings
2. Navigate to Audio
3. Set “Output Configuration” to Stereo
4. Adjust voice chat volume separately from master volume
The Nuclear Option
If nothing else works, try this full reset:
1. Close both Discord and Valorant
2. Clear Discord’s cache
3. Restart your computer
4. Launch Discord first, then Valorant
Remember, audio issues can sometimes be related to your system’s resources. If you’re streaming at high quality while running other programs, your computer might struggle to handle all audio channels properly. Consider lowering your stream quality or closing unnecessary applications.
Preventing Future Issues
To avoid these problems in the future, create a pre-stream checklist:
– Test audio levels before going live
– Verify all audio channels are properly routed
– Keep Discord and Valorant updated
– Monitor system resource usage
These solutions should help you get back to hearing everything clearly during your Valorant streams. If problems persist, remember that Discord regularly updates its software, so checking for updates in 2025 might reveal new fixes for these audio challenges.
