6 Ways to Fix the CS2 Microphone Not Working For Counter-Strike 2

Many CS2 players utilize microphones for team communication in Counter-Strike 2 because typing input is too slow. However, microphone issues can sometimes arise that prevent Counter-Strike 2 players from utilizing their mics. For example, a CS2 player said this on Reddit: “Everywhere else, my mic is working but not in CS2. I can see myself speaking in-game, but team can’t hear me in-game.” This is how you can fix the CS2 microphone not working on Windows 11/10 PCs.

Looking for more Counter-Strike 2 posts from KeenGamer?

• 8 Ways to Fix Counter-Strike 2 Not Launching on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the CS2 Black Screen Error on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the CS2 Unable to Establish Connection Error on a Windows PC
• 5 Ways to Fix the “Failed to Create D3D Device” Error for Counter-Strike 2 and Other Games
• 7 Ways to Fix the Counter-Strike 2 “VAC Was Unable to Verify Your Game Session” Error

Adjust Audio Settings in Counter-Strike 2

Adjusting audio settings in Counter-Strike 2 will likely fix the CS2 microphone not working for many players. For example, some players say they’ve got their microphones working in Counter-Strike 2 by enabling the Streamlined Push to Talk option. Try changing the CS2 audio settings like this.

1. Start Counter-Strike 2, and click the Settings Menu button.
2. Click the Audio settings tab.
3. Set the Voice/Microphone mode option to Press to talk.
4. Select Yes for the Streamlined Push to Talk option.
   
   

   The audio settings in Counter-Strike 2

5. Click the Keyboard/Mouse tab.
6. Next, click the Use Microphone option to set a keyboard key for activating the microphone. Then, try pressing that key during a match to activate the microphone.

The Use Microphone option

The Audio Device option in Counter-Strike 2 is set to Default unless changed. If you leave that option as it is, I recommend applying resolution three below for fixing a CS2 microphone not working. Alternatively, select the microphone you’re trying to utilize for Counter-Strike 2 on the Audio Device drop-down menu in the game.

Check the Voice Input Device Setting in Steam

Steam includes numerous voice input settings for microphones. Check that the Voice Input Device setting there matches the microphone you’re trying to use for Counter-Strike 2. This is how you can change Steam’s voice input option.

1. Launch the Steam client.
2. Click Steam and the Settings option on the menu that opens.
3. Select Voice to view those options.
   
   

   Steam voice settings

4. Now select the microphone you’re trying to utilize for Counter-Strike 2 on the Voice Input Device drop-down menu.
5. Increase the Input volume/gain setting to make your microphone louder for teammates to hear.
6. Select Off for the Voice Transmission Threshold setting.

Set Your Default Microphone in Windows

Counter-Strike 2 and Steam have a Default option for the voice input setting. If Audio Device is set to default in CS2 (it will be unless you’ve changed the setting), make sure the microphone you’re trying to utilize is the default one in Windows. This is how you can set your default Microphone in Windows 11/10.

1. Open the Windows tool for finding files by clicking the taskbar search button or box.
2. Input sound settings and select the result that matches.
3. Click Sound Control Panel in Windows 10. In Windows 11 Settings, click the More sound settings option.
   
   

   The Sound Control Settings navigation option in Windows 1

4. Select Recording to view audio input devices.
   
   

   The Recording tab

5. Next, select your microphone for Counter-Strike 2 and click Set Default.
6. Click Apply to set the default microphone.

Disable Exclusive Mode Settings

To prevent alternative apps from taking full control of your microphone, try disabling exclusive mode settings. I also recommend checking the audio level for your default microphone on its properties window. This is how you can disable the exclusive mode settings.

1. Open the Recording tab by going through steps one to four of the previous resolution.
2. Select your default microphone and click Properties.
3. Click on the Advanced tab.
4. Unselect the Allow apps to take exclusive control control of this device and Give exclusive mode applications priority checkboxes.
   
   

   The exclusive mode settings

5. Click Levels in the properties window.
6. Next, click the speaker button on the Levels tab if the microphone is muted.
7. Drag the slider for the microphone volume bar to the right.
8. Select Apply to save your new microphone settings.

Enable Microphone App Access in Windows

If the resolutions above don’t fix your CS2 microphone not working, check if microphone access is allowed for apps in Windows. You can then enable microphone app access if not allowed. These are steps for enabling microphone app access in Windows.

1. Activate the file search utility in Windows and input microphone.
2. Click Microphone privacy settings.
3. Toggle on the Microsoft access or Allow apps to access your microphone setting.
   
   

   The Allow apps to access your microphone settings

4. Scroll down and turn on the Allow desktop apps or Let desktop apps access your microphone setting.

Reconnect Your PC’s Microphone

Some players also say they got their microphones working for Counter-Strike 2 by reconnecting them. If you’re utilizing any kind of external microphone, try unplugging and reconnecting it with a different USB port if possible. Click Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager if you don’t see your microphone within that tool’s window after reconnecting it.

The Scan for hardware changes option

Other Possible Ways to Fix a CS2 Microphone Not Working

Don’t give up if your CS2 microphone still isn’t working after applying the potential solutions above. Here are some additional suggestions for fixing a CS2 microphone not working:

• Experiment by selecting alternative settings on the Default Format drop-down menu within the Advanced tab, which includes the exclusive mode options covered for resolution five.
• Update the driver for your microphone.
• Close background apps like Discord and Skype that can access your microphone with Task Manager before playing Counter-Strike 2.

I hope one of those potential solutions fixes the CS2 microphone not working on your PC. Fiddling with the microphone settings in Counter-Strike 2, Steam, or Windows, as outlined above, will usually resolve that issue. There could be a more general hardware issue with your microphone if the possible fixes above don’t work for you.