Friends can't hear me unless the Game Bar is actively open

Hi, Patrick my name is Oskayra, and will be a pleasure help you

It's definitely concerning that your friends can't hear you in party chat unless the Game Bar is open. This seems to be a specific issue with the Game Bar and not your microphone itself, as evidenced by your friend hearing you in Gears 4's in-game chat. Here are some additional steps you can try to troubleshoot the problem:

Check Microphone Permissions:

Ensure the Game Bar has permission to access your microphone.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
Make sure the toggle for "Game Bar" is turned "On".

Update Game Bar:

An outdated Game Bar might have bugs impacting microphone functionality.
Open the Microsoft Store app.
Click on Library > Get updates.
Check if any updates are available for the Game Bar. Install them if necessary.

Disable Overlays:

Some overlays from other applications can interfere with the Game Bar's microphone functionality.
Close any overlays you might be running, such as Discord or other game launchers.

Reset Game Bar Settings:

This will reset all Game Bar settings to default, potentially resolving any configuration issues.
Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Locate the Game Bar app.
Click on Advanced options (three dots).
Select Reset.

Check for Conflicting Drivers:

Sometimes, other audio drivers can conflict with the Game Bar's microphone functionality.
Open Device Manager.
Expand the "Audio inputs and outputs" section.
Right-click on any other audio devices you're not using and select "Disable device".

Update Windows:

An outdated Windows system might have compatibility issues with the Game Bar.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Check for updates and install them if available.

Create a New Audio Profile:

This can sometimes resolve microphone issues related to corrupted audio profiles.
Go to Settings > System > Sound.
Click on "Manage sound devices".
Select your microphone and click on "Properties".
Go to the "Advanced" tab.
Click on "Properties" under "Default Format".
Select a different format and click "Apply".
Do the same for "Spatial sound" and "Test" the microphone to see if it works.

Here you have more and detailed information about mic issues with the game bar

https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/6d7e055d-8e2e-4dc5-88ec-cc9201b611ad

Information source (Credits): Note: The credits for this message go to the Independent advisor Zadee C. since his publication was the basis for obtaining said information,. I hope this information has been useful to you.

I really hope your problem has been fixed with my help, if it works let me know and have a nice day. Oskayra

The problem is not Xbox it self as unless you click on it and open it there is noproblem.

BUT the Xbox Game Bar attacks you with out you activating it.

You should be able to manually check Xbox game bar, for me it shows game bar and Xbox currently in use

Hey Cliff,

Can we get some other options to fix this? Tried everything and still having the same issue.

Note I would recommend having an xbox party open while doing this process so you can see where it is saying "currently in use" and also having someone else in the party so you can test whether they can hear you or not during and after the steps.