Game bar/Console Companion Issues

I have 2 issues, I am going to split this question in half to address each one separately and then go through what I have done to try to fix:

1. Both the gamebar and console companion will sporatically (at least once per day) get stuck connecting to a party and will not allow me to join or start a party.

Here's what I have done to try to fix the issue:

-repair, and terminate xbox apps (both in app settings and in task manager) If I reset game bar it acts as if I no longer have game bar and I have to restart my PC and reinstall.

-open ports for xbox in my router settings and make sure that teredo is all set (it is) even tried the fix button on the xbox networking screen. NAT is OPEN.

-Ensured that firewall settings are not blocking the game bar or xbox.

2. My microphone plugged into a usb 3.0 interface shows up as an input when the party works but does not produce any sound (other inputs work headset for example). I am using a universal audio apollo duo USB and it works for discord and other applications.

Here's what I have done to try to fix this issue:

-check mic privacy settings and ensure that the app is allowed to use the mic

-check the sample rate (changed 10 times to everything I could think of)

-I have voicemod which allows me to modify my voice, and use line (voicemod) as an input. If I have my headset microphone to voicemod to game bar it works, but if I have the audio interface to voicemod to game bar it doesnt.

-Tried uninstalling all drivers and reinstalling for the audio interface.

-Change USB port that the interface is in (all usb 3.0s)

-toggle exclusive mode on and off in the advance settings in sound control panel

-Make it the system default input.

I am sure that both lists of steps I have taken are longer, but I have tried so many things it's hard to remember. I just want to be able to play with my xbox friends and be able to talk to them. I also am trying to do this while I am streaming, so especially
for the connection issues, restarting is not always a realistic step I can take.

If you guys help me here, I can't tell you how grateful I will be. I have been banging my head against a wall a total of about 20 hours just trying to get this working.

Please help!!!

***Moved from: Gaming on Windows 10***

:)