Xbox Game bar: Microphone audio won't go through unless I'm screaming

Hello, first it's a pleasure to be able to help you today.

My name is welcome to the community.

Hello Stark, your Laptop is Windows 10 or 11, have you tried some procedure on your PC, how to check system updates and the Microsoft store, have you also tried uninstalling the App Companion and the Xbox App from your PC and reinstalling?

Hello Georges

I have uninstalled and reinstalled both the companion app and Xbox app from my laptop. I have also run windows troubleshoot to no avail. I also reset the data for game bar, with no results there either.

I don't have any other microphones to test with unfortunately, I'm using the mic on my headset. Reinstalling the game bar made no difference either.

I checked through the capture settings and it only seems to mute me when the "audio to record" is set to "all" ( i.e game audio, microphone, all other apps ), but not when it's set to "game" ( game audio + mic ). But the issue with this setting is that I want my discord calls / party members to be heard in the clips and recordings too. So I'm very much at a loss

Thank you for verifying! Have you tried changing your default microphone in both the Xbox app and the Xbox Game Bar?

Xbox Game Bar:

• Open the Xbox Game Bar
  
• Go to your "Audio" widget
  
• Select the "Voice" tab
  
• Change your "WINDOWS DEFAULT INPUT" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  
• Change your "DEFAULT COMMUNICATIONS OUTPUT" and your "DEFAULT COMMUNICATIONS INPUT" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  
• Scroll down to "More Settings"
  
• Click "Xbox Party Chat"
  
• Change your "AUDIO OUTPUT" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  
• Change your "AUDIO INPUT" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  

Verify that "push to talk" is not enabled

Xbox app:

• Open the Xbox app
  
• Click your profile icon at the top right corner of the page
  
• Select "Settings"
  
• Select "Audio"
  
• Set your default "Input device" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  
• Set your default "Output device" to the headset or microphone you'd like to use.
  

Verify that "push to talk" is not enabled

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