How to fix audio reduction when using voice chat?

Question

Hi, I've been experiencing an ongoing issue with my audio whenever using any sort of voice chat. Right when I speak or join a call on an app such as discord the volume lowers on everything else running on my pc. I've already tried several things using the internet to troubleshoot settings in discord and the pc itself. This includes turning off attenuation in discord, disabling audio enhancements and selecting the "do nothing" option in the communications tab in the windows sound panel, and adjusting different volumes. However nothing has been working and I'm unsure where to go from here.

Answer 1

Hi, thankyou for the feedback. I tried the first 3 suggestions in which I have tried them before and do not work even after rebooting my pc. I have been using spotify to test the audio and my audio lowered just as on other applications when entering the recording tab of the sound panel for my headset. I'm thinking this issue is outside of just discord as I had this happen in voice chats for different games, as well as it may be a more recording-related issue. I also tried to update my drivers in which there were two options for my headset. The main does not have the audio driver suggestion under it and the one labeled "hands free" after the device name I updated with the only option which did not help. As far as the list of audio controlling softwares all I have seen is an application on my computer labeled "REALTEK Bluetooth Driver" but I'm unsure if I should try uninstalling that as there is no other option in settings. As far as the other steps go I'n trying to avoid switching to other platforms but I don't think it would help as this issue seems to be beyond just discord. Additionally I don't think my profile was corrupted because I've had this issue since I got my PC a couple of years ago and I've just dealt with the issue continuing. Thankyou for the help and if you have further suggestions please let me know.

Answer 2

Hello! Thank you for reaching out. I am Tin, an independent advisor, and glad to assist you today with this issue. It sounds like you've exhausted all the common and recommended fixes, and yet the issues persist. Your audio still lowers when you speak or enter voice chat even after disabling attenuation and setting the "Do nothing" option under Communications. Here are some less discussed troubleshooting measures or very advanced ones you can try:

1. Ensure that the "Communications" tab is properly applied

Sometimes, Windows can silently override the "Do nothing" option. To make sure:

Right-click the volume icon in the taskbar → Sounds → Go to the Communications tab.

Select "Do nothing".

Click Apply, then OK.

Restart your PC (important: settings may not take full effect until rebooted).

2. Check the enhancements of your actual output device

Each device may have enabled individual enhancements even if system-wide are off:

Control Panel -> Sound -> Playback tab. Right-click your output device -> Properties. Disable all enhancements on the Enhancements or Advanced tab. Also, try unchecking "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device." Click Apply, then OK. Do the same for your microphone (Recording tab).

3. Check Discord Input Sensitivity

Sometimes Discord also varies the system audio on its own even with attenuation disabled:

In Discord go to User Settings > Voice & Video. Go to the Input Sensitivity section in the menu. Disable "Automatically determine input sensitivity" and set it manually manually. Optionally disable Noise Suppression, Echo Cancellation, and Automatic Gain Control to see if it helps.

4. Try a different audio driver

Sometimes these Realtek, Nahimic, DTS, or other third-party audio suites interfere.

Open Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click your main audio driver -> select Update driver -> Browse my computer > Let me pick. Select "High Definition Audio Device" (generic Windows driver), but not Realtek or other branded one. Reboot and test again. You can always roll back to the previous driver if needed.

Do not forget to disconnect any other cables you have at that moment.

5. Disable audio controlling software (like Realtek Audio Console, Dolby, Waves MaxxAudio)

Some OEM utilities come integrated with the setting of voice priorities, even if they are not visible in Windows Sound:

Open Task Manager > Startup to check for any running background audio apps, then temporary disable them. Also search your system tray or Windows search for something like:

Realtek Audio Console

Dell MaxxAudio

Nahimic

Dolby Atmos or Dolby Audio

ASUS Sonic Studio

Disable any of their "smart volume," "voice clarity," or "communication mode" features.

6. Use a different voice chat app for testing

Try Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or even the Xbox Game Bar voice chat. If the problem occurs there too, you can conclude that it may be an issue at the system level. If not, the problem could be with the way Discord interacts with your device drivers.

7. Check for motherboard-specific utilities or audio profiles

Some motherboard companies installed it like: MSI Nahimic; ASUS Sonic Studio or Sonic Radar; Gigabyte Sound Blaster; or Smart Audio programs: These probably aren't available as separate applications yet might interfere in the sound mixing behavior. You can remove those under Apps & Features or disable them from startup.

8. As a last resort: try creating a fresh Windows user profile

Sometimes corrupted user profiles are responsible for strange sound behaviors. Try: Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Add a local user account. Log in as that user and test voice chat.

Please try these steps and let me know how it goes. If you run into any issues, just reply back with the details.

Best regards,

Tin