What the sources establish
The developer FAQ describes distance-based proximity voice and says a microphone is optional. Microsoft documents microphone access permissions for Windows desktop apps.
Older FAQ · Edited 22 Sep 2026 ↗Microsoft support · Checked 23 Oct 2026 ↗Sourced details and our suggested next steps follow. Linked reports are observations, not verified fixes.
01 Test the microphone outside the run
Use a local recording or the input meter in Windows sound settings to check that the intended microphone captures your voice. Inspect the headset's physical mute control and chosen input device. If this test fails, address capture first. If it succeeds, write that down; it narrows the problem without proving that the game is using the same input.
02 Check permission deliberately
In Windows 11, review Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone. Microsoft's guide explains device access, app access and the desktop-app access setting. Read what the setting controls before changing it. The game may not appear as an individual Store-app toggle. This is a general Windows check, not evidence that permissions caused your particular in-game issue.
03 Run a nearby, two-way test
With a cooperating teammate, choose a clearly identifiable location and test one speaker at a time while close together. Confirm that the listener can hear other game audio through the intended output. Read the current game's voice and input options rather than assuming a push-to-talk key. Then compare nearby and separated positions. Change one variable at a time so you know what changed the result.
04 Report the direction of failure
Useful descriptions include ‘I hear them; they cannot hear me’ or ‘both local microphone tests pass; neither player hears the other nearby’. Include input/output device names, build and tested settings in your private report. Do not upload a recording of another player without their agreement. If the issue persists, use an agreed alternative for that session instead of repeatedly changing settings mid-run.
Limits of this guide
No voice key binding, exact audible range or game-specific guaranteed fix is established here. Settings can differ by Windows and game build.