Check that voice is on in the game and that Windows lets the game use your microphone. Then check your push to talk key. In Garry's Mod you hold X to talk by default.
Hold the Right Key
Garry's Mod is push to talk. You hold a key while you speak and let go when you're done.
The default key is X. Mouse button 5, the forward side button on many mice, also works.
To change it, open Options from the main menu, go to the Keyboard tab, and find Use voice communication. Or type this in the console, swapping v for any key:
bind v +voicerecordSome servers add their own voice controls. Check the server's help menu if the default key does nothing.
Turn Voice On in the Game
Open the Voice Tab
On the main menu, click Options and open the Voice tab.
Enable Voice
Tick Enable voice in this game.
Test Your Mic
Click Test Microphone and talk. The meter should move as you speak. Click Stop Microphone Test when done.
Raise the Volume
If the meter barely moves, raise Voice transmit volume or tick Boost microphone gain.
You can also open the console and type voice_enable 1. If voice_enable is 0, you can't talk and you can't hear anyone either.
The Problems menu warns you if your voice_fadeouttime setting isn't the default, and offers a quick fix. Use it if you see that warning.
Let Windows Share Your Microphone
Windows can block desktop apps from the microphone. When it does, the game hears silence and the test meter never moves.
- Open Settings, then Privacy & security, then Microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access.
- Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
- Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
Restart Garry's Mod after you change these.
Pick the Right Microphone
If you have a headset and a webcam, the game might be listening to the wrong one.
Set the Windows Default
Open Settings, then System, then Sound. Under Input, pick your microphone. On Windows 10 the box is called Choose your input device.
Check Steam's Voice Settings
In Steam, open Settings, then Voice. Make sure the voice input device is the same microphone.
Restart the Game
Close Garry's Mod fully and open it again so it picks up the change.
Hear Yourself to Test
Type voice_loopback 1 in the console, then hold your talk key in a game. You hear your own voice as others would. Type voice_loopback 0 to turn it off.
If you hear yourself but nobody else can, your mic works. The problem is on the server's side. See the next section.
Others Can't Hear You on a Server
Your mic can work and players still not hear you. Common reasons on roleplay servers:
- Voice is local. On DarkRP servers, only players near you hear you. Walk up to the person.
- You're muted. A player can mute you from the scoreboard, and staff can mute you for the whole server.
- The server turns voice off. Some servers disable voice chat or limit it to certain jobs or teams.
You Can't Hear Anyone
Check these in the console:
| Command | What to check |
|---|---|
voice_enable 1 | Voice chat on. At 0 you hear nobody. |
voice_scale 1 | Volume of other players. At 0 they're silent. |
snd_restart | Restarts the game's sound if all audio cuts out. |
Also check the Voice receive volume slider in the Voice tab, and that you haven't muted the player on the scoreboard.
If the game freezes or closes when you open voice options, go to Garry's Mod Keeps Crashing. For more audio commands, see the console commands guide.
Want a server to try it on? Justified is a Garry's Mod DarkRP server: justified.gg.
