How Do I Make My Gaming Headset Microphone Louder?

Alexis Labadie Avatar

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:13 PM

When you begin using a gaming headset, you may want to know how do I make my gaming headset microphone louder. The answer remains relatively simple for each of the gaming consoles and computers as long as you are familiar with the software and Bluetooth or cables connectivity for quality microphone volume.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • To adjust the volume of your microphone on a PC or Mac, you need to go into your computer’s settings and sound settings icon.
  • If you use a PS console, you need to find the settings option and then audio devices.
  • For Xbox, select “Profile & System” followed by settings.

The best gaming headset also provides an adjustable microphone that should be close to your mouth, though you may need to adjust it or the mode being used. To understand how do gaming headsets work, check out our other article.

How to Make Gaming Headset Microphone Louder

When figuring out how to increase your microphone’s volume on different software, you should first understand how to access the settings menu for sound settings. Then, you will have to select your input device before adjusting the microphone level in the levels tab for noise software.

Insider Tip

Ask your fellow gamers if you aren’t sure if your microphone level is appropriate.

If you forget to switch to your headset’s microphone, you may only adjust the volume of the device’s built-in model. To learn more about gaming headsets, read “how do you make a gaming headset?

PC Gaming Method

  • Time to Complete: 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Tools Needed:
    • PC
    • Mouse or trackpad
    • Gaming headset
  • Steps: 5
  1. Enter your “Start” menu. Unfortunately, “Start” doesn’t state its name on some products, showing only the Windows logo. So, if you see four boxes in the rough shape of a flag, click on it. This note should bring up a list of different programs from which you choose. Of course, if you don’t know which program to go into, you can always start typing to search.
  2. Go to “Settings.” “Settings” allows you to alter different things about your computer, including its noise input and noise output.
  3. Go to “System” and select the “Sound option.” You should see options for gaming headsets, computer speakers, and microphones. On newer models, you may need to allow your applications to access the microphone.
  4. Look for “Choose a device for speaking or recording” under “Input.” When I looked at this menu on a PC, I could select my device from the “Sound” menu, which might be easier. However, you still need to choose to view settings for the device.
  5. Test your microphone by using the “Start recording” option. Make sure you talk. You can see the bar moving with your voice above the “Volume” bar. Increase your “Volume” to make your microphone louder, and you can decrease it if you need to. Repeat this step until the volume fits your preferences.

Mac Gaming Method

  • Time to Complete: 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Tools Needed:
    • Mouse or trackpad
    • Mac (iMac, Macbook, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air)
    • Gaming headset
  • Steps: 3
  1. Click the Apple logo in the upper right corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.” This menu works similarly to the “Start” menu on a PC. If you want to find your microphone settings easily, you can type “Microphone” into the search bar in the upper left corner note, allowing you to skip the sound selection.
  2. Select “Sound” and go to the “Input” tab. You should see an option for your gaming headset if your headset has one and for the computer’s microphone. You can see the “Input volume” and “Input level” in this tab. If you talk or type, you may note that the input level adjusts as you do so, but the volume level stays the same. You may also see an option to reduce ambient noise for your headphones with cables.
  3. Adjust your microphone’s “Input volume” level to suit your needs. This option shows the actual volume of the microphone as one of the Bluetooth or headset noise device properties, and you may need to adjust it if your microphone isn’t strong or your voice is quiet in this mode.

Playstation Gaming Method

  • Time to Complete: 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Tools Needed:
    • PS4/PS5
    • PS controller
    • PS compatible gaming headset with USB Bluetooth connectivity or cables
  • Steps: 4
  1. Navigate to the “Settings” menu. If you’re on the PS4, simply press and release the Playstation button before scrolling to the second option from the right, bringing you to “Settings.” For a PS5, press and hold the Playstation button and move up before scrolling over to “Settings.” This menu can be accessed from the “Games” or “Media” tabs. For both PS4 and PS5, the rest of the process should be the same from here.
  2. Scroll down to “Audio Devices.” This step will bring up the menu for whatever audio device you are using.
  3. Select “Adjust Microphone Level.” If this option remains dark, you do not have a connected microphone.
  4. Speak into the microphone and adjust the noise level until you are comfortable with the sound. If you are playing with others, you can ask whether you are the right volume for them. They most likely will answer honestly since they want to hear you as well as the quality game noise and each other.

Xbox Gaming Method

  • Time to Complete: 5 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Tools Needed:
    • Gaming headset compatible with your model
    • Xbox system (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox 360)
    • Xbox controller
  • Steps: 4
  1. Press the Xbox button to pull up the main menu. This process is similar to the one on PS4.
  2. Scroll to “Profile & system” before selecting “Settings.”
  3. Select “Devices & Accessories” and then your device. After doing so, you should see your gaming headset noise information here.
  4. Adjust the volume of the microphone while talking into it. Then, make sure you accept the noise settings before leaving the menu.

Warning

PS4s and PS5s use different methods to access the setting menu, but you can find information on these processes under the Playstation Gaming Method section.

F.A.Q.S

What do I do if my microphone volume is still low?

You can try moving the microphone closer to your face, reducing background noise, and ensuring the connection works. If you are using a wired headset, make sure your cables are plugged all the way into your controller or computer for quality audio input. If you have a USB one, check whether it is fully plugged in, and try a different port if it is.


Is the QC35 II Gaming Headset wired or wireless?

The QC35 II gaming headset is a pair of background noise canceling wired headphones. This feature means you need cables instead of Bluetooth.


What are Discord and TeamSpeak?

Discord and TeamSpeak allow you to create channels for communicating with other players. In addition, these two quality applications provide voice connection services for gamers, and you will see a speaker icon when you are unmuted and making noise.



STAT: To configure PS5 audio settings, go to the home screen and select Settings > Sound. (source)

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