DayZ microphone / voice chat not working on Windows 11

Issue: My microphone does not work in DayZ, despite working perfectly in every other application.

Description of the problem

I’ve had this problem for several weeks. My microphone has never worked in DayZ on this PC.

I can hear other players talking, but nobody can hear me.

My push-to-talk key is Caps Lock. When I press it, the speaking icon appears on screen, so DayZ recognises that I’m pressing the correct key. However, the voice activity meter does not move at all when I speak.

This happens on both official vanilla servers and modded servers.

My microphones and PC

I have tested two different microphones:

• Astro A50X headset microphone.

• HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone.

Both microphones work perfectly in:

• Windows microphone testing.

• Discord.

• Steam’s built-in microphone test.

• Other applications and games, including Arma 3.

My PC is running Windows 11 64-bit, with an AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT graphics card and AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor.

Everything I have tried

I have spent a considerable amount of time troubleshooting this issue and have completed the following:

Microphone and Windows settings

• Checked Windows microphone permissions.

• Confirmed desktop applications are allowed to access the microphone.

• Tested both microphones.

• Set the correct microphone as the default recording device.

• Tested with other recording devices disabled.

• Disabled exclusive mode.

• Checked microphone sample rates.

• Checked Windows audio services.

• Checked Device Manager for driver errors.

Steam and DayZ settings

• Tested Steam’s microphone test successfully.

• Checked DayZ push-to-talk and voice activation settings.

• Checked and compared configuration files with a friend whose microphone works in DayZ.

• Checked the Caps Lock key binding.

• Tried launching DayZ directly through Steam instead of DZSA Launcher.

• Tested with Steam and DayZ administrator settings.

Reinstallation and configuration

• Renamed DayZ configuration files to generate fresh ones.

• Installed and tested DayZ Experimental.

• Followed support instructions to copy the Experimental configuration files into the normal DayZ configuration folder.

• Unsubscribed from all mods.

• Completely uninstalled DayZ.

• Deleted the remaining installation and configuration folders.

• Reinstalled DayZ from scratch.

None of these steps fixed the problem.

Other software and security checks

• Uninstalled SteelSeries GG/Sonar and Voicemod.

• Checked Norton 360 for Gamers permissions.

• Tested with Norton SafeCam microphone protection disabled.

• Disabled AMD microphone recording and microphone suppression features.

• Disabled Steam, Discord and AMD overlays.

• Closed OBS and Razer Cortex.

• Tested with a clean Windows boot.

• Tested using a separate Windows user account.

Malwarebytes initially detected three items, including an unfamiliar startup shortcut identified as Trojan.Loader.LNK.Generic. All three detections were quarantined. A subsequent Malwarebytes deep scan found zero threats.

What makes this issue unusual

The microphones themselves are not faulty. They work correctly everywhere else on my PC.

DayZ recognises my push-to-talk key, but the game’s voice activity meter does not detect any microphone input whatsoever.

I can hear other players, so receiving voice chat works. The problem appears to be specifically with DayZ receiving my microphone input.

I have also compared my settings with a friend who uses Windows 11 and a different microphone. Their DayZ voice chat works correctly with the same relevant in-game settings.

What I am asking the developers

Could you please investigate why DayZ is not detecting microphone input on my system?

I have followed the troubleshooting instructions provided by Bohemia Support, including a complete reinstall and the DayZ Experimental configuration test, without success.

I would particularly appreciate investigation into whether there is a problem with DayZ’s voice input system, microphone detection or compatibility with certain Windows 11 audio devices.

I am happy to provide additional logs, diagnostic reports or carry out specific tests if required.

I have spent weeks trying to resolve this and would really appreciate some help getting this issue fixed.

Thank you.

N/A