MICROPHONE VOLUME LOWERING BUG (WORKAROUND)

[Blast]

I wanted to make this to see if anyone else has experienced this issue too. I have done everything I could have to alleviate my issues. But I need to explain.

When playing Helldivers 2, recording and streaming, I began to notice that my voice volume was severely low. I kept checking to see what was happening, making changes to my recording software, but then I found it.

When I speak too loud, my input volume in Windows goes down when playing Helldivers 2. No other game does this, except Halo: MCC.

If I snap my fingers, my 100% volume goes to 87, then 72, then 50, then 32, then it stops.

I have disabled the "allow applications to take exclusive control over this device" in my control panel's Sound settings, and turned off the only audio-enhancing setting that my microphone had with Windows 11 (which was the Voice Focus Enhancement). In Steam's settings, I disabled the Automatic gain control. I have even uninstalled the drivers, reinstalled them, restarted the computer, updated my computer, and downloaded drivers. I went back into control panel, disabled the "reduce volume" setting in the Communications tab, and it still happens.

I contacted Arrowhead support about this, and it's been so unhelpful. She said to download the G-Hub Logitech software, since my microphone is a Blue Snowball, but that software didn't even detect my microphone.

Again, no other games do this. CS2, TF2, Minecraft, Lethal Company, and all other games I play. Only Helldivers 2 and Halo: MCC.

I have tweaked setting after setting with my audio, and nothing has changed.


I recently did a fresh install of windows with an installation media (USB), AND IT STILL DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. I DID A FRESH INSTALL OF WINDOWS, DOWNLOADED THE GAME IMMEDIATELY, AND IT STILL HAPPENED WITH NO ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE RUNNING.

I have tried another microphone, a Blue Yeti, however it still happened.

During my testing, I found something interesting. I plugged in an AUX microphone that my headset uses (I have a HyperX Cloud Alpha headset) and it appeared on my sound settings. I had my Blue Snowball default for audio, and Windows put the HyperX microphone default for communications.

What I found was shocking.

In that configuration, THE ISSUE DIDN'T HAPPEN.

So I did additional testing. I booted up Helldivers 2, specified in the volume mixer to use my Blue Snowball, and connected the stupid AUX microphone to the back of my computer (lol). I made sure that the Snowball was being used, and the issue didn't happen.

So, what I have deduced is that Helldivers doesn't seem to like the default communication device for inputs.

I have my microphone for Helldivers 2 set to my Webcam, and the issue is persistent, however, the microphone lowers to 60% as opposed to my Blue Snowball which goes down to 30%. So until they get this fixed, I cannot use my main microphone for the game.


I have checked Halo: MCC and the problem occurs with whatever device is default for communication or whatever you manually select in the settings. Still have no word on any ETA for it being fixed.

I have contacted Arrowhead about these microphone issues, however, I was told they would look into it.

Hopefully this helps anyone also facing the same problems.