Game volume comes through speakers and voice chat comes through headphones

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TheSodaCow Jan 4, 2017 @ 3:48pm

For some reason, when I am in a call with my friends on Skype, Discord, Steam Voice chat, etc, my game/video volume comes through my speakers and my friends' voices are coming through my headphones. I have spent a while searching the internet and messing with sound settings, but I couldn't find any solutions. When I try to set my headphones as the default sound device, it just does nothing. Disabling my speakers just acts as a mute for my game, as it still doesn't come through my headphones. My headphones are, for some reason, labeled as "Communication Headphones" in the sound settings, so I don't know if that's the problem, or if that's just because it is stuck at being the "Communications Device." I am currently running Windows 7.

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Showing 1-12 of 12 comments

The Giving One Jan 4, 2017 @ 3:51pm

I cannot say it is related, but Skype has been known to cause some issues with Steam for some users.

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/364041776189285929/?ctp=2#c364041776189526454
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/350540974008279648/?ctp=2#c350540974008613271
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/35221031552090106/#c392183857630693587

And it is on the list for that reason.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

When was the last time you went to the official website of the manufacturer of that motherboard or computer, and checked for official device driver updates ?

Last edited by The Giving One; Jan 4, 2017 @ 3:52pm

TheSodaCow Jan 4, 2017 @ 4:18pm

Well I never have gone to the official website of hp, but I just did and there didn't seem to be any updates for my driver that would be relevant to the situation. Also, the problem isn't just with steam and skype. When I watch a youtube video, or something like that, it also goes through my speakers when I am in a call. In addition, I have also used alternatives to skype such as Discord and steam's voice chat, same problem. With this, I assume the problem is with my audio settings on the computer. Also, I have Turtlebeach headphones, I don't know if that is important to this or not.

The Giving One Jan 4, 2017 @ 4:25pm

Can you test the issue using different headphones ? I assume you tried that.

Originally posted by TheSodaCow:
Well I never have gone to the official website of hp, but I just did and there didn't seem to be any updates for my driver that would be relevant to the situation.

It may not seem relevant to the situation, but if there are any device driver updates on HP for any devices (not just audio, for example), then I suggest you download them and install them.

Especially considering it is not just with Steam, as you seem to say above. Have you checked your BIOS settings also, or possible BIOS updates that may be related to the audio issue ?

Updating the BIOS is probably not a solution, so take that one with care if you consider it.

Got any other software installed that was on the list I linked to you ?

And consider this...

Depending on how hardware connects to your computer, there can be other devices that are related to the issue.

For example only, if a device connects using USB, then checking for USB driver updates would be suggested also. Just as an example.

TheSodaCow Jan 4, 2017 @ 4:36pm

Actually, it seems to be that I already have the driver updates, it is just that just that the website is listing them. The ones listed are from 2012 anyway, so chances are I already have them (my computer automatically updates things).

The Giving One Jan 4, 2017 @ 4:40pm

Originally posted by TheSodaCow:
Actually, it seems to be that I already have the driver updates, it is just that just that the website is listing them. The ones listed are from 2012 anyway, so chances are I already have them (my computer automatically updates things).

Seems that you are talking about Windows update, unless you have an HP process that automatically updates your device drivers.

If you use Windows update to update your drivers, then I don't suggest you do that. Just in case you are.

What about my other questions, and that which was concerning the list ?

Do you have GeForce Experience installed, and the share option in the settings as enabled ?

Have you checked all your audio enhancement settings, where they may apply depending on your exact device of course.

Post the model and model number of this computer, please. Also, when you post your OS, always state if it is 32 or 64 bit also.

TheSodaCow Jan 4, 2017 @ 5:34pm

Well first, thanks for all of the help and replying!

Anyways first, I looked through the list and I did not find any other software that I have on that list.

Then, I do have GeForce Experience installed, but my video card does not seem to meet the requirements to have the share option available.

Yes, I have gone through all of my audio enhancement settings.

My Windows 7 computer is a 64 bit, my model is HP Pavilion HPE h8-1360t CTO Desktop PC, and my model number is B4J27AV

The Giving One Jan 4, 2017 @ 6:05pm

Thanks for the kind words. I again cannot say it is related, but this thread (that I linked the post in above that seemed to be the final admition of the fix) seems very similar to your situation.

The user had a voice chat problem, and Skype was indeed the cause of it apparently.

See this thread and the previous posts, please. Maybe it will help. You can always reinstall Skype later if you find that is not causing this, after all.

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/350540974008279648/?ctp=2#c350540974008613271

Always restart your computer after you uninstall software from it, then test the issue again, but only after a restart. This is if you decide to uninstall Skype.

Meanwhile, I will take a look at the HP you posted about on HP's website.

Koivisto Jan 4, 2017 @ 6:12pm

go computer settings look

TheSodaCow Jan 5, 2017 @ 2:11pm

Alright, once I get a chance (probably tomorrow) I'll uninstall Skype and see what that does, I just have 2 questions though.

Does uninstalling Skype delete my Skype account? (I know this sounds stupid, as it most likely doesn't, but I just want to be sure)

And would Norton 360 anti-virus have anything to do with this? I am planning to get rid of it soon, as I have had many problems with Norton, but I am just wondering.

The Giving One Jan 7, 2017 @ 8:39am

Originally posted by TheSodaCow:
And would Norton 360 anti-virus have anything to do with this? I am planning to get rid of it soon, as I have had many problems with Norton, but I am just wondering.

Sorry for the late reply, but I cannot say that Norton is related to this audio issue you have now but I can tell you that Norton AV and child processes of Norton that may be running in the background (Norton Online Backup is one that comes to mind) really hate Steam and cause all kinds of issues.

Not sure how Norton is these days, but I know people used to say they would rather have a virus on their computer than Norton. It can be really intrusive, and conflict with Steam/games.

And, it is on the list.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289

Depending on if Norton has done any damage, futher steps may be needed after and if Norton is uninstalled from your system, also checking the child processes that go with it.

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