The Oculus Rift S is an amazing device for experiencing Virtual Reality and playing compatible games. It can also be supplemented by adding accessories like headphones and mic. However, you would lose all the excitement if the Mic stops working and you are not able to communicate with your friends during a multiplayer game. This guide will help to fix all Oculus Rift S Mic Not Working issues on Windows 10.
How To Fix Oculus Rift S Mic Not Working In Windows 10
Before you start trying out the fixes for the Oculus Rift microphone Not Working on Windows 10, it is recommended to check a few prerequisites just to be sure:
- Check the connections, cables, and adapters physically to determine there is no hardware damage.
- Try a different USB port in case the one you are currently using has developed a fault.
- Use the Oculus Rift S Mic on a different machine if possible.
Once you have determined that it is not a hardware issue, then you can try the software fixes for Oculus Rift S Mic Not Working in Windows 10:
Fix 1: Update Drivers
Let us begin with updating drivers particularly Sound drivers in this case. Drivers are an important element of the operating system as a whole as they help communicate between the hardware and the applications. If you are not able to use the Oculus Rift S Mic and sure that there is no problem with the hardware, then this issue is related to software and most probably, drivers. There are two ways to update drivers: Manual and Automatic.
The manual method of updating drivers involves identifying the make and model of the hardware, searching for the updated drivers on the OEM website, and then installing them. For this, you have to begin with your sound drivers and then update the USB drivers. This process requires time and effort to complete.
The Automatic method of updating drivers to fix the Oculus Rift S Microphone not working is by using a third-party application like Advanced Driver Updater. Once installed, this app automatically searches for the updated drivers and replaces any outdated drivers. Here are the steps to use ADU on your PC:
Step 1: Download and Install Advanced Driver Updater on your system from the download link given below:
Step 2: After installation, launch the app, and click the Start Scan Now button.
Step 3: A list of driver issues will be displayed within the app interface.
Step 4: Locate Sound drivers followed by USB drivers and then click on the Update Driver link beside them.
Once the drivers are updated, check your Oculus Rift S Mic not working issue and ascertain if it has been fixed.
Fix 2: Allow Access Microphone
Microsoft has inculcated a Microphone On/Off switch in the Windows 10 settings. You can check if that switch has been turned off and enable it. Here are a few steps that will help you along the process of enabling mic access:
Step 1: Press Windows + I to launch the settings box.
Step 2: Click on the Privacy option and then select Microphone on the left pane options.
Step 3: Now, click on the Change button on the right side of the panel and turn the toggle switch toward the right to turn it on.
Step 4: Next, scroll down a bit to turn the toggle switch on under Allow apps to access your microphone.
Step 5: Finally, scroll down to the Allow desktop apps to access your microphone section
Once you have completed the above-mentioned steps, check if the Oculus Rift microphone not working.
Fix 3: Modify Sound Settings
The next fix involves checking the sound settings on your Windows 10 computer and fixing them if required. To access the sound settings, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R on the keyboard and type in Control in the Run Box.
Step 2: When the Control Panel window opens, click on the drop-down button next to View By and choose Small Icons.
Step 3: Click on Sound and then in the new window click on the Recording Tab.
Step 4: Locate the Oculus Rift S Mic among the list of devices connected and make a right-click on it to set it as the Default Device.
Step 5: Now that your device is enabled and set as default, it is time to check the audio level by clicking on Properties located at the bottom right corner.
Note: If you do not see your device listed, then check the box labeled as Show Disabled Devices.
Step 6: Click on the Levels tab and slide the microphone slider toward 100 and then click on OK.
Fix 4: Power Management Settings
The final troubleshooting method is to make some changes to the power management settings of your computer. This is because in the power saving mode Windows 10 shuts off power to USB ports that have not been used for a long time since the pc booted. Here are the steps to ensure that the USB ports do not lose power.
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the RUN box and type devmgmt.msc in the text box followed by the OK button.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, click on Universal Serial Bus Controllers to reveal the dropdown options.
Step 3: Make a right-click on USB Root Hub from the list and select Properties from the context menu.
Step 4: Now, navigate to the Power Management tab and untick the box labeled as Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK and continue this process for all the USB Root Hub options on your computer.
Once you complete the process, this will ensure that none of your USB ports lose power in case of inactivity and will automatically fix the Oculus Rift microphone Not Working on Windows 10.
How To Fix Oculus Rift S Mic Not Working In Windows 10
The Oculus Rift S Mic Not Working on your computer is not a major issue and hence does not require any advanced technical troubleshooting steps of a lot of time and effort to resolve. It can be easily resolved by the four methods described above provided that the issue is a software error and not hardware.
