PS5 microphone problems are usually settings or routing issues. The mic may be muted on the DualSense, the console may be listening to the wrong input device, or a game may have its own voice chat setting.
These steps apply to the DualSense built-in microphone and headset microphones on PS5 and PS5 Slim.
Does this affect you?
Use this if friends cannot hear you in Party chat or in-game voice chat even though the PS5 appears to show a microphone as active.
Check the mute switch and input device settings
The DualSense mute button and input device selection cause many PS5 mic failures.
- Look below the PS button on the DualSense for the small mute button.
- If the mute button light is orange, press it once to unmute.
- Open Settings > Sound > Microphone.
- Set Input Device to the mic you actually want: Controller (Built-in Mic) or your headset.
- Speak while watching the microphone level meter.
- If using a wired headset, push the 3.5 mm plug firmly into the controller.
- If using a wireless headset, plug its USB dongle directly into the PS5.
- Check the headset’s own mute switch on the cable or earcup.
- Restart the console after changing audio routing.
PS5 does not support ordinary Bluetooth audio headsets for game sound and mic. Most wireless gaming headsets need their own USB dongle.
Check app and game-specific microphone permissions
If the system microphone meter moves, the remaining issue is likely inside Party chat or one game.
- Press the PS button to open Control Center.
- Check the microphone icon and make sure it is not muted there.
- If you are in a Party, open Party settings and confirm you are not muted in that session.
- Open the game’s audio or communication settings and check voice chat and mic mute options.
- Close the game from the game card Options menu and reopen it.
- Test Party chat outside the game, then test in-game voice chat again.
Closing and reopening the game helps when the headset was connected after the game launched and the game never detected the new mic.
Headsets, updates, and hardware failure
Wireless headset dongles should be plugged directly into the PS5, not through a USB hub, while troubleshooting. Confirm the console sees the device in Settings > Sound > Audio Devices.
Noise reduction can suppress very quiet speech in a silent room. Speak a little louder or move closer to the controller mic if the level meter barely moves.
Check Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings for PS5 updates, since microphone bugs can be fixed in firmware.
If the DualSense built-in mic never registers input in the PS5 sound test but a headset mic works, the controller mic itself may have failed. Check DualSense warranty or repair options.
Sources
- PlayStation Support – Fix Microphone Issues on PS5 (2025)
- PlayStation Support – Set Up Audio Devices on PS5 (2025)
- PlayStation Support – DualSense Controller Features (2025)