Xbox Party Chat is a key feature that lets users communicate while gaming across consoles and PCs. It is widely used for multiplayer coordination, social gaming and even casual conversations. However, if you are on a Windows PC and cannot hear anyone in an Xbox Party, it can be frustrating and disruptive. This issue is more common than you might think and usually comes down to a few manageable settings or connection problems.
In this article, we explain the most common reasons why Xbox Party Chat fails to deliver sound on PC and how to fix it.
What Is Xbox Party Chat on PC?
Xbox Party Chat is part of the Xbox Game Bar and Xbox app ecosystem available on Windows 10 and 11. It allows PC users to join party chats with Xbox console players and other PC users. You can use it while playing games from the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass or even Steam if you want to chat with friends across platforms.
When it works properly, the feature offers smooth voice chat with decent audio quality and minimal lag. When it does not, you might find that you can talk but not hear anyone or the whole chat is silent.
Check Your Output Device
The most common reason for not hearing anyone in Xbox Party Chat on PC is that the wrong audio output device is selected. Even if your headset or speakers are connected, Windows or the Xbox app might be using a different output.
To fix this, open Settings > System > Sound, then scroll to Output and make sure the correct device is selected. If you are using the Xbox Game Bar, press Windows + G, click the Audio widget and confirm that the Voice output is set to your headset or speakers.
Some systems also have separate controls for app-specific audio. Open Volume Mixer in the Sound settings and check that the Xbox app or Game Bar has sound output enabled and routed to the correct device.
Update or Reinstall Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause Xbox Party Chat to malfunction. You may be able to talk into your mic but not hear incoming voices if the drivers are not functioning correctly.
To check your drivers, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section. Right-click your audio device and choose Update driver. Restart your PC after updating.
If issues persist, uninstall the audio device from the list and restart your system. Windows will reinstall the default driver automatically. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest version directly.
Check Xbox App Permissions
The Xbox app and Game Bar require access to your microphone and audio features to function properly. If permissions are disabled, chat features may not work correctly or only partially.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and make sure both the Xbox app and Game Bar are allowed to use your mic. Although this does not directly affect audio output, some audio features depend on full device access.
While you are there, it is worth checking whether Let apps access your microphone is turned on. Some voice settings in Windows depend on this being enabled even if your input device is working fine.
NAT Type and Network Issues
Xbox Party Chat relies on a stable network connection with the correct ports open. If your NAT type is set to Strict or Moderate, it may prevent party chat audio from being received or sent.
Open the Xbox Console Companion app or Xbox Networking from the Windows settings and run a test. This will show your NAT type and any server connectivity issues.
If problems are found, try restarting your router or enabling UPnP in your router settings. Port forwarding may also help. The required ports for Xbox Party Chat include 3074 (UDP and TCP) and 53, 80, 500, 3544, 4500 (UDP). Consult your router’s support page for instructions on how to enable these safely.
Microphone Conflicts or Headset Settings
In some cases, if you have a headset with both microphone and speakers, the system may prioritise only one part of the device. This can cause you to hear game sound but not voice chat or vice versa.
To resolve this, go to Sound Settings > Advanced Sound Options and check both Input and Output settings. Make sure your headset is selected for both chat and general sound.
You can also check the Xbox Game Bar audio widget for separate voice chat and system output settings. It is possible to have voice routed to one device and game sound to another, which may explain why you cannot hear party chat even though everything else works.
Xbox App or Game Bar Glitches
Like any app, the Xbox platform tools on Windows can occasionally glitch or freeze. If none of the above steps fix the issue, try closing the Xbox app and Game Bar completely. Restart your PC and reopen them. Alternatively, uninstall the Xbox app from the Microsoft Store and reinstall the latest version.
Sometimes a bug or system update can interfere with voice routing and a clean reinstall can reset everything to working order.
Voice Chat Volume Settings
It may seem simple but double-check the volume controls inside the party chat window. Right-click on each user’s name in the party and make sure their individual volume is turned up. Sometimes specific users get muted or their volume is set too low to hear.
Also confirm that your headset or speaker volume is physically turned up and not muted via hardware controls.
Final Thoughts
Not being able to hear anyone on Xbox Party Chat while using a PC is a frustrating problem but one that can usually be fixed with a few careful checks. Most issues come down to the wrong output device, driver problems or network configuration. By reviewing your audio settings, checking permissions and ensuring the correct headset is in use, you can usually restore voice chat quickly. With the right setup, Xbox Party Chat on PC becomes a reliable way to stay connected with friends and teammates across all platforms.