Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf Modern Warfare is silent on your PC while Discord or other apps still play audio, start with Windows output routing: select the speakers or headset you are actually using, unmute it, and make it the default playback device. Then turn off audio enhancements, check Modern Warfare’s Audio and Voice Chat controls, and run Windows’ audio troubleshooter before investigating the driver.
These checks separate a Windows-wide output problem from a game-only configuration problem. They are reversible and cost nothing; replacing a headset should be considered only after the software checks and a second playback device point to failed hardware.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Modern Warfare can be silent when Discord still works
Windows can send different applications through different audio paths. The device selected under Windows Output may not be the device you are wearing, and the default playback device shown in More sound settings can differ from that selection. In that situation, Discord may remain audible while Modern Warfare is routed to muted speakers, a disconnected monitor, or an unused jack.
A second possibility is processing applied to the selected output. Windows audio enhancements can interfere with playback, even when the volume icon looks normal. Microsoft specifically notes that you may hear nothing from speakers or wired headphones despite an apparently normal volume indicator.
#1 Best Overall
- TRIFORCE TITANIUM 50 MM DRIVERS — Our cutting-edge proprietary design divides the driver into 3 parts for the individual tuning of highs, mids, and lows—producing brighter, clearer audio with richer highs and more powerful lows
- HYPERCLEAR CARDIOID MIC — An improved pickup pattern ensures more voice and less noise as it tapers off towards the mic’s back and sides, with the sweet spot easily placed at the mouth because of the mic’s bendable design
- ADVANCED PASSIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Sturdy closed earcups fully cover the ears to prevent noise from leaking into the headset, with its cushions providing a closer seal for more sound isolation
- LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN WITH MEMORY FOAM EAR CUSHIONS — At just 240 g, the headset features thicker headband padding and memory foam ear cushions with leatherette to keep gaming in peak form during grueling tournaments and training sessions
- WORKS WITH WINDOWS SONIC — Make the most of the headset’s powerful drivers by pairing it with lifelike surround sound that places audio with pinpoint accuracy, heightening in-game awareness and immersion
Modern Warfare also has its own audio mix and voice-chat controls. Master game audio, voice chat, microphone level, and open-mic threshold are separate settings, so game sound and communications can fail independently. Finally, an audio-driver problem or a failed headset, speaker, cable, or analog jack can affect every application using that path.
Use this order to find the cause quickly
- Windows routing and mute state: confirm the physical device is selected, unmuted, and the default Playback device.
- Enhancements: switch Windows audio enhancements off temporarily.
- Game controls: verify Modern Warfare’s master mix, voice-chat settings, and mute indicators.
- Windows diagnosis: run the automated Audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
- Driver and hardware isolation: investigate the audio driver, then test another output device or connection.
- Title-specific support: consult Activision’s Modern Warfare troubleshooting and Known Issues resources if the failure remains game-specific.
After each change, launch the game and play a clip or enter a match long enough to confirm whether sound returns. Changing several settings at once makes it difficult to identify the cause.
1. Select and unmute the correct Windows output
Choose the device you are actually listening through
- Open Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Output, select the speakers, wired headphones, USB headset, or other device you are physically using. Do not leave a monitor, dock, Bluetooth device, or disconnected jack selected merely because it appears first.
- Check the output volume and make sure mute is off. Raise the level enough to hear a test sound without relying on the game’s volume slider.
The first check matters because Windows’ selected output and your default playback device can disagree. A player wearing headphones can therefore see a normal volume icon while Modern Warfare sends audio elsewhere.
Make the same device the default Playback endpoint
- From the Sound page, open More sound settings.
- On the Playback tab, identify the same speakers or headphones.
- Set that device as the default playback device, then close the dialog and restart Modern Warfare.
If several entries have similar names, use the one that corresponds to the connected jack or USB device. Disconnecting an unused headset, monitor cable, or dock temporarily can make the correct endpoint easier to identify. If audio returns after this change, the problem was routing rather than a damaged game installation.
2. Turn off Windows audio enhancements
Windows 11 and current Sound settings
- Return to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Select the output device you confirmed in the previous step.
- Open its advanced properties and set Audio enhancements to Off.
- Close Settings, restart the game, and test both game audio and voice chat.
Older Windows layout
On older Windows layouts, open the device’s properties from the Playback tab, select the Enhancements tab, and choose Disable all enhancements. Apply the change, then retest. This is a reversible toggle; if it does not help, you can restore the previous setting later.
Rank #2
- 【Amazing Stable Connection-Quick Access to Games】Real-time gaming audio with our 2.4GHz USB & Type-C ultra-low latency wireless connection. With less than 30ms delay, you can enjoy smoother operation and stay ahead of the competition, so you can enjoy an immersive lag-free wireless gaming experience.
- 【Game Communication-Better Bass and Accuracy】The 50mm driver plus 2.4G lossless wireless transports you to the gaming world, letting you hear every critical step, reload, or vocal in Fortnite, Call of Duty, The Legend of Zelda and RPG, so you will never miss a step or shot during game playing. You will completely in awe with the range, precision, and audio quality your ears were experiencing.
- 【Flexible and Convenient Design-Effortless in Game】Ideal intuitive button layout on the headphones for user. Multi-functional button controls let you instantly crank or lower volume and mute, quickly answer phone calls, cut songs, turn on lights, etc. Ease of use and customization, are all done with passion and priority for the user.
- 【Less plug, More Play-Dual Input From 2.4GHz & Bluetooth】 Wireless gaming headset adopts high performance dual mode design. With a 2.4GHz USB dongle, which is super sturdy, lag＜30ms, perfectly made for gamers. Bluetooth mode only work for phone, laptop and switch. And 3.5mm wired mode (Only support music and call).
- 【Wide Compatibility with Gaming Devices】Setup the perfect entertainment system by plugging in 2.4G USB. The convenience of dual USB work seamlessly with your PS5,PS4, PC, Mac, Laptop, Switch and saves you from swapping cables.
Enhancements are a useful diagnostic target because they sit between the game and the physical output. If disabling them restores sound, leave them off while you play or re-enable them one at a time to find a setting that conflicts with the device.
3. Check Modern Warfare’s Audio and Voice Chat menus
Verify master game audio and the selected mix
Open Modern Warfare’s Audio menu and check the master-audio level and the chosen volume mix. Activision’s PC guide explains that the game allows an adjustable audio mix, so a low master setting or an unsuitable mix can make effects, music, or dialogue seem absent even when Windows is working.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Look for the game’s mute indicators while changing these controls. The guide documents separate master-audio mute telemetry, which helps distinguish an intentional in-game mute from a Windows output failure. Raise the master level to a clearly audible position for testing, then restore your preferred level after the cause is identified.
Check voice chat separately
Open the Voice Chat menu as well. Modern Warfare exposes separate voice-chat volume, microphone volume, and open-mic threshold controls. Voice-chat volume affects other players’ voices; microphone volume and open-mic threshold affect what teammates hear from you, not whether the game’s effects play through your headset.
Check the voice-chat mute indicator and make sure the voice-chat volume is not set to zero. If only teammates are silent but gunfire and menu sounds work, focus on this menu. If game effects are silent but Discord remains audible, keep the voice-chat check separate from the Windows output checks rather than assuming the microphone setting controls all game audio.
Rank #3
- Immersive 7.1 Surround Sound: This gaming headset delivering stereo surround sound for realistic audio. Whether you're in a high-speed FPS battle or losing yourself RPG adventures, this Ps5 headset provides crisp treble, punchy bass, and precise directional cues, giving you a competitive edge
- Great Humanized Design: Comfortable and breathable permeability protein over-ear pads perfectly on your head, adjustable headband distributes pressure evenly, you’ll enjoy lasting comfort during hours of gaming and suitable for all gaming players of all ages
- Sensitivity Noise-Cancelling Microphone: 360° omnidirectionally rotatable sensitive microphone, premium noise cancellation, sound localisation, your voice comes through loud and natural, ensuring your teammates catch every callout, even in chaotic battle scenes.
- Universal Compatibility: This gaming headphone support for PC, Ps5, Ps4, Xbox one, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Laptop, Mobile Phone and other devices with 3.5mm jack.Note 1: When you use headset on your PC, be sure to connect the "1-to-2 3.5mm audio jack splitter cable" (Red-Mic, Green-audio). (Please note you need an extra Microsoft Adapter when connect with an old version Xbox One controller)
- Cool style gaming experience: Colorful RGB lights create a gorgeous gaming atmosphere, adding excitement to every match. Heightening immersion for FPS, MOBA, and action titles. These eye-catching lights give your setup a gamer-ready look while maintaining focus on performance. (*Note: The USB connector is for LED lighting only)
4. Run Windows’ automated Audio troubleshooter
When output selection and game controls look correct, use the automated Audio troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Open Get Help from the Start menu, choose the audio or sound problem flow, and allow it to inspect the selected playback device. Follow its prompts, apply any suggested change, and restart Modern Warfare before testing again.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The troubleshooter is useful even when the volume icon appears normal because it can identify a disabled endpoint or a Windows audio configuration issue that is not obvious in the game. Record what it reports before accepting a change; that information is useful if you later need to contact Activision or troubleshoot the driver manually.
5. Investigate the audio driver
Use Device Manager to check the installed device
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Sound, video and game controllers and locate the audio device that corresponds to your speakers or headset.
- Open the device’s context menu and choose Update driver, then allow Windows to search automatically.
- Restart the computer, confirm the same output is selected under Settings > System > Sound, and test Modern Warfare.
A driver problem can prevent an otherwise visible device from producing sound. If Device Manager shows more than one audio device, update the one tied to the output you selected rather than changing unrelated entries. Keep the Windows output and default Playback choices aligned after the restart.
Interpret the result
- All applications are silent: continue with the driver and hardware checks; the problem is probably not limited to Modern Warfare’s mix.
- Only Modern Warfare is silent: revisit the game’s master-audio, volume-mix, and mute controls, then check Activision’s title-specific support pages.
- Sound returns briefly and disappears: note whether it changes when you switch outputs or disable enhancements. That pattern points toward routing or processing rather than the game files themselves.
6. Isolate a failed headset, speaker, cable, or jack
After the software checks, test the same Windows output with another application. Then connect a second known-working pair of headphones or speakers, or try the computer’s built-in speakers if available. A USB headset can bypass a failing 3.5 mm analog jack; conversely, testing a wired analog device can show whether a USB headset or its port is the problem.
Inspect the physical connection without assuming that a new accessory will fix a muted or misrouted device. Reseat a loose plug, try another USB port, and make sure a monitor or dock is not receiving audio instead. If a second device works immediately with the same Windows and game settings, the original headset, speakers, cable, or jack is the likely failure point.
Rank #4
- Enjoy expansive cinematic sound. Big 50 mm audio drivers deliver an incredible sound experience
- Hear Enemies From All Sides. DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound(1) lets you hear enemies sneaking behind you, special ability cues, and immersive environments. It’s positional clarity that can make the difference between victory and defeat. Experience three-dimensional audio that goes beyond 7.1 channels to make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. (1) DTS Headphone:X 2.0 requires Logitech G HUB Software.
- Be Heard Loud and Clear. The big 6 mm boom mic makes sure you’re heard by gaming partners and mutes when flipped up.
- Use One Headset For Most Game Platforms. Your headphones work with your PC or Mac via USB DAC or 3.5 mm cable, mobile devices with 3.5 mm cable or with gaming consoles including PlayStationⓇ 5 and PlayStationⓇ 4 (USB wireless stereo sound only), Nintendo Switch (wireless stereo sound when docked)
- Game for Hours in Comfort. Everything about these headphones is about comfort: The deluxe lightweight leatherette ear cups and headband are made to keep pressure off your ears. Ear cups rotate up to 90 degrees for convenience.
What to do when Discord works but the game does not
- Leave Discord running and note which device it uses for output.
- In Windows Sound, select that same physical device under Output and set it as the default Playback device.
- Turn off Audio enhancements for that device.
- In Modern Warfare, raise master audio, choose a normal volume mix, and clear any master-audio mute indicator.
- Check Voice Chat separately so a voice-chat mute is not mistaken for a total game-audio failure.
- Restart the game after the Windows changes. If Discord remains audible but Modern Warfare is still silent, run the Get Help Audio troubleshooter and investigate the audio driver.
This sequence uses Discord as a control: if it continues to play through the selected device, the headset and basic Windows path are less likely to be completely dead. It does not prove that Modern Warfare is configured correctly, because the game can maintain its own mix and mute state.
When to use Activision’s support resources
If Windows output, enhancements, Modern Warfare’s audio controls, the Get Help troubleshooter, and the driver check do not resolve the issue, use Activision’s Modern Warfare support hub. It links to a PC Troubleshooting article updated October 27, 2019 and a Known Issues page updated June 21, 2024. Check the Known Issues page for a title-specific outage or bug before opening a support case.
When submitting a case, include the output device selected in Windows, whether Discord or other applications have sound, whether disabling enhancements changed anything, the result of the Get Help troubleshooter, and whether another headset works. Those details show whether the failure is Windows-wide, hardware-specific, or limited to Modern Warfare and reduce back-and-forth diagnosis.
Should you buy a USB gaming headset?
A USB gaming headset is a reasonable fallback only when another device confirms that the original speakers, headphones, cable, or analog jack has failed. It gives you a different audio connection and can bypass a damaged analog path. It will not correct a muted Windows endpoint, an incorrect default Playback device, disabled game audio, or a Modern Warfare volume-mix setting.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Try the free software checks first. If the USB headset works while the original device does not, keep the working device connected and replace or repair the failed hardware. If neither device produces Modern Warfare audio but other applications work, return to the game’s Audio and Voice Chat menus and Activision’s support resources rather than buying more equipment.
Quick Recap
Final verification checklist
- The physical speakers or headphones are selected under Settings > System > Sound > Output.
- The same device is the default under More sound settings > Playback.
- Windows volume is raised and not muted.
- Audio enhancements is Off, or Disable all enhancements is selected on older layouts.
- Modern Warfare’s master audio and volume mix are audible, with no master-audio mute indicator.
- Voice-chat volume and its mute indicator have been checked independently.
- The Get Help Audio troubleshooter has run.
- The relevant audio driver has been investigated or updated, and the computer restarted.
- A second output device or connection has been tested before treating the issue as hardware failure.
- Activision’s PC Troubleshooting and Known Issues pages have been checked if the failure remains game-specific.
As an optional shortcut after these manual checks, Outbyte Driver Updater can scan more than 100 devices for outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers, install official drivers, show current and recommended versions, and provide backup, restore, and scheduled scans. It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7; the 2-day free trial requires no credit card and is followed by a subscription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
