Is Your Valve Index Mic Not Working? (Let’s Fix It Fast)

Valve Index mic not working, and you’re worried? Don’t worry, we have a simple solution!
The sudden failure of your Valve Index’s microphone could be occurring due to a driver fault, improper configuration of the digital audio interface, or even issues with the privacy settings.
We recommend the following:
How to Fix Valve Index Mic Not Working in Easy Steps?
Note: Valve Index is currently not supported officially on the macOS platform, so if you’re attempting to connect the headset with your MacBook or iMac, there could be issues.
1. Update the Valve Index System Driver

Upon connection, your Windows or Linux PC will automatically download the latest available drivers for the Valve Index headset.
However, as time passes, your computer may not download the necessary driver updates in time, leading to compatibility problems with the Valve headset.
So, follow these steps to update Valve drivers on Windows and Linux!
1.1 How to Update Valve Index Drivers On Windows?
- Access the start menu on your Windows computer.
- Type “Device Manager” in the field and press Enter.
- Now search for the “Mixed Reality devices” section.
- Extend the menu and double-click on the Valve Index.
- Go to the “Driver” tab at the top of the options panel.
- Press on “Update Driver” from the available options.
- Click “Search automatically for drivers” for initiation.
1.2 How to Update Valve Index Drivers On Linux?
When it comes to keeping device drivers up-to-date on Linux, you must make sure that your OS is also at the most current version.

There are different OS commands based on the type of your Linux system:
- “Sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade” – Debian/Ubuntu-based systems.
- “Sudo pacman -Syu” – Arch-based systems.
- “Sudo dnf update” – Fedora-based systems.
Tip: Verify your system sustains a secure connection to the internet before applying these steps.
2. Adjust the “Digital Audio Interface” Settings

The next step is to ensure the Valve Index’s digital audio interface settings are configured properly.
Whether you’re on Windows or Linux, the default output configuration of the headset may disallow the use of the microphone, so it should be adjusted manually.
2.1 How to Adjust Digital Audio On Windows PC?
- Open the Control Panel on your Windows 10/11 PC.
- Type “Sound” in the search field in the right corner.
- Press “Change sound card settings” under “Sound.”
- Go to “Recording” at the top of the page that opens.
- Search for a “Digital Audio Interface” line on the page.
- Double-click on the digital audio interface’s line for options.
- Extend the options menu at the bottom of the new page.
- Set the “Device usage” tile to “Use this device (enable).”
The interface’s description should contain “Valve VR Radio & HMD Mic” or something similar.
Note: The digital audio interface might be set to “Disabled” by default.
2.2 How to Adjust Digital Audio On a Linux PC?

If you’re on Linux, there will be some commands involved when it comes to regulating the output strength of your Valve Index’s microphone.
First, you would have to check the device’s name via a command in the terminal then use another line to increase the output as you’d like.
- Command 1: Open the terminal on your Linux PC and type “pactl list sources”
- Command 2: Type “pactl set-source-volume (sourcename) N%” where “sourcename” is the name of your Valve Index’s microphone and “N” is the percentage.
With the commands above, you should be able to assign custom output preferences to the Valve Index microphone’s output.
3. Configure the SteamVR Audio Settings
If you’re still wondering why the Valve Index microphone not detected, it’s perhaps due to a misconfiguration of the SteamVR settings.
Upon setting up a new output/input streaming unit such as the Valve Index, it would be necessary to adjust some of the interface settings manually.

Follow these steps to enter the SteamVR settings:
- First, go to the “Library” tab of your Steam account.
- Look for “SteamVR” and launch the tool on your PC.
- Access the “Settings” panel within the SteamVR menu.
- Now, go to “Audio” from the navigation menu on the left.
- Ensure the “Audio input device” is set to “HEADSET.”
- Save the changes and exit the SteamVR configuration.
Valve Index uses an integrated headset with a built-in microphone and not selecting the headset as the default input/output will prevent you from using the microphone.
Note: Additionally, you should also set the “Audio output device” option at the top of the “Audio” tab in SteamVR to “HEADSET.”
4. Power Cycle the Valve Index Headset
Another reliable solution for the Valve Index mic not working fault is to perform a power cycle.
The procedure lasts for roughly 30–60 seconds and addresses all functionality issues with the headset, including microphone malfunctions.

Here’s how to power cycle the Valve Index:
- Verify your headset is plugged into the port on your PC.
- Press the “Power” button for 3–4 seconds to turn it off.
- While the device is off, hold “System” for 10–15 seconds.
- Turn on the Valve Index and check if the mic is functional.
Note: Ensure the connection between your PC and the headset is uninterrupted during the power cycle’s time interval.
5. Update the Valve Index OS Version
Another quick and potentially effective solution is to check if the Valve Index’s firmware is up-to-date.
Similarly to a previous solution, you must access the SteamVR tool through the Steam launcher and navigate the OS updates there.

- Open the SteamVR app and navigate to the “Devices” → “Update Firmware” section to start the procedure.
You must verify that your Windows or Linux PC is connected to a secure internet network and follow the on-screen steps to update the Valve Index’s OS.
Pro Tip: Ensure SteamVR is also up-to-date by heading to “Library” → right-click “SteamVR” → “Properties” → “Updates” and enable “Automatic Updates.”
6. Configure Privacy Settings On Windows
Perhaps, your Valve Index’s microphone could be acting up due to Windows’s strict privacy settings towards microphone usage.
Fortunately, there are a few simple settings you can configure on your system, to ensure the Index’s microphone is allowed for use.

- On your Windows PC, go to “Settings” → “Privacy & Security” → “Microphone” and find the “Microphone access” line.
You will see all apps that either have or do not have the “Microphone access” permission.
Verify the SteamVR app is allowed mic access, otherwise, the Valve headset will not use the function.
7. Reset the Valve Index to Factory Defaults
If you’re still facing issues with the microphone operations of the Index headset, we recommend a clean factory reset.
The procedure will erase all of the headset’s options permanently and hopefully address underlying functionality faults with the mic.

Here’s how to factory reset a Valve Index:
- Unplug the Valve Index from the back of your PC.
- Hold the “System” button on the left of the device.
- Reconnect the headset while still holding “System.”
- Now, continue holding until the front LEDs light up.
- Wait for the LED to turn green and release “System.”
The Valve Index will now go back into “Factory Mode” and allow you to re-configure all system settings, including the default input/output.

Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.