Can't hear or be heard
A checklist to get your audio working again, fast.
Last updated:
Why can't I hear anyone in flat.social?
Most audio problems come down to four things: your mic or speakers are muted, the wrong device is selected, your browser blocked permission, or you are standing too far from the other person. Flat.social uses spatial audio, so distance matters. Work through the checks below in order.
Walk your avatar right up to the person and check the mic button at the bottom is not muted. In flat.social, voices fade with distance, so being far away can sound like silence.
No one can hear me
If people say you are silent, your mic is the place to start. Check it is unmuted, that the correct microphone is selected, and that your browser has permission to use it.
Fix "no one can hear me"
- 1Unmute your mic
Find the microphone button in the bottom control bar. If it is red or crossed out, click it to unmute. You can also press the mic shortcut.
- 2Check the right mic is selected
Open your audio settings and confirm the device is the mic you are actually using, not a disconnected or virtual one.
- 3Confirm browser permission
Look for the camera/mic icon in your browser address bar. If access is blocked, allow it and reload the page.
- 4Move closer
Walk your avatar nearer to the listener. Spatial audio means you need to be within range to be heard clearly.
I can't hear other people
If others sound silent, check your output. Make sure your computer volume is up, the right speakers or headphones are selected, and you are close enough to people who are talking.
Bluetooth headsets sometimes switch to a low-quality "call" mode or drop out. If audio is choppy, try reconnecting them or switching to wired headphones.