How to Use a Mic on Steam

Steam is an online application that allows you to download and play various video games on your computer. In addition, you also add friends to your account and chat online through the Steam interface. When playing games through Steam, you set up a microphone to communicate with other team mates and players in the game through your microphone rather than text.

Locate the "Line In" slot and "Headset" slot on your computer. The line in slot has an image of a microphone above it. You will find the line in slot on the side of a laptop and on either the rear or front of your computer tower unit depending on the model. Insert the line in cable of your microphone into the line in slot on your computer.

Click on the "Start" button and select "Control Panel."

Select "Hardware and Sound" then locate the "Sound" section. Select "Manage Audio Devices."

Select the "Recording" tab and locate your microphone from the list of devices. Speak in to your microphone. If the microphone is correctly connected the bar next to the microphone on the screen will move. This indicates that it can hear the sound you are producing in the microphone.

Load the Steam program. Enter your username and password and click on the "Log In" button. Select the game you would like to play. Wait for the game to load up.

Select the "Options" for that game and then select either "Voice." Click on the "Enable voice in game." Click on "Keyboard" and locate "Use Voice Communication." Look to see what key is assigned to the command. Hold down this button on your keyboard when playing the game to use your microphone.