In the high-stakes world of Valorant, communication can be as vital as your aim. One often-overlooked setting that shapes this experience is “Incoming Volume.” But what exactly does this setting control, and how should players use it for the clearest possible team comms?
What Is Incoming Volume in Valorant?
Incoming Volume in Valorant’s audio settings specifically controls the loudness of voice chat from other players—your teammates and party members—heard through the in-game chat system.
It allows you to adjust how loudly you hear your team without affecting your game sounds (gunshots, footsteps) or your own microphone output.
Where to Find the Setting
Players can locate the Incoming Volume control by going to:
- Settings (cog icon in the top right)
- Select the Audio tab
- Navigate to Voice Chat
- Adjust the slider labeled Incoming Volume to increase or decrease the volume of voices from teammates and party members.
Why Adjust Incoming Volume?
- Missed Calls: If you’re struggling to hear important team callouts over the chaos of a match, increasing Incoming Volume ensures you catch every strategy and warning.
- Overpowering Voices: If voice chat is drowning out other game sounds (like footsteps or ability cues), lower the slider to balance the dialogue with critical audio cues integral for gameplay.
- Personal Comfort: Every gamer’s setup varies—some may need audio adjustments due to headset quality, background noise, or personal hearing needs.
Recommended Settings
Pro players and audio guides often suggest keeping Incoming Volume between 60% and 75%, tweaking as necessary for clarity and comfort. Cranking it to 100% is advised only if teammates are consistently too quiet; too high a setting can overpower vital in-game sounds and create chaos during fights.
| Situation | Suggested Incoming Volume |
| Teammates too quiet | 80–100% |
| Balanced with game audio | 60–75% |
| Voices overly loud | 40–60% |
Troubleshooting Voice Chat Issues
If you can’t hear your teammates even after adjusting Incoming Volume, consider these steps:
- Check Output Device: Make sure your headset or audio output is correctly set in Voice Chat settings.
- Update Drivers: Outdated audio drivers can make voice chat malfunction, so keep drivers current for optimal performance.
- Verify Chat Settings: Confirm that Team and Party Voice Chat are turned “On” in the settings menu.
Takeaway
Incoming Volume in Valorant empowers players to tailor voice chat to their preferences, ensuring crucial team communication is neither lost nor overwhelming. Tuning this setting can mean the difference between a confident clutch and a costly miscommunication.
Clear team comms often pave the way for victory—so don’t underestimate the power of a well-adjusted Incoming Volume.
Written by:
Christian