Windows 10: Push to talk causes stutter in Steam games

Posted this in several forums but seems that nobody else is having this issue. My last hope. *Smile

I would be grateful if somebody else can confirm the same behaviour in regards to how Steam games access the microphone on Windows 10. The following is how Steam works for me:

Unlike with other game platforms where the games use the mic, in Steam games it's the Steam Client Bootstrapper that uses the mic and not the games themselves. And unlike with the other platforms, where the games constantly use the mic until you close them, the Steam Client only uses the mic when pressing the Push to Talk button and then stops using it when releasing the button which I think is the cause of the stutter. I guess this is good for privacy but not at the expense of gameplay. The workaround is having any other application running that is constantly using the mic. This eliminates the stutter in game. Here's what I mean.


If you look at the bottom right next to the Steam icon, the mic icon appears and disappears whenever I press and release the push to talk button. And on the left the Steam Client bootstrapper timestamp appearing and disappearing. (When I alt-tab out of the game, the steam client keeps using the mic because I was using a controller while the push to talk button was still pressed)



For me this is happening with all the Steam games that I currently have installed that support push to talk. I read some other posts where people experience this voice chat stutter but only in a specific game not all of the Steam games. Some of them use a USB mic. I use a 3.5mm Modmic. I don't have this issue with non Steam games. I tried different Realtek drivers with and without Nahimic but I think this is a Steam vs Windows 10 issue.

Windows 10 1909 1363.778

:)

 

Push to talk causes stutter in Steam games

Posted this in several forums but seems that nobody else is having this issue. My last hope. *Smile

I would be grateful if somebody else can confirm the same behaviour in regards to how Steam games access the microphone on Windows 10. The following is how Steam works for me:

Unlike with other game platforms where the games use the mic, in Steam games it's the Steam Client Bootstrapper that uses the mic and not the games themselves. And unlike with the other platforms, where the games constantly use the mic until you close them, the Steam Client only uses the mic when pressing the Push to Talk button and then stops using it when releasing the button which I think is the cause of the stutter. I guess this is good for privacy but not at the expense of gameplay. The workaround is having any other application running that is constantly using the mic. This eliminates the stutter in game. Here's what I mean.


If you look at the bottom right next to the Steam icon, the mic icon appears and disappears whenever I press and release the push to talk button. And on the left the Steam Client bootstrapper timestamp appearing and disappearing. (When I alt-tab out of the game, the steam client keeps using the mic because I was using a controller while the push to talk button was still pressed)



For me this is happening with all the Steam games that I currently have installed that support push to talk. I read some other posts where people experience this voice chat stutter but only in a specific game not all of the Steam games. Some of them use a USB mic. I use a 3.5mm Modmic. I don't have this issue with non Steam games. I tried different Realtek drivers with and without Nahimic but I think this is a Steam vs Windows 10 issue.

Windows 10 1909 1363.778

 

Game dvr push to talk

Why doesnt microsoft get push to talk feature in game dvr app on windows 10. I mean, its so obvious any gamer would want that feature. Currently i am required to turn the mic on by default (the toggle in the dvr settings) and that records all the other
non desired sounds and disturbances along with my voice. We want push to talk feature that would turn on the mic only when a specific key is pressed. Dont you guys agree?

 

Windows 10 Steam game crashes

Hi,

To assist you better, I would like to ask some questions:

• Does the issue occur only with Steam games or all games?
• Are you able to view videos?
• What is the make and model of your computer?

I suggest you to update the Graphic Card driver by following the steps provided below and check if it helps.

• Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Display Adapters.
• Right click on the driver and select Update Driver Software.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to update the driver.

Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.