Answer: Low in game volume

Technical Support
1

My in game audio was incredibly low.

In my case, the in game volume, the master volume, and the Overwatch volume in the volume mixer wall all set to max, but the sound was almost non-existent. Web browser audio was fine, music and videos were fine…I noticed no other issue except Overwatch but it may affect other games too I guess. For me, it was only when using speakers, not my Wireless headphones which are a seperate audio device.

I tried a lot of recommendations, but in the end it was the driver of my audio device. It was from some time in March 2017 I think, so I updated it and the Overwatch audio started working perfectly!

You need to have administrator credentials for your machine to follow these steps (assuming Windows 10 here):

  1. Right click the speaker in your taskbar and select “Playback Devices”
  2. A window pops up. Find your playback device in the list and right click it, then select “Properties”
  3. Another window pops up. You will be on the “General” tab. Inside the Controller Information section on that page (mine was a Realtek audio device, but your device should be listed), click the “Properties” button next to it.
  4. Another window pops up with its own General tab being shown. Hopefully you aren’t logged in as a superuser account on your machine day to day (for the purposes of secure computing). If are logged in as a standard user, there will be a button at the bottom left of the window with a blue and yellow shield in it that says “Change Settings”. Click this, and provide your credientials if asked. If you don’t see this button, you should be able to proceed without clicking it (but consider using a standard account for day to day computing)
  5. Another window pops up, I guess that’s why they call it Windows. :slight_smile: Click the driver tab.
  6. Click the “Update Driver” button.
  7. Another window pops up, oh boy!
  8. Click the big “-> Search automatically for updated driver software” button.
  9. The OS should now attempt to located, download and install the latest certified driver for your audio device.

If the result is “The best drivers for your device are already installed” nothing on your computer was updated and this is the end of my direction for you. Your next bet might be to go hunting on the web for more cutting edge drivers, but that is at your own risk and out of the scope of this howto.

Otherwise, you should be informed that a newer driver was successfully installed. Good luck!

Now just go on a window closing mission and test our your new settings!