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TheShrekster
Inspiring
November 9, 2025
Question

External microphone not working on Link

I recently purchased a usb C gooseneck microphone to plug straight into my Quest Pro (v81). It works and sounds great on native quest apps and recordings, but as soon as I use any streaming software (AirLink, Virtual Desktop, or Steam Link), it does not work.  On AirLink and Virtual Desktop, I will get extremely loud clicking that overlaps the audio. Sometimes Virtual Desktop will straight up crash. And again, it works perfectly fine in recordings on the Quest and when testing the microphone on social apps. As a control, I plugged my Antlion modmic straight into the Quest Pro and discovered that it worked with no issues. So now I am confused as to what makes this new microphone not work with AirLink but work perfect on native apps. I've also factory reset the headset and reinstalled Virtual Desktop and Oculus Link on the PC side and that yielded no results.

Waveform of the external mic through AirLink where you can see the ear-blasting clicksWaveform of the external mic from VRChat running native on the Quest Pro absent of clicks

 

9 replies

MetaStoreHelp
MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
November 9, 2025

Hi TheShrekster,

 

Thanks for reaching out about the loud clicking sound and overlapping you get when using your new gooseneck microphone with Link. We understand this isn't ideal for your VR experience so we have a few troubleshooting steps you could try to get the microphone working correctly with Link.

 

Thanks for letting us know you've already tried reinstalling the app.

 

Now, search for updates here and try the following:

 

  • Make sure the microphone is clean and not obstructed
  • Remove any unsupported third-party accessories if using any
  • If happening only with these apps, check the permissions 
  • Reset microphone: Settings > System > Sound > Toggle Microphone

 

In case these troubleshooting steps don't work out for you, we would love to take a deeper look into things so don't hesitate to reach out privately for further assistance:

 

  • Select our name to get to our profile page, or click here
  • Next, click "Send a Message" to message us

 

Please remember, you must be signed into the community first to send us a private message.

 

We look forward to connecting with you.

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
steve40
steve40
Honored Contributor
November 9, 2025

but as soon as I use any streaming software (AirLink, Virtual Desktop, or Steam Link), it does not work. On AirLink and Virtual Desktop, I will get extremely loud clicking that overlaps the audio. Sometimes Virtual Desktop will straight up crash.

Why are you framing the problem as a Link issue, when you admitted that it doesn't work with any streaming app. Maybe you should be asking the microphone manufacturer, since you also admitted that another external microphone (Antlion) works perfectly.

    TheShreksterAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 9, 2025

    Oddly rude but as I've already explained it works perfectly fine on native apps including VRChat and the built-in recorder. The only place it doesn't work is AirLink, Steam Link, or Virtual Desktop. And even with the Antlion it's a coin flip on whether or not it wants to use the full bit-depth of the microphone or sound like bluetooth headset.

     

    Maccyb123
    Honored Contributor
    November 9, 2025

    If you can hear everything OK on the native apps, that's at least a plus, but not with the pc stuff, it's likely a problem with your microphone software or it's capability. You should definitely contact the microphone manufacturer for advice but first check your pc settings and permissions. Maybe you need to change something there. 

    Maccyb
      TheShreksterAuthor
      Inspiring
      November 9, 2025

      For additional context here is a video:

      And the supported formats of the USB Microphone plugged straight into my PC.

      When we compare this to the Antlion USB microphone [that works on AirLink or VD], the Antlion has more supported formats. (This list also explains why my Antlion will randomly sound low-quality on Virtual Desktop and that's probably because it sometimes chooses one of the lower sample rates).

      But what is confusing is that Virtual Desktop is locked to a format that this microphone supports and according to ggodin is the native format of the headset.

      My guess is that the headset is choosing the highest of the supported formats (24 bit, 96KHz) which does not work with PCVR streaming? The question would now be, how do I lock the format of this microphone on my Quest Pro?

      steve40
      steve40
      Honored Contributor
      November 10, 2025

      This list also explains why my Antlion will randomly sound low-quality on Virtual Desktop and that's probably because it sometimes chooses one of the lower sample rates

      Do you perhaps have Virtual Desktop set to "Automatically adjust bitrate"?

        TheShreksterAuthor
        Inspiring
        November 10, 2025

        No, I always run it at 325 mbps. I'm on 6ghz with a custom xeon router.

        I've decided to give up and return the microphone. As a last resort, I frankensteined a cheap transmitter onto my headset. Behold my awful creation

         

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