Voice chat in Minecraft: Simple Voice Chat and Plasmo Voice

In-game voice chat is one reason SMP and roleplay servers feel alive: you hear the players next to you and not those far away. This guide explains how Minecraft voice chat works, which mods provide it, how to set it up and what to do when voice won't connect.

What proximity voice chat is

Regular voice chat (Discord and similar) is one room where everyone hears everyone. Proximity voice chat is different:

• volume depends on distance;
• sound comes from the player's direction;
• players out of range are silent;
• usually you can create a group to talk to friends at any distance.

Vanilla Minecraft has no such feature. Mods add it — the best known are Simple Voice Chat and Plasmo Voice.

How it works

Voice chat has two parts, both required:

1. Server side — a plugin or mod that receives audio and sends it to nearby players.
2. Client side — a mod on the player's computer that records the microphone and plays voices.

So even on a voice-enabled server, the plain client hears nothing — you can play, but silently. Voice travels over UDP on a separate connection.

Simple Voice Chat vs Plasmo Voice

The server decides which one you need, and the two are not compatible with each other.

Tip: check the Mods block and the description on the server page on Minecraft-Servera. For Forge/NeoForge servers the mod list comes from the ping and will contain voicechat (Simple Voice Chat) or plasmovoice (Plasmo Voice).

Installing voice chat as a player

Step 1. Find the mod and version

Check the server description, website or Discord: which mod, which game version, which loader.

Step 2. Install the loader and the mod

1. Install Fabric, Forge or NeoForge — see how to install mods.
2. Download the voice chat mod from Modrinth or CurseForge for your version and loader.
3. Fabric usually also needs Fabric API.
4. Put the files into mods and start the game.

If the server ships its own launcher or modpack, voice chat is probably already included.

Step 3. Allow microphone access

• Windows: Settings → Privacy → Microphone — allow desktop apps.
• macOS: allow the microphone for Java or the launcher when asked, or later in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.

Step 4. Configure the microphone in game

Key bindings for the voice menu and talking are listed (and can be changed) in Options → Controls. In the mod settings:

1. Choose the input (microphone) and output (headphones) devices.
2. Choose a mode: push-to-talk (talk only while holding a key — the calmest choice) or voice activation (set the threshold so background noise doesn't trigger it).
3. Check the microphone volume and enable noise suppression if available.

Tip: use headphones so your microphone doesn't pick up other players from your speakers.

"Voice chat not connected": fixes

1. Does the server have voice chat at all? The client mod needs the server side.
2. Same mod? Simple Voice Chat and Plasmo Voice don't mix.
3. Matching version? Update the mod for the server's game version.
4. Network. Voice uses UDP; some school/work networks, strict mobile NAT or VPNs block it. Try another network or turn off the VPN.
5. Server side. If nobody has voice, the server's UDP port is probably closed — tell the staff.

If you are connected but nobody hears you, check the OS microphone permission, the selected device and mute settings.

Staying safe

• Don't share your real name, address, school or phone number.
• Use push-to-talk when family is around.
• Remember others can record the conversation.
• Mute abusive players (both mods let you adjust individual player volume) and report them to the server staff.

Enabling voice chat on your server

1. Install the server side: Simple Voice Chat as a Paper/Spigot plugin or a Fabric/Forge/NeoForge server mod; Plasmo Voice following its documentation.
2. Open the UDP port. Simple Voice Chat uses a separate UDP port, 24454 by default (configurable). Hosting panels usually require allocating it; at home, forward it on your router. Plasmo Voice also uses UDP — see its config for the port.
3. Restart and test with two accounts.
4. State the mod and version in your server description with a Modrinth or CurseForge link.
5. Tick voice chat among your server's categories in the cabinet to appear in servers with voice chat.

Starting from scratch? See how to start a server.

Where to play with voice chat

• Servers with voice chat (a server is listed by category or when its mods include Simple Voice Chat or Plasmo Voice).
• Voice chat is popular on SMP and roleplay servers.
• Looking for company? Take the quiz and choose "with friends".