Using a voice chat app is a must if you like games like first-person shooters (FPS), online RPGs, or other types of cooperative games. The ability to stay connected without needing to type in new guides or updates will help your team stay competitive. If you need to know how to connect to a TeamSpeak server or run your own, see Step 1 below.
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Method 1 of 4: Downloading and Installing TeamSpeak
Step 1. Visit the TeamSpeak webpage
You can download the latest version for free from the TeamSpeak website. Click the green "Free Download" button on the webpage to download the latest 32-bit version for Windows, or click "More Downloads" to find download links for other operating systems.
- If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, download the 64-bit client for better performance.
- You will need to download and install the client even if you want to set up a TeamSpeak server.
Step 2. Accept the license terms
You must accept these rules before your download begins. Make sure you read all the rules to understand your rights, and check the "I Agree" checkbox.
Step 3. Install the client
Once the download is complete, run the installation file to start the installation. The installation process is the same as for most programs. Most users do not need to change any settings during installation.
Method 2 of 4: Setting up TeamSpeak
Step 1. Run the TeamSpeak client
Once setup is complete, run TeamSpeak for the first time. Before you connect to the server, you need to set up TeamSpeak to get optimal quality from your headphones or speakers.
Step 2. Start the Setup Wizard
If you have never started TeamSpeak before, the Setup Wizard will start when you run the program for the first time. If TeamSpeak has been used before, you can run the Setup Wizard by clicking Settings > Setup Wizard.
Step 3. Create a name
This name will be displayed to other users and administrators of your destination TeamSpeak server. This name is not your username, and has no effect on user accounts or security. This name is only useful as a display name. Enter a name and click Next > to continue.
You must create a name that is the same or similar to the name you use in the game. This will help your friends recognize you and make communication easier on the team
Step 4. Set your microphone activation settings
There are two ways to activate the microphone so you can speak: Voice Activation Detection (VAD) and Push-to-Talk (PTT). The VAD activates the microphone automatically when the microphone detects sound. PTT requires you to set the lock button to activate the microphone when pressed.
Most TeamSpeak servers recommend that users use PTT to prevent background noise from spreading. Using PTT will provide a better experience for you and your friends, but you must remember to press the button before speaking
Step 5. Set the lock button
When you select PTT, click the "No Hotkey Assigned" box. Any button you press after will become your PTT button. You can use any key on your keyboard or mouse. Make sure the button you choose is not used in the game.
Step 6. Set the microphone sensitivity
If you choose VAD, you need to adjust the sensitivity of your microphone. This sets the minimum volume limit that must be exceeded before the microphone starts to be activated. Click the Begin Test button to start the calibration process. Slide the switch while you are speaking to adjust the volume level that will activate the microphone.
Step 7. Set the switch to mute the microphone and speaker
This button will let you mute the microphone or speaker when you press it. Muting the microphone can be especially important if you use a VAD, as you can turn it off when your room is busy.
Click each button and press the key combination you want to apply to the function. Click Next > once you are satisfied with your choice
Step 8. Choose a sound package
TeamSpeak will sound when a user joins or leaves a channel, as well as notifying you if you are "pogged". You can choose between a male or female voice for notifications. You can hear a sample notification by clicking the Play button.
Step 9. Decide if you want to enable the overlay function and volume control
On this page, you have the option to add some features to TeamSpeak. Overlay lets you access the TeamSpeak interface on top of the program you're running, allowing you to see who's talking. This is especially useful in large groups. The volume control will turn down the volume of your game when your teammates are talking, which is especially useful when you are playing a game or playing loud music.
Overlays require extra resources and may not be suitable to run if your computer is having trouble playing games
Step 10. Complete the setup
On the last page of the Setup Wizard, you will be able to choose to open a list of public servers, a bookmark manager, and rent your own server. See the next section for how to connect to your team's server, or the last section for running your own server.
Method 3 of 4: Connect to Server
Step 1. Open the Connect window
Click Connections → Connect to open it. You can also press Ctrl+S to quickly open a window. This window will allow you to enter server information.
You can also click the TeamSpeak link on the site to launch the TeamSpeak client and connect to the server
Step 2. Enter the required information
You need to enter the channel address in the form of a name or IP address. Make sure you enter the server port, marked with a: after the port number. If your server requires a password, enter the password into the "Server Password" box. You can choose different profiles for the lock button and microphone, but you don't need to change them now.
- The name displayed will be the name you requested. If your name is already taken by someone on the server, your name will be changed.
- You can usually find TeamSpeak server information on your group's website or forum. Ask other members if you can't find it.
Step 3. Click the Connect button
TeamSpeak will try to connect to the server, and you will see the main window starting to fill up with information. You can see the connection status in the status frame at the bottom of the window.
Step 4. Browse the server
On the left side of the window, you will see a list of channels on the server. Channels may be password protected, or you will need to have admin privileges before you can enter them. A list of users will appear under each channel.
- Most large game groups will split the server into multiple channels depending on the game being played, as well as a dedicated Senior channel if the group is large. Server settings may vary depending on your group.
- Double click a channel to join. You can only chat with users on the same channel as you.
Step 5. Chat with other users via text
Besides being able to chat by voice, there is also a simple text chat channel on each channel. This feature can be accessed by clicking the tabs at the bottom of the window. Avoid storing important information or information/commands that need to be accessed quickly in text chats, as many players won't see them in the game.
Step 6. Bookmark the server you connect to frequently
If you plan to connect frequently to the server you are currently using, you can connect more easily by adding a bookmark. If you are currently connected to a server, click Bookmarks → Add to Bookmarks to add the server to your bookmarks list.
If you want to add another server, click Bookmarks → Manage Bookmarks to add it manually
Method 4 of 4: Running TeamSpeak Server
Step 1. Download the server software
TeamSpeak is free software for non-profit use, such as game groups. You can run a server device on your computer or a leased server for 32 users, or a special leased server for 512 users. If you need a bigger server, you should rent it from TeamSpeak.
- You can find the server software on the Downloads page on the TeamSpeak site. Make sure you download the correct version for the operating system you are using on the server. The file will be downloaded as an archive.
- You must accept the license terms before you can download.
Step 2. Extract the download archive
The file you download is an archive containing multiple files. Extract the archive so you can use the files in it. Extract the files in an easily accessible place, such as the desktop.
Step 3. Start the server
Run the application from the folder where it was extracted. You will see several new files and folders to be created, and a window will appear with important information. You will see your username, password and privilege key.
- Copy all the contents into a blank Notepad document. You can click the button on each piece of information to copy it to the clipboard.
- At this point, the server is already running. You must be connected to your server to set it up.
Step 4. Connect to the server
Open your TeamSpeak client. Open the Connect menu and enter localhost in the address bar. Replace your name with the name you want, and make sure the server password box is cleared. Click Connect.
Step 5. Get admin privileges
When you first connect to your server. You will be asked to enter the "privilege key" that you copied into Notepad. This lets you change the server configuration and grant permissions to other users. After entering the key, a server administrator icon will appear next to your name in the user list.
Step 6. Set up your server
Right-click the server name at the top of the channel list. Select the "Edit Virtual Server" menu. A window will appear allowing you to customize the server. You have various options to make your server more private.
- In the Server Name field, enter your server name. Usually, this name is based on the name of the gamegroup.
- Set a password for the server in the Password field. This can help ensure that only people you allow can access your server. Use forums or private messages to spread the password to the people you are addressing.
- In the Welcome Message field, enter a short message that will be displayed to users each time they connect. Use this feature to link to new news or important forum topics for your team.
Step 7. Add customization
Click the More button at the bottom of the "Manage Virtual Server" window to view various advanced configuration options. This allows you to manage in detail how your server works. The most important thing is on the Hosts tab.
On the Hosts tab, you can set the banner image that all users will see. You can also create a Host button that will appear at the top right of the screen. Many servers use this button to redirect users to the team's website
Step 8. Create a channel
If your group has multiple interests, you may want to create a few different channels to help keep your team on the topic of the game at hand. For example, if your group is playing two games, you can create a channel for each game, and a public channel. When players are playing, players can use the right channel, and when resting, they can use public channels so as not to disturb players who are playing.
- To create a channel, right-click the server name in the channel tree and click "Create Channel". You can set the channel name, channel description, password, and how permanent the channel is, as well as how the channels are sorted.
- You can create sub-channels within channels, which is very useful for large teams.
- The Permissions tab lets you set permission levels for various actions.
Step 9. Open the port
While most clients can connect to your server, opening multiple ports ensures that more people can connect. Access your router settings, and open the following ports: UDP 9987 & TCP 30033. UDP 9987 helps allow incoming connections, while TCP 30033 helps transfer files between users.
Step 10. Set up dynamic DNS
You can give your team members your IP address so they can connect, but the IP address may change at any time in the future. IP addresses are also not easy to remember. You can use a service like DynDNS to assign a hostname to your IP address, which will automatically redirect users to the server even when your IP changes.
