How do I increase mic volume and use Active Pause (and other built-in actions) in MSFS?

Mic volume, Active Pause, and “built-in actions” in MSFS

Here’s the practical way to tackle each item.

1) Increasing your mic volume
MSFS itself doesn’t really give you a “mic gain” slider like some comms apps do, so you usually handle this at the Windows/input-device level.

1. Check the mic is the one MSFS is actually using
   Go to Windows Settings -> System -> Sound -> Input and confirm the correct microphone is selected as your default input device.

2. Raise the input level
   In that same Input section, look for the device properties/level slider and raise the mic level. If there’s a Microphone Boost option for your device/driver, try a small boost (too much will add hiss/distortion).

3. If you’re using a USB headset/interface
   Many USB headsets and audio interfaces have their own control panel or hardware gain knob. Make sure the physical gain isn’t turned down.

4. Quick sanity check
   Use the Windows “Test your microphone” meter (or any basic voice recorder app) to confirm your voice peaks into a healthy range without constantly hitting the top.

2) Initiating Active Pause
Active Pause is a key binding in MSFS. The simplest path is:

1. From the main menu: Options -> Controls Options
2. Pick your input device (Keyboard, yoke, joystick, etc.)
3. Use the Search box and type:
   active pause

4. Bind a button/key to the Active Pause action (or confirm what it’s currently set to).

Notes:

• If it “does nothing,” it’s often because it’s unbound, bound on a different device profile, or there’s a conflict with another command.
• Also double-check you’re editing the same control profile you’re actually flying with (easy to miss if you have multiple profiles).

3) List/handbook of actions (built-in commands)
The closest “complete list” is essentially the in-sim control binding list itself.

1. Go to Options -> Controls Options
2. Select the device (Keyboard / mouse / controller / joystick)
3. Use the filter/search for categories and keywords (e.g. “pause,” “ATC,” “lights,” “camera,” “autopilot,” etc.)
4. You can also toggle filters like “Assigned” vs “All” so you can see everything available, not just what’s currently mapped.

A couple quick questions so I can give you the exact clicks for your setup

• Are you on Windows 10 or Windows 11?
• What are you trying to use the mic for in MSFS (in-sim ATC via voice, multiplayer voice, a third-party app like Discord/VATSIM/IVAO, etc.)?
• Keyboard only, or do you want Active Pause mapped to a yoke/joystick button (what hardware)?