Few issues can break immersion in a story-driven game like God of War Ragnarök more than missing dialogue audio. When Kratos and Atreus move their lips but no voices are heard, the emotional weight of the story disappears. Fortunately, this problem is usually caused by audio settings, system configuration, or minor software glitches—and in most cases, it can be fixed quickly with the right troubleshooting steps.
TL;DR: If you have no dialogue sound in God of War Ragnarök, first check in-game audio settings to ensure dialogue volume is enabled and audio output matches your device. Then verify your console or PC sound settings, including HDMI output and surround sound configuration. Update the game and system software, and restart both your console and display. In persistent cases, rebuilding the database (PlayStation) or verifying game files (PC) often resolves the issue.
Why Dialogue Audio Goes Missing in God of War Ragnarök
Dialogue-specific audio issues are usually separate from general sound problems like missing music or sound effects. If you can hear background music, combat sounds, or ambient audio—but not character voices—the problem is likely related to:
- Incorrect audio output configuration
- Dialogue volume slider set to zero
- Surround sound incompatibility
- Corrupted game files
- HDMI handshake issues
- System firmware bugs
Understanding the root cause makes it easier to apply the right fix instead of randomly changing settings.
1. Check In-Game Audio Settings First
This is the most overlooked solution—and often the most effective.
Go to:
Settings → Audio & Subtitles
Carefully review the following:
- Dialogue Volume – Ensure it’s not set to 0.
- Dynamic Range – Switch from “Home Theater” to “TV” or “Headphones.”
- Audio Mix – Match this to your actual setup.
- Mono Audio – Turn on temporarily to test channel issues.
If you’re using TV speakers but the game is outputting 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, dialogue (often assigned to the center channel) may not play correctly.
Image not found in postmetaAfter adjusting settings, completely close and relaunch the game to see if the changes take effect.
2. Verify PlayStation Audio Output Settings
If in-game settings look correct, the issue may be with your console configuration.
On PlayStation 5:
- Go to Settings → Sound → Audio Output
- Check HDMI Device Type
- Try switching between:
- TV
- AV Amplifier
- Sound Bar
- Change Audio Format (Priority) to Linear PCM
On PlayStation 4:
- Go to Settings → Sound and Screen → Audio Output Settings
- Change Primary Output Port to HDMI
- Set Audio Format to PCM
Many users find that switching from Dolby or Bitstream to Linear PCM immediately restores dialogue audio.
3. Disable Surround Sound Temporarily
If your sound setup does not include a dedicated center speaker, dialogue may not come through properly.
Try these steps:
- Switch console output to Stereo
- Disable virtual surround on your TV
- Turn off soundbar surround modes
This forces dialogue to merge into left and right channels, making it audible again.
This fix resolves a significant number of “no voice but sound effects work” cases.
4. Restart All Hardware (Full Power Cycle)
Sometimes HDMI handshake issues cause specific audio channels to stop functioning correctly.
Perform a proper power cycle:
- Turn off your console completely (not rest mode).
- Unplug the power cable from console and TV.
- Wait at least 2 minutes.
- Reconnect everything and boot up.
This resets the audio pathway between your console, display, and sound system.
5. Update the Game and System Software
Audio bugs are sometimes tied to version mismatches or patched issues.
- Check for God of War Ragnarök updates.
- Install any pending PlayStation system updates.
Developers frequently issue silent fixes for audio sync and channel problems.
6. Rebuild Database (PlayStation Fix)
If the issue persists, rebuilding the database can repair corrupted data without deleting your games.
Steps for PS5:
- Turn off the console.
- Hold the power button until you hear two beeps.
- Connect your controller via USB.
- Select Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
This process reorganizes system storage and often resolves odd audio glitches.
7. Verify Game Files (PC Version Only)
If you’re playing on PC and dialogue audio is missing, corrupted or incomplete installation files may be responsible.
On Steam:
- Right-click the game in your Library.
- Select Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify integrity of game files.
This will scan and redownload missing or damaged files.
8. Test with Headphones
Connecting wired headphones directly to your controller is a powerful diagnostic step.
If dialogue works through headphones but not through TV speakers, the issue is almost certainly related to:
- TV audio configuration
- HDMI ARC issues
- Soundbar compatibility
If dialogue still doesn’t work through headphones, the issue is likely software-based.
Quick Fix Comparison Chart
| Fix Method | Difficulty | Time Required | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjust In-Game Audio Settings | Easy | 2–3 minutes | High |
| Switch to Linear PCM | Easy | 2 minutes | Very High |
| Disable Surround Sound | Easy | 3 minutes | High |
| Power Cycle Console and TV | Easy | 5 minutes | Moderate |
| Rebuild Database (PS5) | Medium | 10–15 minutes | High |
| Verify Game Files (PC) | Easy | 5–10 minutes | High |
9. Check HDMI Cable and Port
Faulty HDMI cables can cause partial audio loss—sometimes affecting only specific channels.
Try:
- Replacing the HDMI cable.
- Using a different HDMI port on your TV.
- Bypassing your soundbar temporarily.
Directly connecting your PlayStation to your TV can help determine whether external audio hardware is the cause.
When to Contact Support
If none of the above fixes resolve the issue, consider:
- Submitting a ticket to PlayStation Support.
- Checking Santa Monica Studio’s official support page.
- Reinstalling the game entirely.
A full reinstall should be your last option, but it can resolve deeply corrupted files.
Final Thoughts
God of War Ragnarök is a narrative masterpiece, and dialogue is at its core. Missing voice audio nearly always stems from center channel misconfiguration or incorrect audio formatting rather than a permanent game-breaking bug. By systematically checking in-game settings, console output configuration, and HDMI connections, most players can restore dialogue within minutes.
Approach the issue methodically, change one setting at a time, and test after each adjustment. In nearly every reported case, switching audio output to Linear PCM or disabling surround sound resolves the problem. With the right configuration, Kratos and Atreus will be back to delivering every line exactly as intended—clear, powerful, and immersive.