TS3 Client Settings & Hotkey Reference
Quick-reference guide for the TeamSpeak 3 client — capture settings, hotkey assignments, identity backup, and solutions to the most common problems.
1 Capture Settings
Path: Tools → Options → Capture → Transmission Mode
Voice Activation
Microphone transmits automatically when sound exceeds a volume threshold. Drag the sensitivity slider until ambient noise (keyboard, fans) no longer triggers it. Useful for casual chat — not ideal in noisy environments.
Push-to-Talk
Transmits only while a bound key/button is held. The most common choice for gaming — prevents background noise from broadcasting. Bind a side mouse button or a dedicated key.
Continuous Transmission
Always transmits. Only recommended for streaming setups with noise-gate software (like NVIDIA RTX Voice) processing the signal before TS3.
Voice Activation tip: Click Test in Capture settings, speak at your normal volume, then adjust the threshold bar so the green meter stays below the red line during silence but rises above it when you speak.
2 Hotkey Reference
Path: Tools → Options → Hotkeys → Add
| Action | Common Binding | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Push-to-Talk | Side Mouse Button 1 | Global key — works in any app when enabled |
| Mute Microphone (toggle) | Alt+F8 | Quick mute without opening TS3 |
| Mute Headset (all audio) | Alt+F9 | Silences all TS3 output |
| Toggle Away/Back | Alt+F10 | Sets your away status |
| Volume Up | Ctrl+Alt+Up | Raises server volume |
| Volume Down | Ctrl+Alt+Down | Lowers server volume |
| Previous Channel | — | Navigate channel history |
| Next Channel | — | Navigate channel history |
| Activate Overlay | Shift+F12 | Toggle in-game overlay visibility |
Global PTT tip: Enable "Activate client with Windows" (Settings → System Tray) so TS3 starts minimized and global hotkeys work the moment you log in — before you've clicked the TS3 window.
3 Identity Export / Import
Why this matters: Your TS3 identity stores your security level (reputation). Losing it means re-earning trust on every server you visit. Export and back up your identity regularly.
Export (backup)
- 1.Tools → Identities
- 2.Select your identity from the list
- 3.Click Export
- 4.Save the
.inifile somewhere safe (cloud storage recommended)
Import (new PC or restore)
- 1.Tools → Identities
- 2.Click Import
- 3.Browse to your
.inibackup file - 4.Your identity and security level will be restored
Default identity file locations
Windows: %AppData%\TS3Client\
Linux: ~/.ts3client/
macOS: ~/.ts3client/
4 Common Problems
PTT key not registering
Run TeamSpeak 3 as administrator. Some games capture keyboard input at the driver level and prevent global hotkeys from reaching TS3 unless it has elevated privileges. Right-click ts3client_win64.exe → Properties → Compatibility → Run as Administrator.
Overlay not showing in fullscreen
Toggle DirectX mode in Overlay settings: Tools → Options → Addons → Overlay → Use DirectX overlay. Some games require borderless fullscreen rather than exclusive fullscreen for overlays to work.
Overlay not showing at all
Verify the addon is enabled: Tools → Options → Addons → Overlay → check "Enable TS3 Overlay". Also confirm the overlay executable is not blocked by antivirus or Windows Defender.
Identity lost / security level reset
If you have a backup, import it via Tools → Identities → Import. If no backup exists, you'll need to rebuild security level — increase it in the Identity settings. Level 8 is sufficient for most servers; level 25+ is required by some high-security servers.
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