Common Bugs and Troubleshooting

Encountering glitches in Phasmophobia can halt investigations. Learn how to fix common bugs and general game instability to get back to hunting spirits.

Even the most seasoned ghost hunters encounter glitches in the field. This section details common bugs you might encounter in Phasmophobia and provides actionable troubleshooting steps to get you back to identifying those pesky spirits.

General Game Instability & Crashes

While Phasmophobia is generally stable, occasional crashes or freezes can occur, especially during intense ghost events or when switching maps.

• Verify Game Files: This is your first and most crucial step for any instability.
  1. Open your Steam client.
  2. Navigate to your Library.
  3. Right-click on Phasmophobia.
  4. Select Properties.
  5. Go to the Local Files tab.
  6. Click Verify integrity of game files....
  7. Allow Steam to complete the process. This can fix corrupted or missing files.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated drivers are a frequent cause of performance issues.
  • For NVIDIA users: Download and install the latest drivers from the official NVIDIA website or use GeForce Experience.
  • For AMD users: Download and install the latest drivers from the official AMD website or use AMD Radeon Software.
  • For Intel users: Download and install the latest drivers from the official Intel website.
• Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings: Lowering demanding settings can improve stability, especially on older hardware.
  • From the main menu, go to Options > Graphics.
  • Try reducing Resolution, Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, and Anti-Aliasing.
  • Consider disabling VSync if you experience input lag, but be aware of potential screen tearing.
• Run as Administrator: Sometimes, permission issues can cause crashes.
  1. Navigate to your Phasmophobia installation directory (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Phasmophobia).
  2. Right-click on Phasmophobia.exe.
  3. Select Run as administrator.
• Disable Overlays: Overlays from Steam, Discord, or other applications can sometimes conflict with the game.
  • Steam Overlay: In Steam, right-click Phasmophobia > Properties > General > uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game".
  • Discord Overlay: In Discord, go to User Settings > Game Overlay > toggle off "Enable in-game overlay".

Voice Recognition Issues (Spirit Box, Ouija Board)

Voice recognition is crucial for several ghost interactions. If your Spirit Box or Ouija Board isn't responding, try these steps:

• Check In-Game Audio Settings:
  1. From the main menu or in-game, go to Options > Audio.
  2. Ensure your correct Microphone Input Device is selected.
  3. Perform a Voice Recognition Test. Speak clearly into your microphone. If the bar doesn't move or the test fails, the issue is likely with your microphone setup.
  4. Adjust Microphone Input Volume if your voice is too quiet or too loud.
• Windows Microphone Privacy Settings: Windows 10/11 often restricts microphone access.
  1. Go to Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
  2. Ensure Microphone access is toggled On.
  3. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is toggled On.
  4. Scroll down and ensure Phasmophobia is listed and allowed access to your microphone. If it's not listed, try reinstalling the game or verifying files.
• Default Recording Device: Ensure your preferred microphone is set as the default in Windows.
  1. Right-click the Speaker icon in your system tray > Sound settings.
  2. Under Input, select your desired microphone.
  3. Click Device properties and ensure it's enabled and not muted.
• Speak Clearly and Naturally: The game's voice recognition works best with clear, concise questions. Avoid mumbling or shouting.
  • For Spirit Box: Stand in the dark, within range of the ghost. Ask questions like "Where are you?", "How old are you?", "Give us a sign."
  • For Ouija Board: Place it on a flat surface. Ask questions like "What is your name?", "How many are here?", "Are you old?"
• Restart the Game/Computer: A fresh start can often resolve temporary audio driver or software conflicts.

Multiplayer Connection Issues (Desync, Disconnects)

Playing with friends is a core part of Phasmophobia, but network issues can arise.

• Check Internet Connection: Ensure you and your teammates have a stable internet connection.
  • Perform a speed test (e.g., Speedtest.net) to check ping, download, and upload speeds.
  • If on Wi-Fi, try connecting via Ethernet for a more stable connection.
• Host's Connection: The host's internet connection is critical for smooth gameplay for all players. If the host has high ping or an unstable connection, others will experience lag and desync.
• Firewall/Antivirus: Your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking Phasmophobia's connection.
  1. Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus and try connecting.
  2. If this resolves the issue, add an exception for Phasmophobia.exe in your firewall/antivirus settings.
• Router Settings (Port Forwarding): While not always necessary, some routers benefit from port forwarding. Consult your router's manual or ISP for instructions. The default ports for Steam games are often:
  • TCP: 27015-27030, 27036-27037
  • UDP: 4380, 27000-27031, 27036
• Region Selection: Ensure all players are connecting to the same server region (e.g., North America, Europe, Asia). This can be selected from the main menu before joining/creating a lobby.
• Steam Server Issues: Occasionally, Steam's backend servers might experience issues. Check Steam Status for any reported outages.
• Rejoin Lobby: If you experience desync (e.g., items not appearing correctly, ghost events not syncing), try leaving and rejoining the lobby. The host might need to restart the contract.

Item Glitches (Missing Items, Duplication, Placement Issues)

Sometimes, your equipment might not behave as expected.

• Items Not Appearing in Truck:
  • Ensure you've actually purchased and selected the items in the equipment screen before starting the contract.
  • If items are missing after loading, try having the host restart the contract. If the issue persists, verify game files.
• Items Falling Through Floor/Walls: This is a known physics bug, especially on uneven terrain or near map boundaries.
  • Try to place items on flat, stable surfaces like tables, desks, or the floor in clear areas.
  • If an item falls through, it's often lost for that contract.
• Flashlight/Head-mounted Camera Not Turning On:
  • Ensure you have the item equipped in your hand (for flashlight) or on your head (for head-mounted camera).
  • Press the primary action key (default Right-Click) to toggle it on/off.
  • Check if the item is broken (indicated by a cracked texture or sparks). Broken items cannot be used.
  • If it's a flashlight, ensure it has battery life.
• Ghost Orb Not Appearing:
  • Ghost Orbs are often small and can be obscured by objects or lighting. Pan your camera slowly through the suspected ghost room, especially near the ceiling or furniture.
  • Ensure your camera's night vision is active.
  • Remember that not all ghosts have Ghost Orbs as evidence. Double-check your Journal (J key) for the ghost type's required evidence.

VR Specific Issues

Virtual Reality adds another layer of complexity, and unique bugs can arise.

• VR Headset Not Detected:
  • Ensure your VR headset (Oculus, Valve Index, HTC Vive) is properly connected and recognized by its respective software (Oculus App, SteamVR).
  • Launch SteamVR before launching Phasmophobia.
  • Try restarting your computer and VR headset.
• Controller Input Not Working/Incorrect:
  • Check battery levels in your VR controllers.
  • Ensure your controllers are paired and recognized by SteamVR.
  • In SteamVR settings, check controller bindings for Phasmophobia. Sometimes custom bindings can cause issues. Reset to default if necessary.
  • Restart SteamVR and Phasmophobia.
• Motion Sickness/Performance Issues in VR:
  • Lower in-game graphics settings (Resolution, Anti-Aliasing, Shadow Quality) to maintain a high and stable framerate.
  • Ensure your PC meets the recommended specifications for VR.
  • Adjust your VR headset's refresh rate and resolution settings in its native software.
  • Try different locomotion options in Phasmophobia's VR settings (e.g., teleport vs. smooth locomotion) to find what works best for you.

If you encounter a persistent bug not listed here, or if these steps don't resolve your issue, consider reporting it to the developers via the official Phasmophobia Discord server or their bug reporting channels. Provide as much detail as possible, including screenshots or video recordings if applicable.