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How Do I Connect Crew Chief to Iracing

Struggling with how do i connect crew chief to iracing? This quick guide for iRacing drivers shows the exact steps, common fixes, and tips to get you going fast.

If you’re asking “how do i connect crew chief to iracing,” the short answer: install Crew Chief, choose iRacing in the app, click Start, then join a driving session. You’re in the right place—below are the exact steps, the typical iRacing settings to check, and quick fixes if it won’t connect.

Quick Answer

To connect Crew Chief to iRacing, install and open Crew Chief, set Game to iRacing, download the sound pack when prompted, click Start Application, then launch iRacing and enter a session. Turn down or disable the in-game spotter to avoid duplicate calls. You should hear “Radio check” when it connects.

What’s Really Going On

Crew Chief reads iRacing’s live data when the sim is actually on track (not just in the UI). If Crew Chief says “Waiting for iRacing,” you’re likely not in a session yet, the sound pack isn’t installed, or the apps are running with mismatched permissions. Audio issues often come from the wrong output device or double spotters (Crew Chief + iRacing’s built-in).

Step-by-Step Fix: how do i connect crew chief to iracing

  1. Install and open Crew Chief
    Download from the official site, install, and run it.

  2. Choose the game
    In the top-left Game list, select iRacing.

  3. Get the sounds
    On first run, click Download sound pack and Download driver names. Without this, you won’t hear the spotter.

  4. Set audio output
    In Crew Chief’s settings, pick the correct Output device (your headset/speakers). Adjust volume sliders if needed.

  5. Start Crew Chief
    Click Start Application. It will wait for iRacing.

  6. Launch iRacing and join a session
    Open iRacing, enter a test or official session so the sim is on track. Crew Chief should say “Radio check.”

  7. Prevent double spotters
    In iRacing settings (Sound), either disable the built-in spotter or set its volume to zero so you only hear Crew Chief.

Optional: Voice commands
If you want voice commands, bind a button to “Talk to Crew Chief” in the app and set your microphone. It’s not required for spotter calls.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • If Crew Chief doesn’t connect, make sure you’re actually in a driving session—not just the iRacing UI.
  • Run both apps at the same permission level. If iRacing runs as admin, run Crew Chief as admin too.
  • Use the Windows Volume Mixer to balance Crew Chief vs game audio quickly.
  • Update the app and sound pack regularly inside Crew Chief.
  • For a clean iRacing setup, keep only one spotter active (preferably Crew Chief).

FAQs

  • Why does Crew Chief say “Waiting for iRacing”?
    You’re not in a session yet, or permissions don’t match. Enter a track session and ensure both apps run at the same admin level.

  • Can I use Crew Chief and the iRacing spotter together?
    You can, but you’ll get duplicate calls. Disable the in-game spotter or set its volume to zero.

  • Do I need voice commands for Crew Chief to work?
    No. Voice is optional. The spotter and messages work without it.

  • Which iRacing settings matter for audio?
    Sound tab: set spotter volume (or disable it), confirm your output device in Windows, and adjust Crew Chief’s own volume sliders.

Short Wrap-Up

Connecting Crew Chief to iRacing is simple: pick iRacing in Crew Chief, start the app, then join a session. If it’s quiet, check the sound pack, output device, and disable the in-game spotter. Next session, test a practice lobby to confirm “Radio check” before you race.