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How Do I Enable Crew Chief in Iracing

Need how do i enable crew chief in iracing? This quick guide for iRacing drivers shows how to install, connect, and set audio so Crew Chief works—fix it fast.

If you’re here for “how do i enable crew chief in iracing,” the short answer: install the free Crew Chief app, set the game to iRacing, click Start, and adjust your iRacing sound settings so you don’t get double spotter calls. Follow the steps below to get it working in minutes.

Quick Answer: how do i enable crew chief in iracing

Install the free Crew Chief app, choose iRacing in the app’s Game list, download the sound pack, click Start Application, then join an iRacing session. In iRacing’s Sound options, mute or lower the in-game spotter to avoid duplicate calls.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing has a built-in spotter voice. Crew Chief is a separate (free) app that gives more detailed radio calls: gaps, tire wear hints, incident warnings, and fuel info. “Enabling” it means running Crew Chief alongside iRacing and choosing the right iRacing settings so you hear the Crew Chief radio clearly without conflicts.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Download and install Crew Chief:
    • From thecrewchief.org or Steam. It’s free (donationware).
  2. Open Crew Chief and select the game:
    • In the top-left dropdown, choose iRacing.
  3. Get the sounds:
    • Click Download sound pack and Download driver names. Let it finish.
  4. Check audio devices:
    • In Crew Chief, pick your output device (headset or speakers). Set volume. In Windows, set the same default device you use for iRacing.
  5. Optional: Enable voice commands:
    • In Crew Chief, tick Enable voice recognition and bind a Push-To-Talk key (different from your in-game radio button).
  6. Start Crew Chief:
    • Click Start Application. It will show “Waiting for iRacing.”
  7. Launch iRacing and join a session:
    • Once the sim loads into the car, Crew Chief should announce it’s connected.
  8. Prevent double spotter calls:
    • In iRacing: Options > Sound. Either set Spotter to Off or lower Spotter volume to 0 if you want Crew Chief only. If you prefer both, balance volumes to taste.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Start order doesn’t matter much, but starting Crew Chief before joining the session makes connection clearer.
  • If you hear nothing, check Windows “Communications” settings and disable ducking (don’t reduce volume when a call is detected).
  • Allow Crew Chief through your firewall; if hotkeys don’t work, try Run as administrator.
  • Crew Chief only “connects” once you’re actually in a car on track or in the sim session, not just in the UI.
  • Map a wheel button for Crew Chief PTT (voice commands) if you use them; keep it separate from iRacing’s radio key.

FAQs

  • Is Crew Chief free for iRacing? Yes. It’s free (donationware). You can download it from thecrewchief.org or Steam.

  • Do I need to disable the iRacing spotter? No, but you’ll get duplicate calls. Most drivers mute the in-game spotter and use Crew Chief only.

  • Crew Chief isn’t talking—what did I miss? Make sure you downloaded the sound pack, selected iRacing in the app, clicked Start Application, and are fully in a session. Check output device and volumes.

  • Can I use voice commands with Crew Chief? Yes. Enable voice recognition in Crew Chief and bind a Push-To-Talk key. Use plain phrases like “How’s my fuel?” or “Box this lap.”

Short Wrap-Up

To solve “how do i enable crew chief in iracing,” install Crew Chief, set the game to iRacing, start the app, and adjust iRacing sound so you don’t get double calls. Next session, test in a solo practice to confirm volumes and voice command bindings before racing.