Audio problems

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the audio working correctly because I still hear steam ui sounds on the menu but I hear
NOTHING in a game like VRChat, and I can't figure out how to use my mic In game I need this explained to me like im a 5 year old

I did just get alvr a little bit ago -5 hours ago as im posting this- and that might be why and I haven't been able to get good tutorial for it...but EVERYTHING WORKS FINE it's just im having a severe case of I can't comprehend how to change the audio

Windows 11