Kraken Tournament Edition, mic stopped working in apps but not in sidetone? Last updated 5 days ago.

SN868084U04704383

I don't understand, the only thing suggesting an issue is the date it was last modified/auto-updated...... and that was a few days ago.
audio is just fine, and even the microphone functions just fine as whenever i do a "mic/voice check-test" I easily hear my phone, as also in Sidetone. I first noticed it in DayZ when someone started talking to me asking if i had a mic and it seemed tho he was unable to hear me.

so i tried discord. SAME THING. steam SAME thing. I don't get it I literally don't think any trouble shooting suggestions would be worth posting since i've been at this for 3 hours and i'm about to smash something so f it i'll ask for help.

I've done a plethora of differently phrased sentences and questions into google and got lots of advice just nothing that helped.
no the mute is not toggled via button nor the switch. It's connected to the controller via AUX which connects via USB (yes i have tried alternating ports even different usb versions!)

What could this possibly be. PLEASE help. i can't even play my two favourite games (and i also just got back into hell let loose and now i can't play that either as all three games require microphones for functionality and immersion.

ask away i'll be up even though it's 2:59am since i'm too furious over spending this much time on troubleshooting a simple MICROPHONE.....i fix computer's for money, i build computer's for ppl. trouble shooting is my jam.
but spending more time on a microphone that IS OBVIOUSLY FUNCTIONAL but doesn't play audio in application's is apparently BEYOND ME.

thanks in advance.