Mic not working on windows 10

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Microphone Is Not Working in Windows 10. How to Easily Fix It

Many users experience problems with microphones not recording sound, and being unable to use Skype and other similar apps. If your microphone isn’t working, this article will help you fix that.

Why Is My Microphone Not Working?

This problem has become more prevalent after the introduction of the Windows 10 Creators update. There are many reasons why internal and external microphones don’t work, including incorrect audio drivers, operating system issues, hardware problems, and so on.

How to Test My Microphone?

First, ensure that the microphone is not damaged. Connect the microphone to another computer. It would be even better if the other computer is not running the same operating system version.

For example, if you are using Windows 10, we recommend that you test your microphone on a computer running Windows 7 and so on. If the microphone is not working when connected to the other computer, the microphone itself is likely damaged.

If possible, connect a different microphone to your current computer and see if it works. This will help you determine if the problem is with the computer or microphone.

If you are using a desktop computer and an external microphone, try to connect it to the rear port of the computer. In some cases, front ports don’t always work.

If you tried connecting your microphone to another computer and it is working, read the guide below to find out how to fix this problem. The steps also apply to laptop computers with internal microphones.

Video Showing How to Fix Microphone Not Working on Windows 10:

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Run Windows Troubleshooter
• Make Sure That Microphone Is Enabled
• Set Your Microphone as a Default Device
• Make Sure That Microphone Is Not Muted
• Reinstall or Update Your Microphone Drivers
• Restart Windows Audio Service
• Restore Your System Using Restore Points
• Video Showing How to Fix Microphone Not Working on Windows 10

Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes several troubleshooters designed to quickly diagnose and automatically resolve various computer problems.

Go to Settings, type «troubleshoot», and select «Troubleshoot» from the list to start troubleshooting.

Find «Recording Audio» under «Find and fix other problems» and select it. Click «Run the troubleshooter» and follow the instructions. See if the Windows Update Troubleshooter solves the problem with the external or internal microphone. In addition, run the «Speech» troubleshooter.

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Make Sure That Microphone Is Enabled

Ensure that your microphone in the Windows 10 operating system is enabled. It may be simply turned off — the reason why it does not work. To see if it is enabled in Windows, go to Settings, find and click «Privacy».

In the Privacy settings window, find and select the «Microphone» section on the left pane. Ensure that the toggle under «Let apps use my microphone» is switched to the «On» position. If you are using your microphone with a particular application, check that you gave that app access to the microphone.

Find the app in the list and check that the toggle is switched to the «On» position. See if this solves the problem with the microphone.

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Set Your Microphone as a Default Device

If the external microphone is connected to your computer, this does not necessarily mean that it is set as the default device — you might need to do this manually.

To do so, right-click the speaker/volume icon and select «Recording devices» from the contextual menu.

In the Recording tab, select your microphone and then click «Set Default» to set it as the default recording device. Check if this solves the problem with the microphone.

If there is no microphone in the recording devices list, right-click on the empty space in the Recording tab window and enable the «Show Disabled Devices» and «Show Disconnected Devices» options.

The microphone should appear, and you will be able to set it as the default device by performing the step described previously.

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Make Sure That Microphone Is Not Muted

Another reason your microphone might not work is if it was muted or the volume set to a minimum.

To check, right-click the speaker icon in the Taskbar and select «Recording devices». Select the microphone (your recording device) and click «Properties».

In the Microphone Properties window, click the «Levels» tab and ensure that the speaker icon has no red sign beside it and the volume is set to 100. Check the changes if needed and click «Apply». See if the microphone problem persists.

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Reinstall or Update Your Microphone Drivers

A device driver provides information to the operating system and other software about how to interact with specific hardware. If the correct driver is not installed, the device might not function properly, if at all.

You can try to uninstall and then let Windows reinstall drivers automatically, or you can update drivers manually (or try both methods). To reinstall microphone drivers, type «device manager» in Search and click the «Device Manager» result.

Double-click «Audio inputs and outputs» (or click the arrow) in the Device Manager window to expand that section.

Right-click the recording device (your microphone) and select «Uninstall driver» from the contextual menu. Restart the computer, and Windows will reinstall the missing drivers.

If Windows fails to reinstall the driver, you can force the system to reinstall by going to Device Manager and right-clicking the computer name (it should be the first one on the list).

Select «Scan for hardware changes», and Windows will install the missing drivers.

If you want to update your drivers manually or automatically, right-click the recording device in Device Manager and select «Update driver» from the contextual menu.

You will be asked to search for updated driver software automatically online or browse the computer for driver software. If you select the first option, Windows will search the computer and Internet for the latest driver software for your device.

If you select the second option, you must locate and install drivers manually. Using this option requires having previously downloaded drivers to the computer or a USB flash drive.

Another way to update or install new drivers for devices is by using third-party software such as Snappy Driver Installer. Snappy Driver Installer (SDI) is a free driver updater for Windows. Drivers downloaded through Snappy Driver Installer are simply collections (packs) of drivers for various hardware such as sound devices, video cards, network adapters, etc. You can download Snappy Driver Installer from here. 

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Restart Windows Audio Service

Windows Services (also known as services.msc) are used to modify how Windows services run on your system. These services are responsible for running available programs and managing many system settings and resources. You can modify a service’s settings for security, troubleshooting, and performance-related reasons.

Windows Audio service manages audio for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If it is disabled, any services that depend on it will fail to start.

To restart Windows Audio services, press the Windows key + R on the keyboard or type run in Search and click the «Run» result to open the Run dialog box. Once it is open, type «services.msc» and press Enter on your keyboard or click «OK».

In the Services window, you will see a list of Windows services. Find the «Windows Audio» service and right-click it. Select «Restart» from the contextual menu. Alternatively, you can select «Stop» and then right-click it again and select «Start». Check if this solves the microphone problem.

If that does not work, right-click the «Windows Audio» service and select «Properties» from the contextual menu. Check if the «Startup type» is set to «Automatic» in the Windows Audio service properties window. If not, set it to Automatic and click «Apply» to save the changes. Restart the computer and see if this solves the problem.

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Restore Your System Using Restore Points

The System Restore tool creates restore points. A restore point is a collection of important system files stored by System Restore on a given date and time. System Restore reverts everything to a saved restore point, but first, you must have one recorded. If a restore point does not exist on your computer, System Restore has nothing to revert to.

To use this tool, you must have created restore points. With a created restore point, this feature will bring your system back to the previous working state without affecting your files and data.

Apply this method only if your microphone stopped working recently. For example, if this problem occurred after you updated Windows. If you have any system restore points created before you started experiencing issues with the microphone, you might be able to fix the problem by performing a System Restore.

To restore your system, launch Run by pressing the Windows Key + R and typing «rstrui.exe». In the Run dialog box, press Enter or click «OK».

In the System Restore window, click «Next».

If there are restore points created, you will see a list of them. Mark the «Show more restore points» checkbox. This should display more restore points. Select the most appropriate restore point (depending on the time created, etc.) and click «Next».

Do not select a Restore Point when the problems with your microphone are already present.

Confirm the restore point. Your computer will be restored to the state before the event detailed in the «Description» field. If you are happy with your choice, click «Finish» and begin the system restore process.

We hope that this guide was helpful and you can solve the problem with your microphone. If you know of another method that solved this problem not mentioned in our guide, please share it with us by leaving a comment in the section below.

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In this guide, we will talk about one of the biggest issues in Windows 10 & 11: how to fix the microphone settings.

In general, Windows 10 & 11 don’t easily work with many recording devices, even if they’re part of the computer. What we’ve found through our experience is that if a mic connected to a computer isn’t working it’s usually a settings problem and not a problem with the microphone itself.

If you don’t have any problems just yet – you just have a new microphone and you are unsure how to install it – check out our microphone installation guide.

Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 11 October 2021

One of the major issues when trying to fix microphone settings in Windows 11 is the slightly redesigned UI. Because of this, you’ll have to get familiar with the new Settings app and its interface. Otherwise, the process does exactly the same thing that it does on Windows 10.

First, get to the settings app and select “Privacy & Security” from the left-hand menu listing.

Afterward, focus on the right side of the Settings app and scroll down “App permissions” and “Microphone” after that.

Finally, you’re exactly on the page where you need to be. From here on out, the solution is almost seamless to understand even for beginners. Simply toggle the “Let apps access your microphone” switch if it is not turned on already. From there, turn on access for every app that you plan on using your microphone for communication and other activities.

Check If the Microphone Is Disabled

There are some instances when Windows 11 might not detect your drivers properly, seeing that it is a (very) new OS on the market. Because of this, you’ll need to check the device manager and/or, eventually, update the drivers yourself.

However, you should first check to see if this fact has “disabled” your device in the Device Manager. To access the Device Manager in Windows 10 or 11, simply type “device manager” in the search bar. Next, click on the app itself, as shown here:

Once you click on the appropriate icon, go to the “Audio inputs and outputs” dropdown, click on the arrow shape near the title, and then select your microphone device from the dropdown list. Right-click the appropriate device and select “Enable device.” That should now allow you to use your microphone properly.

Fastest Solution to Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 10 After April 2018 Update

If you’re still using Windows 10, and if the problem started after April 2018 (a major Windows 10 update), then the fastest solution might be this:

Many computers had a kind of privacy settings reset after Microsoft’s April major update. This reset made your apps and programs not able to access your webcam and microphone. Therefore, we should give them their access and permissions back. Follow me:

1. Open Settings from your start menu.
2. Click on Privacy in order to access all your privacy settings.
3. Select Microphone from the left pane and then click the Change button.
   

   

4. Now, turn on microphone for this device.
5. Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
6. Finally in the app list, make sure to turn on microphone access for every app you want to give permission to access your microphone.
   
7. Repeat the same exact steps but for your webcam this time.

Your mic still isn’t working?

Make sure it’s not a hardware issue

Let’s check that your mic isn’t damaged or faulty first and get that out of the way. The best way to check that is to connect your microphone to another computer running any operating system other than Windows 10.

If the microphone doesn’t work on the other computer too, that means it could be faulty. If it does work on the other computer that means you probably have a software problem on your Windows 10 computer.

On both PCs, if you’re using a desktop computer (not a laptop), make sure you’re connecting your microphone or headset to the back panel of the PC. The front audio ports aren’t always well connected to the motherboard.

Now that we know that it is a software problem, let’s get it fixed.

When you know your recording device is called “VIA HD audio” please click here

For a recording device that is called “IDT High Definition Audio Codec” please click here

If the problem concerns your gaming headset, or other microphone + headphones combo, check this out

For any video/audio recording software installation on your computer – check this

And finally if you’re having problems with a Bluetooth headset / pair of headphones /  microphone, then check that your Bluetooth is correctly configured first, with this article.

If none of these links above are relevant to you, keep reading.

Method I: Let’s fix some recording device settings

1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right part of the screen and choose Sounds.
2. Click on the Recording tab in order to see your recording devices list.
3. A list of recording devices will appear. Try speaking into your microphone, and see if there any green bars rising next to one of them while you talk (as in screenshot).
4. If you don’t see any green bars skip to step 5. If you do see green bars when you talk into the microphone, but it still doesn’t work in some program, then that means that the mic is correctly configured in Windows, but the program is listening to the wrong recording device. Try changing that program’s settings.
5. Check if you can recognize which one of the devices in the list is your microphone. If you found it, click on it to highlight it, and then click Set Default.

1. Check again if you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone. If you do your mic is now correctly setup. If not, continue to next step.
2. Double-click on the device that represents your microphone. The Microphone Properties window will appear. Click the Levels tab.
3. In the “Levels” tab make sure that “Microphone” and “Microphone Boost” are set to the maximum, you can do that by sliding them to the right until the first one shows 100 and the boost is set to +30.0 dB. Then click OK.
4. In the “Enhancements” tab (if found), make sure to uncheck the “Disable all sound effects” checkbox.
5. Now visit the “Advanced” tab too and make sure to uncheck the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” checkbox and click “OK“. (Also uncheck the “Enable audio enhancements” check box if found).
6. In the main recording devices panel, go to the “Communications” tab and select the “Do nothing” radio button and then click OK.
7. Restart your computer and recheck your recording devices panel. If you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone – your mic is now properly configured!
8. If you still don’t see any bars and you’re not 100% sure which one of the devices is the relevant one, try following steps 4-11 for every device on the list.

Method II: Uninstall and reinstall your microphone drivers

1. Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
2. Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
3. Left-click on your recording device.
4. In the menu that opens up Click ‘Uninstall’.
5. Physically disconnect your microphone from the computer.
6. Restart the computer.
7. Reconnect microphone and let Windows re-install the drivers.
8. If your Windows 10 updating gets stuck, this may prevent you from getting the latest drivers automatically. Check this guide to fix it.
9. If it didn’t work, I would suggest that you install the latest driver found on your computer manufacturer’s website manually, because sometimes the latest driver isn’t the one compatible with your computer. So you should search for your computer model number on the manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver that is compatible with your model number and Windows 10 and check if it works.
10. If you found your computer model on the website but can’t see a version for Windows 10 there, this means there aren’t compatible drivers for it yet and you may have to wait until they release some new drivers.
11. Next up are solutions only to specific devices, so if you read up to here and nothing worked, please head to our forum and we’ll try to help.

Method III: Specific solution for users with IDT High Definition Audio Codec device

1. Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
2. Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
3. Double click on your recording device ‘High Definition Audio Codec’.
4. Move to the ‘Driver’ tab.
5. Click ‘Update Driver’.
6. Then ‘Browse my computer for driver software’.
7. Click ‘Let me pickup a list of device drivers on my computer’.
8. Select ‘High Definition Audio Device’, and not ‘IDT High Def’, and click Next.
9. You will get a warning. Click “Yes”.
10. Check if it works.

Method IV: Specific solution for users with VIA HD Audio device

Many VIA users are experiencing problems with recording and/or playback since they moved to Windows 10. If you’re one of these people try to download and install Daniel_K’s modified drivers.

Method V: If the problem concerns your gaming headset or microphone + headphone combo:

First of all, make sure the connection type between your headset and your computer is the same. If your headset has 2 independent jacks, one for the audio and the other for the microphone, your computer must have independent ports as well. If it’s a 2 in 1 (one jack for both microphone and audio) then you computer must have one single port with a headset icon on it.

1. iPhone earphones and other headsets’ microphones with one single jack won’t work in case your computer has two ports, splitted. So you’ll need to buy one of these splitters:
2.  If your headset has two independent jacks and you want to connect both of them to the one headset port in your computer you will need one of these splitters:
3. If your connection is the same on the headset and in the computer, but the microphone still doesn’t work, you may try to convert to USB connection, use one of these converters:
   1. For 2 x 3.5mm jacks headsets
   2. For 1 x 3.5mm jack headsets
4. Uninstall any VoIP programs and applications, like Skype, Teamspeak or any other voice calling programs, then restart your computer and if your microphone works again now you can reinstall them.

Method VI: If you are using recording software

People who use recording software (Audio recording / screen recording)  have to check that your software is up-to-date, some people reported that an old version of flashback express screen recorder was muting their microphones.

Hopefully, using these methods helped you fix the microphone settings on your Windows 10. If not, keep reading!

Please note:

If you still have problems after reading this article and going through the steps, please ask your question in our forum, where we have an expert on the subject that will try his best to help you. As we learn more information through the forum we update this article with advice that is tailored to specific devices.

Suggested Read: Best Windows Explorer Alternatives

Final Thought

Every day, we encounter different problems on our computers and other devices that require immediate response so that our work won’t be put on hold. From typical system errors and installation of various devices to simple information about technical terms, our website offers most of your computer-related questions, especially for Windows 10. Check us out now and you may find helpful tutorials. Or you may directly ask about How To Remove Your WiFi Card.

With more video calls taking place than ever before, the importance of a reliable microphone has never been greater. 

Unless you’ve got a solid pair of
headphones, you might be relying on your laptop or PC’s built-in mic. 

This is perfectly serviceable most of the time, until it stops functioning altogether. If you’ve tried all the usual fixes but nothing seems to be working, here are some potential alternative solutions on Windows 10. 

Check microphone options

Your first port of call should be to check that your microphone has permission to run and that the relevant app can access it. 

Head to Settings > Privacy, where you’ll see Microphone under App Permission. Ensure it says ‘Microphone access for this device is on’, and that the ‘Allow apps to access your microphone’ toggle is ‘On’. 

From here, you can also choose which Microsoft Store apps have access to the microphone. Make sure the one you’re using is toggled on, especially if you can’t remember granting permission when you first downloaded it. 

Finally, at the bottom of this page you’ll see a heading which says ‘Allow desktop apps to access your microphone’. Make sure this is set to ‘On’ too. 

Under advanced sound options you should also see ‘App volume and device preferences’. It’s worth checking the volume here, as well as making sure the right input and output devices are selected. 

Check physical connections

If everything looks in order with permissions, you’ll want to double check that everything is connected as it should be. 

If you’re using an external microphone, this may be plugged into the USB-A port or headphone jack. Pull out the cable and plug it back in again, ensuring the connection is secure connection. It might also be worth restarting your PC in this instance. 

Run the troubleshooter

You may have only seen Windows 10’s troubleshooter appear when it detects an issue, but it can also be triggered manually. There’s even one specifically for problems with recording audio. 

Head to Settings > Update & Security and choose Troubleshoot. Recommended troubleshooting will display at the top of the page, but scroll down and you should see a ‘Playing audio’ option. Click this and then ‘Run the troubleshooter’ to get started. 

Head to Device Manager

If your software is up to date (there are regular bug fixes available on Windows 10), another thing worth updating is audio drivers. 

These are specific pieces of software that allow the microphone itself to communicate with the operating system. Updates are usually delivered automatically, but you can check for yourself in Device Manager. 

Type ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar next to the Start Menu and choose the first option that appears.

Under ‘Audio inputs and outputs’, you should see an option that says ‘Internal Microphone’. It may also say ‘Microphone Array’ on some devices. 

Right-click this and choose ‘Update driver’ and ensure it searches automatically for the latest version. 

From the same right-click you can also disable and re-enable, scan for hardware changes and even uninstall the device. However, we’d only recommend doing the latter if you have the driver file on hand to easily reinstall. 

If using an external microphone, it’s worth going to the manufacturer’s website to see if any relevant drivers can be installed on your device. 

If none of the above options have done the trick for you, it may be a hardware problem which requires professional attention. If you’re using an external mic, try connecting it to another device to see if it’s the accessory or the PC that’s causing problems.

Got issues with your audio output? Check out
how to fix sound problems in Windows 10 and
how to improve sound quality of your microphone.