Microphone usage has increased with the advancement of technology and the shifting of traditional meeting modes to remote one. You can call it an integral part of the online world and professional life.
With frequent microphone usage, you might face the Microphone Not Working Windows 10/11 Issue.
Both hardware and software errors can lead to this. If you are facing the same issue, follow the steps given in the article for the required fixes.
Why is the Microphone Not Working Windows 10?
1. System Compatibility
The mic that comes with your headset may not be compatible with the laptop, or if you connect the device to the system without checking the compatibility of the device, it can give rise to the microphone not working issue.
2. Outdated drivers
Faulty drivers affect the smooth working of the device. If you have to go your driver corrupted or malfunctioned, it results in device failure.
3. Hardware issues
The headphone or headset you use with your device might not be good quality. Therefore, they fail to work with your device.
Moreover, broken counterparts or connections can also lead to the microphone needing to be fixed.
4. External device interference
The microphone may get interfered with the internal or external PC microphone, or interference may arise due to Bluetooth devices.
5. Settings Faults
Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 10 issue may arise due to faulty audio settings on your device. Sometimes, the main audio is muted, due to which the microphone fails to work.
How to Test Microphone Access on Windows 10?
Before you go towards fixing your microphone, not working windows, you must test your microphone. It will let you know that your system is compatible with a microphone and has permission to input audio.
- Click on the Windows button and go to Settings.
- All windows settings would be displayed on the screen. Click on privacy.
- Under app permissions, click on the microphone.
- Toggle the switch to on under allow apps to access your microphone.
Methods To Fix Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 Issue
Here are a few fixes for the Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 Issue.
- Check Connections
- Set the default recording device
- Disable app-exclusive control
- Check System Compatibility
- Connect Bluetooth headset manually
- Update the Drivers
- Uninstall the microphone
- Uninstall suspicious VOIP apps
- Perform Windows Update
- Restart Windows Audio Service
- Run Windows Troubleshooter
- Hardware issues in Mic
1. Check Connections
Most of the time, the device becomes faulty, and the cable connection of your microphone to your device might be broken, or the port in which you are plugging in becomes damaged.
Before proceeding with any software setting, you must make sure that the connections are correct and that the cable and port are in good condition.
2. Set the default recording device
Sometimes, your device’s external and internal mic might interfere with each other. This issue can be resolved by setting a default recording device.
- Press the Window + R keys together to launch the run dialogue box.
- Type control panel and click on OK. You can open the control panel directly from the start menu too.
- Go to Hardware and Sounds in Adjust your computer’s setting menu.
- Click on sound.
- You will see the recording devices here in the recording tab.
- Right-click the empty area in the list. A dialogue box will appear.
- Select show disabled devices and show disconnected devices.
- Right-click on the devices and make sure they are enabled.
- Speak into your microphone but stay away from other ones to avoid confusion. The particular mic is working properly if you notice any bars rising on the screen.
- Click on the device where you see green bars. Enable the device and disable the other ones.
3. Disable app-exclusive control
If you have followed the previous step but are still facing the Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 issue, follow this step.
- Select the microphone from your recording devices list and click on properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- Uncheck two options: Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device and Give exclusive mode applications running a priority.
4. Check System Compatibility
Mainly four types of microphones are there:
A headset with two 3.5mm jacks, one for the mic and the other for audio.
- A headset with a mic but only one jack where the mic and headphones are integrated into the same 3.5 mm jack.
- USB headset with a microphone.
- Bluetooth headset and microphone.
The last two are easy to connect and create almost no hurdles, but the first two are somehow nasty.
If your headphone is of the first type, which means two jacks for connectivity, your laptop should have two ports.
One can be red, and the other one can be green. So, you insert both jacks at a time. If your laptop has a single port, you can buy a converter to attack double jacks with it.
However, if you have type second mic with headphones, only a single jack is required to turn your audio on.
You can connect directly to the laptop with one port. You can also use a converter for your headphones with the single jack to allow connectivity in dual-port laptops. Moreover, USB converters are also available to connect via USB ports.
5. Connect Bluetooth headset manually
If you use Bluetooth microphones, then they automatically get connected when your device and headset both have Bluetooth switched on.
Sometimes, direct connectivity is not possible. This is faced when another Bluetooth device around you can interfere with the mic. You can solve this issue by three methods.
Method I:
- Click the speaker icon and switch to the laptop speaker.
- Switch again to the Bluetooth headset.
- Be careful to select hand free or headset option instead of a stereo one to make your microphone work without any trouble.
Method II:
- Go to the control panel. Then click on hardware and sound.
- Find the headset listed in the recording device tab. Right-click on it and choose to disconnect and then connect again. It will fix the misconnections and errors in connectivity.
Method III
- If your headset is connected and you are still facing mic issues, follow these fixes.
- Go to settings.
- Open devices and click on Bluetooth and other devices.
- Click on the headset and choose remove device.
- Click on add a device and select Bluetooth to add the device again.
- The system will scan for available devices.
Pro tip: Turn off the Bluetooth and turn it on again to fix 90% of the Bluetooth connectivity problems.
Click on download over metered connections in the Bluetooth menu to update the Bluetooth drivers when needed.
6. Update the Drivers
Windows 10 already updates the audio drivers on your device. However, sometimes due to a faulty internet connection, the up-to-date window driver is not installed. This may cause the microphone not to work with windows issues.
- Press the Windows + X logo and click on device manager.
- Go to sound, video, and games controllers and right-click on High definition audio device. Expand and click update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will find a new driver or will update the later one.
If the problem still persists, try to update the drivers again and reboot the computer or laptop. Keep checking for driver updates for the smooth working of your devices.
7. Uninstall the microphone
When you connect a headset to your computer, then it appears in the devices and printers list in the control panel.
You can remove it to disconnect and reconnect the device. The device will get reinstalled, and the Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 problem might get resolved.
- Open the Start menu and select the control panel from the list. If you can’t find then type Control panel in the search bar.
- Select devices and printers.
- Locate your headset. Right-click on it and select remove device.
- Once you uninstall the headset, disconnect it and connect again. It will automatically get reconnected.
8. Uninstall suspicious VOIP apps
Voice-over IP apps are for audio chats and video chats like zoom, skype, Vier, Team Speak, etc.
Sometimes, if you prevent the exclusive control of VOIP apps, the microphone settings can be affected by them and stop functioning properly. You should check on VOIP applications and uninstall the ones that may cause a problem.
Pre-installed applications on Windows 10, like Skype and Wechat, can also interfere with the normal working of the microphone.
Uninstall them to check whether the Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 issue is resolved or not.
9. Perform Windows Update
If you have applied all the above fixes and are still facing the Microphone Not Working In Windows 11 problem.
It’s time to update windows. Windows updates are installed directly on your device but can pause due to internet issues. To perform window updates, follow these simple steps.
- Go to the start menu and click on settings.
- Go to Windows Updates.
- In the right pane, find the Check for Updates button. If your PC is already undergoing a Window Update, this option is not available.
- Let windows install the updates. Reboot your computer after updates are completed.
10. Restart Windows Audio Service
Windows 10 allows users to restart the devices from the system. To restart the audio device, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + X keys and click on device manager.
- Click on Microphone and select Disable device.
- Reboot the computer. The device will be installed automatically with the developer’s recommended settings.
11. Run Windows Troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in feature to locate the errors in the system and recommend the fixes.
This feature is known as Windows troubleshooter. Different programs have different troubleshooters. Follow these steps to fix the Microphone Not Working In Windows 10/11 issue through troubleshooting.
- Open settings and go to Update and security.
- Click on troubleshot and select Additional troubleshooters.
- Locate and click on speech.
- The troubleshooter will look for the errors and recommend the fixes.
12. Hardware issues in Mic
Hardware issues in the headset with a mic or microphone alone may arise due to broken connections and water or dust accumulation damage.
They can also occur due to damage to counterparts or jacks that connect them to the output device.
In case of hardware issues, replacement is needed. While replacing your devices, ports, or jacks, make sure to buy high-quality products to avoid replacing them again and again.
Moreover, compatibility is an important factor that must be kept in mind while buying a new microphone.
