Microphone isn't working anymore since Windows 11

Question

Hello,

I have tried everything but my microphone Realtek is not working anymore since the settle of Windows 11.

I need an intervention on my laptop, can you do that from distance ?

Thank you

Sincerely

Answer 1

Please let me know if the above steps worked.Thanks!

Answer 2

Hi! Let me help you with this issue.

We can only provide you with instructions on how to fix your issue.

Please follow these steps to get this fixed.

Please hover your mouse over the sound icon in the lower-right corner, then right-click it and select Troubleshoot Sound. Let the troubleshooter finish its task, then this should either resolve the problem or display an error message.

If that doesn't work, we need to remove the Audio driver from the Device Manager and restart the PC to reinstall it.

Here are the steps to completely remove a Device from your computer.

Step 1. Use the Windows key + X shortcut.

Step 2. Select Device Manager.

Step 3. Expand the entry Sound, Video, and Game Controllers. Right-click the problematic device, which is either Realtek Audio, or AMD High-definition Audio, or High-Definition Audio, depending on the audio device installed in your PC, and select Uninstall device.

Step 4. You need to check the option Delete the driver software for this device and then click the Uninstall button.

Step 5. Reboot the computer.

After the reboot, please see if the problem is fixed.

If that still does not work, please visit the support website of your laptop or desktop and then download and install the latest Audio driver, then restart the PC.

Answer 3

Remote intervention is not available, but the issue can be troubleshot locally with these steps in Windows 11.

1. Check microphone privacy settings
   1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
   2. Turn Microphone access On.
   3. Turn Let apps access your microphone On.
   4. If the problem is with a specific app, make sure that app is allowed under the list of apps.
   5. If using desktop apps, ensure Let desktop apps access your microphone is On.
2. Make sure the correct input device is selected and working
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input, in Choose a device for speaking or recording, select the Realtek microphone (or the device name corresponding to the laptop mic).
   3. Select the > next to the device to open its properties.
   4. Under Input settings, select Start test, speak normally, then Stop test and Play the recorded sample. If nothing is recorded, continue with driver steps below.
3. Increase microphone volume
   1. In the same Sound settings page, with the Realtek mic selected, adjust the Input volume slider upward.
   2. Test again using Start test / Play.
4. Reinstall and update the audio driver (Realtek)
   1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right-click the Realtek audio device and select Uninstall device.
   4. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device) and select Uninstall.
   5. Repeat for any duplicate/extra audio devices if needed.
   6. Restart the PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the audio device and driver automatically.
   7. If it does not reinstall, open Device Manager again, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
   8. After the device appears, right-click the audio driver and select Update driver.
5. Run the audio/microphone troubleshooters
   1. Open Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Scroll down to Advanced and choose Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.
   3. Follow the wizard and apply any fixes it suggests.
6. If using a Surface device
   1. Ensure the correct input device is selected under Settings > System > Sound > Input.
   2. Adjust Input volume and turn off any Audio enhancements.
   3. Use Start test to verify the microphone.
   4. If still not working, manually update or reinstall Surface drivers and firmware using the guidance in Download drivers and firmware for Surface (see reference article).

If, after these steps, the Realtek/internal microphone still does not appear at all in Input devices or Device Manager, this can indicate a hardware fault on the laptop’s audio subsystem, in which case local professional repair from the device manufacturer or a service center is required.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Troubleshoot Surface sound and audio accessories