microphone camera

Question

the microphone and camera is highlighted on in settings, however i cannot get it to work?

Answer 1

Dear Michael D. Jacinto, 

I’m sorry to hear that your microphone and camera are turned on in Settings but still are not working. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the AI-generated answer on your thread. In addition, please reply with the information requested by the Independent Advisor, as that information can help continue the troubleshooting more efficiently and reduce repeated questions.  

To narrow this down, could you please let me know the following: 

• Does this happen in all apps, or only in one specific app such as Teams or a browser?  
• Are you using the built-in camera/microphone on the device, or an external USB/Bluetooth one?  
• Did the issue begin after a Windows update, driver change, or app installation?  

In the meantime, please try the steps below: 

1. Restart the PC completely 

• A full restart can reload the camera and audio services and clear app sessions that may still be holding the devices.  

2. Check for a physical camera shutter, camera key, or microphone mute button 

• Some laptops include a camera switch/button or a privacy shutter, and some headsets include a mute button for the microphone.  
• Please check whether there is a shutter covering the camera lens, a keyboard key that turns the camera off/on, or a mute switch on the headset/cable.  

3. Close any app that may already be using the camera, then test again   

• Please close meeting apps, browsers, or recording tools, then reopen only one app and test again.  

4. Test the devices in built-in Windows apps 

• Please open the Camera app to see whether video appears there, and test the microphone with a built-in recording option if available.  

5. Update the camera and audio drivers from your PC manufacturer’s support website 

• If the issue continues, please also check for the latest camera, audio, and chipset drivers on your computer manufacturer’s support page using your exact device model. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope the steps above help get your microphone and camera working properly again. Wishing you a smooth experience with your Windows 10 device. 

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Answer 2

Hi,

1. What is the make and model of your device?

In the search bar, type MSINFO32 and hit Enter.

Please share a screenshot of that window.

2. Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

Click View > Show Hidden devices

Expand Camera Section.

Take a screenshot and share it here.

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In the meantime, please try running the Windows Troubleshooter. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters, then run the Recording Audio and Camera troubleshooters. These tools can automatically detect and fix issues preventing the microphone or camera from working.

Answer 3

Try these steps in Windows 10 to get the microphone and camera working even though they are turned on in Settings:

1. Check app permissions for microphone
   1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
   2. Select Change and make sure Allow apps to access your microphone is On.
   3. Under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone, turn On the apps that need it (for example, Camera, Teams, etc.).
   4. Make sure Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is set to On if using classic desktop apps.
2. Check app permissions for camera
   1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
   2. Make sure camera access for this device is On and Allow apps to access your camera is On.
   3. Turn On access for the specific apps that need the camera.
3. Make sure the correct microphone is selected and working
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input, choose the correct microphone in Choose your input device.
   3. Speak into the mic and check Test your microphone to confirm Windows is hearing audio.
4. If the microphone volume is low or silent
   1. In Settings > System > Sound, under Input, select your microphone and then Device properties.
   2. On the Levels tab, increase Microphone and Microphone Boost as needed, then select OK.
   3. Test again under Test your microphone.
5. If Windows is not detecting the microphone or camera at all
   1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software for this device (or Attempt to remove the driver for this device) and select Uninstall. Repeat for other audio devices if needed.
   4. Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the drivers automatically.
   5. If needed, open Device Manager again, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes, then Update driver on the audio device.

After these steps, test in the specific app (for example, Camera app or a calling app) to confirm both microphone and camera work.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems