How to fix microphone

Question

Microphone is not working. When testing it in systems settings, or trying to use it in teams and zoom, the microphone is not working/not picking up any sound. Drivers are all up to date and microphone seems to be enabled in device settings.

Answer 1

Hold down Windows + R keys, type in mmsys.cpl and hit enter. Then go to the Recording tab. Do you see the Microphone? If so, please make sure it is not disable (you can right click to enable it). Also make sure it is set as default device. Then double click on the microphone, go to Levels tab, make sure it is not muted.

Go to Windows Settings > Privacy > Microphone, make sure allow apps access is turned on.

If all is good above, please type msinfo32.exe in the search on the taskbar and hit enter, then share a screenshot of the pop up please.

Answer 2

Try these steps in order on Windows to fix a microphone that appears enabled but picks up no sound:

1. Confirm Windows is using the correct input device
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input, in Choose a device for speaking or recording / Choose your input device, select the correct microphone. If it is not listed, select Add device and pair/connect it.
   3. Make sure the Volume/Input volume slider is turned up and not muted.
   4. Use Test your microphone on that page and speak; if the bar does not move, continue below.
2. Check privacy permissions for the microphone
   1. Open Settings > Privacy & security.
   2. Under App permissions, select Microphone.
   3. Turn on Microphone access.
   4. Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
   5. Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone.
   6. If using Microsoft Teams (work or school), ensure its toggle is on.
   7. Close all apps and restart the PC.
3. Re‑enable the microphone device
   1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input, select your microphone, then go to Device properties or Advanced > More sound settings.
   3. In the classic Sound window, open the Recording tab.
   4. Right‑click your microphone and select Enable (if available).
4. Increase microphone level
   1. In the Recording tab, right‑click your microphone and select Properties.
   2. On the Levels tab (Windows 10) or under Input settings (Windows 11), raise Microphone (and Microphone Boost if present).
   3. Use Start test (Windows 11) or Test your microphone and speak normally to confirm the bar moves.
5. Reinstall or repair audio drivers if the mic is not detected correctly If Windows or apps intermittently do not detect the microphone, or it never appears as an input device:
   1. Right‑click Start and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right‑click the relevant audio device and select Uninstall device.
   4. Check Delete the driver software for this device / Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
   5. Repeat for other problematic audio devices if needed.
   6. Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls audio devices automatically.
   7. If they do not reinstall, in Device Manager right‑click Sound, video and game controllers and select Scan for hardware changes.
   8. After devices reappear, right‑click the audio driver and select Update driver.
6. If the microphone still does not work anywhere
   • Verify the microphone or headset is firmly connected and, if external, that any hardware mute or power switch on the mic is turned on.
   • Test the microphone on another device (if possible) to rule out hardware failure.

If the issue is only in Teams (and not in the Windows sound test), also verify in Teams settings that the correct microphone is selected and that Teams has permission to use the mic as described above.

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References:

• My microphone isn't working in Microsoft Teams
• Fix microphone problems