My Lenovo laptop microphone is not working. What do I do?

Question

I have tried everything. I tried going on the interne and looking. Going through settings and still nothing works.

Answer 1

Check in the Device Manager, if you can locate any devices under Microphone, or Sounds, Audio input.

Answer 2

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

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You're referring to the laptop's built-in microphone, right?

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Please share a screenshot of the Recording tab of the sound options.

1. Press "Windows + R", type mmsys.cpl and press Enter;
2. Select the "Recording" tab and take the screenshot.

Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

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Also, open the Device Manager (Press "Windows + X" and select "Device Manager") and see if there are any devices labeled "Unknown Device" or with warning signs. Click the arrow to the left of each category icon to expand it and see the devices it contains.

Please share a screenshot of what you find.

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Looking forward to your reply.

Answer 3

Use these steps in Windows 11 to troubleshoot the built‑in microphone on the Lenovo laptop:

1. Check physical mic and mute

• If the laptop or headset has a hardware Mute switch or key, set it to unmuted.
• If using a headset, make sure it is fully plugged in or properly paired (for Bluetooth).

2. Make the correct microphone the default

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
2. In Input, go to Choose a device for speaking or recording and select the Lenovo’s internal microphone (or the device to use).
3. To test it, select > to the right of the device. On the properties page, select Start test under Microphone test and speak into the mic. Select Stop test, then Play under Recorded sample to hear it.

3. Allow apps to use the microphone

1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
2. Select Change, then turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
3. Under Allow desktop apps to access your microphone, make sure the switch is On.
4. If using a camera with a built‑in mic, also go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera and turn on camera access and app access.

4. Increase input volume

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
2. In Input, select the internal microphone.
3. Under Input settings, adjust the Input volume slider up, then use Start test / Stop test and Play to confirm the mic is loud enough.

5. If the mic is not detected at all

1. Right‑click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. If the internal audio device is present, right‑click it and select Uninstall device. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device) and select Uninstall. Repeat for other audio devices if needed.
4. Restart the laptop. Windows will try to reinstall audio devices and drivers automatically.
5. If nothing appears, open Device Manager again, right‑click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
6. After devices reappear, right‑click the audio driver and select Update driver.

6. Run the built‑in troubleshooter

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
2. Scroll down to Advanced and choose Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.
3. Follow the wizard’s recommendations. For additional options, select All sound devices under Advanced.

If the internal microphone still does not appear in Input devices after reinstalling and updating audio drivers, this can indicate a hardware issue with the laptop’s microphone module that may require Lenovo support or service.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A
• I don't see an audio input device - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A
• Internal Microphone not detected - Microsoft Q&A
• Mic stopped working about a month ago - Microsoft Q&A