Microphone is working but no sound

Question

In my audio settings I ran a test and the volume meter is jumping. I ran a trouble shoot and it is connected. Why can't i hear to echo sound on it?

Answer 1

Hi Jamie Teague,

I understand how confusing it can be when Windows shows the microphone is picking up sound, but you can’t hear any test or echo playback. Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, please try the following.

Step 1: Enable “Listen to this device”

1. Right‑click the speaker icon in the system tray > select “Sound settings”
2. Scroll down and select “More sound settings”
3. Go to the “Recording” tab
4. Select your microphone > “Properties”
5. Open the “Listen” tab
6. Check “Listen to this device”
7. Under “Playback through this device”, select your speakers or headphones
8. Click “Apply” > “OK”

Step 2: Confirm speaker volume is not muted at app level

1. Right‑click the speaker icon > “Volume mixer”
2. Make sure:
   • System sounds
   • Settings
   • Any test app/browser are not muted and have volume turned up

Step 3: Test using an official Windows sound

• Go to Settings > System > Sound
• Under Output, click “Test”
• If no sound plays at all, the issue is confirmed to be output‑side, not microphone‑side

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Answer 2

Hi! Let me help you.

Do you have any external microphones connected, or are you using the internal microphone?

Answer 3

Since the volume meter is moving, the microphone is picking up sound; the issue is likely with how the test/echo is being played back or with privacy/app settings.

Try these steps in Windows 11:

1. Confirm the correct output device (speakers/headset) is selected and working
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Output, make sure the device actually being used to listen (speakers/headphones) is selected.
   • Use any normal audio (e.g., a video or system sound) to confirm that output audio works at all. If there is no sound from anything, follow the general audio troubleshooting in the sound article, including the audio troubleshooter and driver checks.
2. Verify microphone input device and level
   • In Settings > System > Sound, under Input, select the microphone being tested.
   • Select the device, then on its properties page use Start test, speak normally, then Stop test and Play the recorded sample. If nothing is heard, increase the Input volume slider and test again.
   • If the meter moves but the playback is still silent, this again points to an output/speaker issue rather than the microphone itself.
3. Check microphone privacy settings (apps may not be allowed to use the mic)
   • Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security.
   • Under App permissions, select Microphone.
   • Make sure Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone are both On.
   • If the echo/test is in a specific app (for example, a calling app), scroll down and ensure that app’s toggle is On under the list of apps.
4. If Windows or the app is not detecting the mic correctly
   • If at any point Windows stops detecting the microphone, reinstall the audio drivers:
     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 Attempt to remove/Delete the driver for this device, then Uninstall.
     4. Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the drivers automatically.
     5. If needed, in Device Manager use Scan for hardware changes, then Update driver on the audio device.

If the microphone test in Windows plays back correctly but an external “echo test” (for example, in a conferencing app) is still silent, focus on that app’s audio settings: select the same input and output devices that work in Windows and confirm the app has microphone permission enabled in the privacy settings.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• cannot increase volume even if trouble shooter updates it - Microsoft Q&A
• No audio with Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• internal microphone on windows 11 not working - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix this. no audio device is installed - Microsoft Q&A
• My audio inputs and outputs suddenly disappeared, how do i fix this? - Microsoft Q&A