Cannot detect microphone

Question

Unable to detect an input microphone on laptop. Output is working fine but no input found

Answer 1

Hello, I’m here to help!

Press Win + R, type mmsys.cpl and press Enter

Go to the Recording tab

Right-click on any empty/blank area in the list

Enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices

If your microphone appears (greyed out), right-click > Enable

Then right-click again > Set as Default Device and test

Answer 2

Try these steps in order on the laptop:

1. Check app permissions for the microphone (Windows 10/11)
   • Windows 11: Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
     • Turn Microphone access On.
     • Turn Let apps access your microphone On and ensure Let desktop apps access your microphone is On.
   • Windows 10: Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
     • Select Change, then turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
     • Under Allow desktop apps to access your microphone, set the switch to On.
2. Confirm the correct input device and test it
   • Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Sound. Under Input, select the internal microphone and then:
     • Use Start test, speak normally, then Stop test and Play the sample. Adjust Input volume if needed.
   • Windows 10: Start > Settings > System > Sound. Under Input:
     • Ensure the internal microphone is selected in Choose your input device.
     • Speak and check Test your microphone to see if the bar moves.
3. Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter (Windows 10)
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
   • Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter and apply any fixes it suggests.
4. Reinstall audio drivers if no input device is detected at all
   If there is no microphone device listed, reinstall the audio drivers:
   1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right-click each audio device 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.
   4. Restart the PC. Windows will try to reinstall audio devices automatically. If it does not, open Device Manager, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
   5. After devices reappear, right-click the audio driver and select Update driver.
5. Basic hardware checks
   • Ensure any external headset/mic is firmly plugged in or Bluetooth headsets are paired and connected (if using one).
   • If the laptop has a physical mic mute key or switch, make sure it is not muted.

If, after these steps, there is still no internal microphone listed as an input device, this can indicate a hardware fault and the laptop manufacturer’s support should be contacted.

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References:

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• Internal Microphone not detected - Microsoft Q&A
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