Built in microphone is missing

Question

Built in microphone is missing as in not installed on my surface studio 2 desktop windows 11 pro

Answer 1

Try the following steps on the Surface Studio 2 running Windows 11 Pro when the built‑in microphone does not appear at all (as if not installed):

1. Confirm the correct input device and permissions
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input > Choose a device for speaking or recording, open the list and check if any internal microphone or “Microphone array” appears. If it does, select it.
   3. Still in Sound settings, under Input, select the device and choose > to open Properties. Use Start test under Microphone test and speak; then Stop test and Play the sample. Adjust Input volume if needed.
   4. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone are turned on, and that Let desktop apps access your microphone is turned on.
2. Check microphone settings specific to Surface
   1. In Sound settings, ensure the desired input device is selected under Input > Choose a device for speaking or recording.
   2. Make sure "Allow apps and Windows to use this device for audio" is allowed for that input.
   3. Adjust the Input volume slider and use Start test to verify that the mic records.
   4. If using any Bluetooth audio accessories, make sure they are correctly paired and connected so they do not override the built‑in device.
3. Verify the device is not disabled and levels are correct
   1. Go to Start > Settings > Sound > Sound control panel.
   2. On the Recording tab, look for the internal microphone. If it is disabled, right‑click and select Enable.
   3. Select the mic and choose Properties.
   4. On the Levels tab, ensure Microphone is turned up and, if present, adjust Microphone Boost. A common starting point is Microphone at 50 and Microphone Boost at +24.0 dB.
4. If the microphone device is completely missing If no internal microphone appears under Input or on the Recording tab:
   1. Open Device Manager (right‑click Start > Device Manager).
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers and confirm audio devices are present and not showing errors.
   3. If audio devices are missing or faulty, reinstall/update the Surface audio drivers and firmware:
      • Follow the guidance in Download drivers and firmware for Surface (linked from the Surface audio troubleshooting article) to manually download and install the correct drivers for Surface Studio 2.
   4. After installing drivers, restart the device and recheck Settings > System > Sound > Input.
5. Install latest updates via Surface app / Windows Update
   1. Open the Surface app.
   2. Expand Help & support and check the update status.
   3. If updates are available, select Check for updates to open Windows Update and install all available updates.
   4. Restart and verify if the built‑in microphone now appears under Input.

If, after driver reinstall and all updates, the internal microphone still does not appear anywhere (including Device Manager and the Recording tab), this typically indicates a hardware or board‑level issue and the device should be inspected or serviced.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems
• How to set up and test microphones in Windows
• Troubleshoot Surface sound and audio accessories