How to fix Input Audio issue?

Question

So I have a microphone that worked well for about two years until I encountered some other problem that required me to troubleshoot and mess around with settings but after doing so, my mic suddenly stopped working. It also stopped audio for coming out of any headphones for a while but Im not sure how I fixed that.

When I go into settings, it provides a list of output devices; one being my headphones, another being the computers speaker, and a mystery third option that I suspect might be my mic misinterpreted by my computer as output instead of input. For input devices, it is greyed out saying, "No input devices found".

Ive done everything I can think of. I have gone into settings to troubleshoot, I have updated and removed drivers of all sorts, Ive physically unplugged and replugged it into several different ports. I have even tried other input devices to no avail. Thats what leads me to believe that its not my mic thats wrong and its not the port or hardware, but something in my settings.

Im hoping someone can provide me with something i havent thought of. Thanks to anyone in advance!

Answer 1

Hi ,

Search for msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot, and post it here so we can see the correct laptop model or desktop configuration.

Thanks

Answer 2

Since multiple microphones now show No input devices found in Windows 11, focus on Windows detection, privacy, and audio driver reinstallation rather than the microphone itself.

1. Check microphone privacy settings.
   • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
   • Turn Microphone access On.
   • Turn Let apps access your microphone On.
   • If the problem happens in a specific app, make sure that app is also allowed.
2. Verify whether Windows can see any input device.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   • Under Input, check Choose a device for speaking or recording.
   • If a device appears, select it.
   • To test it, select the > next to the device, then use Start test under Microphone test.
3. Run the built-in sound troubleshooter.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System.
   • Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • In the Audio section, select Run.
   • In Sound settings, Windows 11 also provides troubleshooting under Settings > System > Sound, then scroll to Advanced and use Output devices or Input devices under Troubleshoot common sound problems.
4. Reinstall the audio drivers.
   • Warning: uninstalling drivers temporarily removes audio devices until Windows reinstalls them.
   • Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
   • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   • Right-click each audio device and select Uninstall device.
   • Check the box to remove/delete the driver for the device, then select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC.
   • After restart, if Windows does not reinstall them automatically, open Device Manager, right-click Sound, video and game controllers, and select Scan for hardware changes.
   • Then right-click the audio driver and select Update driver.
5. Confirm the microphone is not muted and is physically connected correctly.
   • If the headset or microphone has a mute button, make sure it is off.
   • If it is USB, try another USB port.
   • If it is a 3.5 mm device, make sure it is connected to the correct microphone or combo jack.
6. If Windows still shows no input devices, test whether the issue is broader audio-device detection.
   • Check whether headphones and speakers are connected correctly and not muted.
   • If using wired audio, verify the correct jack is used.
   • If using headphones, unplug them once to see whether Windows changes device detection.

Because other microphones also fail and Input is completely empty, the strongest next step is the full audio driver reinstall in Device Manager, followed by checking Privacy & security > Microphone again.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Fix microphone problems