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How to Fix It When a Windows 10 Microphone is Not Working

PC mic muted? Driver need an update? Or is it something else?

By Robert Earl Wells III Updated on December 31, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide There are a number of fixes you can try when your Windows 10 microphone is not working. The first step is to figure out whether the issue lies with your computer or the mic itself. Instructions in this article apply to internal and external microphones for Windows 10 PCs. Steps are the same regardless of your device's manufacturer. The steps for fixing mic issues in Windows 11 are a little different.

Causes of a Computer Mic Not Working on Windows 10

If your PC mic isn't working, it could be due to several causes, including: Faulty hardware Poor physical connections Missing device drivers Interference from other Bluetooth devices Conflicts between an external mic and the internal mic Audio input is muted on your computer. Audio input is muted on your headset. Before you begin, it helps to test your Windows 10 microphone to try and narrow down the cause. You'll likely uncover the solution as soon as you identify the reason for your problem. Many steps for troubleshooting a microphone are the same as troubleshooting headphones that won't work.

How to Fix a Windows 10 Microphone Not Working

Try these solutions in order until your computer mic is working properly: Run the Windows 10 troubleshooter. Windows 10 has a number of built-in troubleshooting tools. If you're having mic issues, right-click the Speakers icon in the taskbar and choose Troubleshoot sound problems to have Windows search for potential solutions. Look for a Mute button. External mics may have physical volume buttons, so make sure your device isn't muted or turned down too low. How to Increase Mic Volume on Windows 10 Check the device manager. To make sure your PC can detect your microphone, open the Windows Device Manager and expand the Audio inputs and outputs section, then select your mic and look under the Device Status section. If you don't see your mic listed, unplug it, and then plug it back in again. If it still doesn't appear, then the problem lies with the connection. Check your connections. If possible, use a different audio connector cable and try plugging the mic into a different USB port on the same device. If it still doesn't work, try using it with a different computer. If your mic works with other devices, then the problem could be the ports on your Windows PC. However, if it won't connect to other computers, then you probably need a new mic. Check individual app settings. Certain apps, such as Skype, have their own audio input options. If you're having audio problems in a specific app, look for a settings menu where you can choose the audio input. Change your Windows sound settings. Look under Input in the Windows 10 sound settings to make sure the mic you want to use is selected and enabled. Increase the mic volume. In the sound settings, select Device properties under your mic selection to make sure the volume on your mic is turned on. Disable other Bluetooth devices. When using a wireless microphone, other Bluetooth connections can interfere with the signal. If your Bluetooth isn't working on Windows, turn off Bluetooth on any other connected devices one-by-one to see if that helps. Update the hardware drivers. If you can see your microphone in the Device Manager, yet it's still not detecting sound, check to see if drivers are up-to-date. Most external PC microphones don't require any drivers, but you may want to check the instruction manual to see if there's any additional software you have to install. You can also do a Google search for drivers or use a free driver updater tool. Check your app permissions. Windows updates can sometimes reset app settings. If you're having mic problems with a certain app, go to the Windows 10 app permissions settings and make sure the app has permission to access your microphone. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix It When a Lenovo's Mic Is Not Working How to Fix the Microphone on AirPods How to Fix It When a Zoom Microphone Is Not Working How to Fix the Microphone on an HP Laptop How to Fix It When a Laptop Microphone is Not Working How to Fix It When Your Headphones Aren't Working on Windows 10 How to Fix It When WhatsApp Isn't Working How to Fix An Xbox One Mic That Isn't Working How to Fix It When a Windows 11 Microphone Is Not Working How to Fix It When Windows Spotlight Is Not Working on Windows 10 How to Fix It When WhatsApp Voice Messages Aren't Working How to Fix It When a Zoom Camera Is Not Working How to Fix It When Windows 10 Bluetooth Is Not Working No Sounds on Windows 11? Here's How to Fix It How to Fix It When Discord's Audio Keeps Cutting Out How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies