Microphone Not Working on Windows? – 7 Ways to Fix

A microphone is an essential component of any audio recording system. Whether you’re gaming, attending a video call, making voice-over videos, or performing any other task that requires audio recording, you need a reliable microphone. Although laptops typically come with an in-built microphone that works for many users, others opt for earphones or headphones with built-in mics as a substitute.

Dealing with microphone issues can be frustrating, and spending hours trying to fix the problem is not ideal. There are various reasons why you may experience microphone issues, such as mic access being denied to the PC, a damaged mic cable, outdated or corrupted drivers, or an improperly connected mic.

If you’re experiencing microphone issues on Windows 11 and are unsure about the cause, this article can help you troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Fix Microphone not Working on Windows 11

If the Microphone is not recording audio or you are facing any such issue, then you can follow the steps given below to fix it:

1. Check Microphone Cable 

Before making any changes to your system settings, it is recommended to check the cable of the microphone, especially if you are using an external microphone. If you notice that the cable is not properly connected to your PC, then make sure to connect it properly. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging the microphone and plugging it in again.

You should also inspect the cable for any damages or wear and tear, as this can also cause issues with the microphone. In some cases, microphones may have a detachable cable that can be easily replaced. However, if the microphone itself is damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.

2. Allow the PC to Access Your Microphone

Ensure you have allowed microphone access on your Windows PC; if not, that may cause the issue. To do so, follow the steps given below:

1.  Firstly press the Windows + I key combo to open Settings.
2. Then click on Privacy & Settings on the left pane.
3. On the right side, click on Microphone.
4. Then enable the Microphone access if it is disabled.
5. Enable the Let apps access your microphone option and then enable all the apps on which you want to use the microphone.

3. Make Changes to the Sound Properties Dialog

Another thing that you can do is make changes to the sound properties dialog. Given below are the steps to do so:

1. Press the Windows + R key combo, and type mmsys.cpl and press Enter.
2. Now click on the Recording tab.
3. Then right-click on Microphone and click on Properties.
4. Then click the Advanced tab and uncheck the checkbox for Give exclusive mode applications priority.
5. Click on Apply and then on OK to save changes.

4. Run Recording Audio Troubleshooter

Windows has a troubleshooter for every hardware and software. You can try running the recording audio troubleshooter if you face this issue. You can do so by following the steps given below:

1. Firstly click on the search icon on the taskbar and type Settings and open it.
2. Under the System tab on the left pane, click Troubleshoot option.
3. Next, click on Other troubleshooters.
4. Here search for Recording Audio and click on Run next to it.
5. Then select the device in which you are having issues and click on Next.
6. The troubleshooter will now run a scan again and fix the issue. Then you click on Apply this fix.

5. Restart the Windows Audio Service

Try restarting the Windows Audio Service and check if you still face the issue. To do so, follow the steps given below:

1. Press the Windows key, and search for Services; click on the relevant search result to open Services.
2. Here, search for Windows Audio service. Right-click on it and click on Restart.

6. Update Microphone Drivers

Outdated Microphone drivers are likely to cause this issue. You can try updating the Microphone driver to fix the issue. You can do it by following the steps given below:

1. Right-click on the Start icon on the taskbar and click on Device Manager.
2. Then look for Audio inputs and outputs and expand them by double-clicking on them.
3. Then right-click on your microphone and click on Update driver.
4. Click on Search automatically for drivers to scan for driver updates from the internet.

7. Reinstall Microphone Drivers

If updating the driver does not work, you can try reinstalling drivers. To do so, follow the steps given below-

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, search for Device Manager and click on the first option that appears.
2. Here, double-click on Audio inputs and outputs to expand it.
3. Then right-click on your microphone driver and select Uninstall device.
4. On the confirmation prompt, click on Uninstall button to confirm uninstalling the device. 
5. Once done, restart your PC and this will automatically reinstall the microphone. 

Conclusion

After following the aforementioned steps, your microphone should work properly on Windows 11. However, if the issue persists, you may want to try using the microphone with another PC to confirm whether the problem is with the microphone or your PC.

If the microphone works on another PC, then the issue might be with the audio card or motherboard of your PC. In such a scenario, it is recommended to take your PC to a technician and get it repaired.