WhatsApp Microphone Not Working

Start with one test

Press START above and speak. If the level bar moves here, your microphone works and the problem is a WhatsApp setting or permission. If nothing moves here either, the cause is the device itself (muted, blocked or the wrong input), so use the Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android guide first.

A quick way to check WhatsApp on its own: open the chat with yourself (search for your own name or number, marked "You") and record a short voice message. If it plays back silent, WhatsApp cannot reach the microphone.

Quick checks

• Look at the call screen: a crossed-out microphone means you are muted in the call.
• Disconnect Bluetooth earbuds, car kits and smartwatches. WhatsApp often switches to a Bluetooth microphone that is out of range or asleep.
• End any other call, recording or voice assistant session. Only one app can use the microphone on many phones.
• Update WhatsApp from the App Store, Google Play or the Microsoft Store.

WhatsApp microphone not working on Android

1. Open Settings › Apps › WhatsApp › Permissions › Microphone and choose Allow only while using the app.
2. Pull down the quick settings panel and check that the Microphone access tile is not turned off. When it is off, every app records silence.
3. If calls work but voice messages fail, clear the cache: Settings › Apps › WhatsApp › Storage & cache › Clear cache (your chats are not deleted), and make sure the phone is not almost full.
4. Restart the phone. If the microphone works in the Recorder app but not in WhatsApp after all this, reinstall WhatsApp after backing up your chats.

WhatsApp microphone not working on iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings › Apps › WhatsApp (older iOS: Settings › WhatsApp) and turn on Microphone.
2. If the switch is grey, Screen Time is blocking it: Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions › Microphone must be set to Allow Changes.
3. During a call, open Control Center and check Mic Mode. Voice Isolation can cut out a quiet voice in a noisy place; try Standard.
4. Clean the microphone holes at the bottom of the iPhone with a dry soft brush and remove a case that covers them.

WhatsApp microphone not working on Windows

1. Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone (Windows 10: Settings › Privacy › Microphone). Turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone. Apps installed from a website, including most browsers, also need Let desktop apps access your microphone. Check that WhatsApp is on in the list of apps.
2. Open Settings › System › Sound and, under Input, choose the microphone you want to use. Speak and watch the input volume bar.
3. In a WhatsApp call, open the ⋯ menu in the call window and pick the right microphone and speaker. This is needed when you use a headset, a webcam microphone or a USB mic.
4. Close Teams, Zoom, Discord or any browser tab with a call. They can hold the microphone.
5. Still silent? Repair the app in Settings › Apps › Installed apps › WhatsApp › Advanced options › Repair.

WhatsApp microphone not working on Mac

1. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and turn on the app. If it is not in the list, it has never asked for the microphone: quit it, open it again and start a call or recording so macOS shows the request.
2. Open System Settings › Sound › Input, select the microphone and watch the input level while you speak.
3. In the call window, use the ⋯ menu to choose the microphone. If you use WhatsApp Web in a browser instead, allow the microphone for web.whatsapp.com in the browser's site settings and turn on that browser under Privacy & Security › Microphone.