Microphone Not Working on Windows

Microphone Not Working on Windows

Fix a silent or quiet microphone on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Stopped
Microphone
Press START and allow microphone access. The sound is analyzed on your device and never uploaded.
Level— dBFS
Frequency— Hz
Pitch— Hz
Noise floor— dBFS
Crest factor—
Latency— / —

Input & display

WaveSpectrum
(Stop the test to switch modes)
Display gainx1.00
Scope zoom×3.5

Tone & recording

Updated: November 8, 2026

Test it here first

Press START above and speak. If the level bar moves, Windows hears your microphone and only one app is affected: check that app's own audio settings or its guide. If the bar stays flat or the browser cannot find a microphone, work through the steps below in order.

1. Microphone privacy settings

  1. Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone (Windows 10: Settings › Privacy › Microphone).
  2. Turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Browsers, Zoom, Discord and most games are desktop apps.
  3. Check that the app you want is switched on in the list.

2. The input device and its volume

  1. Open Settings › System › Sound. Under Input, choose the microphone you are actually using. Windows often picks a webcam microphone or a monitor's audio input instead.
  2. Click the microphone to open its properties. Set Input volume to 70–100 and use Start test while you speak.
  3. If the microphone is not listed at all, press Win+R, type mmsys.cpl and open the Recording tab. Right-click in the list, tick Show Disabled Devices and enable your microphone.
  4. In the same window, open the microphone's Properties › Levels to check that it is not muted, and add Microphone Boost if your voice is still too quiet.

3. Mute keys, switches and plugs

  • Many laptops have a microphone mute key (often F4 or F8, with a small light). Press it once and test again.
  • Headsets usually have a mute switch on the cable or a flip-to-mute boom arm.
  • A headset with one 3.5 mm plug (four contacts) needs a combined headset jack. On a PC with separate pink and green jacks, use a splitter, or the microphone will not work.
  • For USB microphones, try a different USB port directly on the computer instead of a hub.

4. Bluetooth headsets

When a Bluetooth headset's microphone is used, Windows switches it to a lower-quality call mode, often shown as Headset or Hands-Free. Select that entry as the input. If it is missing, remove the headset in Settings › Bluetooth & devices and pair it again.

5. Drivers

  1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand Audio inputs and outputs and Sound, video and game controllers.
  2. A yellow warning sign means a driver problem. Right-click the device, choose Uninstall device and restart; Windows reinstalls it.
  3. On laptops, the microphone array often needs the audio driver from the laptop maker (for example Realtek or Intel Smart Sound Technology). Download it from the support page for your exact model.

6. Apps fighting over the microphone

  • In mmsys.cpl › Recording › Properties › Advanced, untick Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device. Otherwise one app can lock the microphone for all others.
  • Audio enhancements (and Voice clarity or Studio Effects on newer laptops) can make a voice sound robotic or cut out. Turn them off in the microphone's properties to test.
  • Close apps that run in the background with the microphone, such as Teams, Discord, game launchers and virtual audio software.