In this guide, we will talk about one of the biggest issues in Windows 10 & 11: how to fix the microphone settings.
In general, Windows 10 & 11 don’t easily work with many recording devices, even if they’re part of the computer. What we’ve found through our experience is that if a mic connected to a computer isnโt working itโs usually a settings problem and not a problem with the microphone itself.
If you don’t have any problems just yet – you just have a new microphone and you are unsure how to install it – check out our microphone installation guide.
How To Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 10 & 11
Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 11 October 2021
One of the major issues when trying to fix microphone settings in Windows 11 is the slightly redesigned UI. Because of this, you’ll have to get familiar with the new Settings app and its interface. Otherwise, the process does exactly the same thing that it does on Windows 10.
First, get to the settings app and select “Privacy & Security” from the left-hand menu listing.
Afterward, focus on the right side of the Settings app and scroll down “App permissions” and “Microphone” after that.
Finally, you’re exactly on the page where you need to be. From here on out, the solution is almost seamless to understand even for beginners. Simply toggle the “Let apps access your microphone” switch if it is not turned on already. From there, turn on access for every app that you plan on using your microphone for communication and other activities.
Check If the Microphone Is Disabled
There are some instances when Windows 11 might not detect your drivers properly, seeing that it is a (very) new OS on the market. Because of this, you’ll need to check the device manager and/or, eventually, update the drivers yourself.
However, you should first check to see if this fact has “disabled” your device in the Device Manager. To access the Device Manager in Windows 10 or 11, simply type “device manager” in the search bar. Next, click on the app itself, as shown here:
Once you click on the appropriate icon, go to the “Audio inputs and outputs” dropdown, click on the arrow shape near the title, and then select your microphone device from the dropdown list. Right-click the appropriate device and select “Enable device.” That should now allow you to use your microphone properly.
Fastest Solution to Fix Microphone Settings In Windows 10 After April 2018 Update
If you’re still using Windows 10, and if the problem started after April 2018 (a major Windows 10 update), then the fastest solution might be this:
Many computers had a kind of privacy settings reset after Microsoft’s April major update. This reset made your apps and programs not able to access your webcam and microphone. Therefore, we should give them their access and permissions back. Follow me:
- Open Settings from your start menu.
Click on Privacy in order to access all your privacy settings.
- Select Microphone from the left pane and then click the Change button.
- Now, turn on microphone for this device.
- Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
- Finally in the app list, make sure to turn on microphone access for every app you want to give permission to access your microphone.
- Repeat the same exact steps but for your webcam this time.
Your mic still isn’t working?
Make sure itโs not a hardware issue
Let’s check that your mic isn’t damaged or faulty first and get that out of the way. The best way to check that is to connect your microphone to another computer running any operating system other than Windows 10.
If the microphone doesn’t work on the other computer too, that means it could be faulty. If it does work on the other computer that means you probably have a software problem on your Windows 10 computer.
On both PCs, if you’re using a desktop computer (not a laptop), make sure you’re connecting your microphone or headset to the back panel of the PC. The front audio ports aren’t always well connected to the motherboard.
Now that we know that it is a software problem, let’s get it fixed.
When you know your recording device is called โVIA HD audioโ please click here
For a recording device that is called โIDT High Definition Audio Codecโ please click here
If the problem concerns your gaming headset, or other microphone + headphones combo, check this out
For any video/audio recording software installation on your computer – check this
If none of these links above are relevant to you, keep reading.
Method I: Letโs fix some recording device settings
- Right-click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right part of the screen and choose Sounds.
- Click on the Recording tab in order to see your recording devices list.
- A list of recording devices will appear. Try speaking into your microphone, and see if there any green bars rising next to one of them while you talk (as in screenshot).
- If you donโt see any green bars skip to step 5. If you do see green bars when you talk into the microphone, but it still doesnโt work in some program, then that means that the mic is correctly configured in Windows, but the program is listening to the wrong recording device. Try changing that programโs settings.
- Check if you can recognize which one of the devices in the list is your microphone. If you found it, click on it to highlight it, and then click Set Default.
- Check again if you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone. If you do your mic is now correctly setup. If not, continue to next step.
- Double-click on the device that represents your microphone. The Microphone Properties window will appear. Click the Levels tab.
- In the โLevelsโ tab make sure that โMicrophoneโ and โMicrophone Boostโ are set to the maximum, you can do that by sliding them to the right until the first one shows 100 and the boost is set to +30.0 dB. Then click OK.
- In the โEnhancementsโ tab (if found), make sure to uncheck the โDisable all sound effectsโ checkbox.
- Now visit the โAdvancedโ tab too and make sure to uncheck the โAllow applications to take exclusive control of this deviceโ checkbox and click โOKโ. (Also uncheck the โEnable audio enhancementsโ check box if found).
- In the main recording devices panel, go to the โCommunicationsโ tab and select the โDo nothingโ radio button and then click OK.
- Restart your computer and recheck your recording devices panel. If you see green bars rising when you talk into the microphone – your mic is now properly configured!
- If you still donโt see any bars and youโre not 100% sure which one of the devices is the relevant one, try following steps 4-11 for every device on the list.
Method II: Uninstall and reinstall your microphone drivers
- Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
- Open โAudio Inputs and Outputsโ
- Left-click on your recording device.
- In the menu that opens up Click โUninstallโ.
- Physically disconnect your microphone from the computer.
- Restart the computer.
- Reconnect microphone and let Windows re-install the drivers.
- If your Windows 10 updating gets stuck, this may prevent you from getting the latest drivers automatically. Check this guide to fix it.
- If it didn’t work, I would suggest that you install the latest driver found on your computer manufacturer’s website manually, because sometimes the latest driver isn’t the one compatible with your computer. So you should search for your computer model number on the manufacturer’s website, download the latest driver that is compatible with your model number and Windows 10 and check if it works.
- If you found your computer model on the website but can’t see a version for Windows 10 there, this means there aren’t compatible drivers for it yet and you may have to wait until they release some new drivers.
- Next up are solutions only to specific devices, so if you read up to here and nothing worked, please head to our forum and weโll try to help.
Method III: Specific solution for users with IDT High Definition Audio Codec device
- Open device manager, fastest way is through the search bar:
- Open ‘Audio Inputs and Outputs’
- Double click on your recording device ‘High Definition Audio Codec’.
- Move to the ‘Driver’ tab.
- Click ‘Update Driver’.
- Then ‘Browse my computer for driver software’.
- Click ‘Let me pickup a list of device drivers on my computer’.
- Select ‘High Definition Audio Device’, and not ‘IDT High Def’, and click Next.
- You will get a warning. Click “Yes”.
- Check if it works.
Method IV: Specific solution for users with VIA HD Audio device
Many VIA users are experiencing problems with recording and/or playback since they moved to Windows 10. If you’re one of these people try to download and install Daniel_K’s modified drivers.
Method V: If the problem concerns your gaming headset or microphone + headphone combo:
First of all, make sure the connection type between your headset and your computer is the same. If your headset has 2 independent jacks, one for the audio and the other for the microphone, your computer must have independent ports as well. If it’s a 2 in 1 (one jack for both microphone and audio) then you computer must have one single port with a headset icon on it.
- iPhone earphones and other headsets’ microphones with one single jack won’t work in case your computer has two ports, splitted. So you’ll need to buy one of these splitters:
- If your headset has two independent jacks and you want to connect both of them to the one headset port in your computer you will need one of these splitters:
- If your connection is the same on the headset and in the computer, but the microphone still doesn’t work, you may try to convert to USB connection, use one of these converters:
- For 2 x 3.5mm jacks headsets
- For 1 x 3.5mm jack headsets
- For 2 x 3.5mm jacks headsets
- Uninstall any VoIP programs and applications, like Skype, Teamspeak or any other voice calling programs, then restart your computer and if your microphone works again now you can reinstall them.
Method VI: If you are using recording software
People who use recording software (Audio recording / screen recording)ย have to check that your software is up-to-date, some people reported that an old version ofย flashback expressย screen recorder was muting their microphones.
Hopefully, using these methods helped you fix the microphone settings on your Windows 10. If not, keep reading!
Please note:
If you still have problems after reading this article and going through the steps, please ask your questionย in our forum, where we have an expert on the subject that will try his best to help you.ย As we learn more information through the forum we update this article with advice that is tailored to specific devices.
Suggested Read: Best Windows Explorer Alternatives
Final Thought
Every day, we encounter different problems on our computers and other devices that require immediate response so that our work wonโt be put on hold. From typical system errors and installation of various devices to simple information about technical terms, ourย websiteย offers most of your computer-related questions, especially for Windows 10. Check us out now and you may find helpful tutorials. Or you may directly ask aboutย How To Remove Your WiFi Card.
Thanks first one was it, mic for skype was turned off
You’re always welcome Rob, glad I helped.
Thank you so much. This was such a headache for me, and we knew it was windows 10 something, but MAN, we could not find it. You are a star.
Thank you Janis, we are very glad we could help you!
I’ve tried everything but my computer mic still doesnt work. I installed the software from my motherboard supplier. Aorus B360 and it still doesn’t work. I’ve played will all the settings and still my mic doesnt pick up anything.
Hello Neil, did you try another microphone or try the microphone on other devices to make sure the problem doesn’t lay out elsewhere? Also I think the last solution you will have is to give it a shot and use an adapter to convert 3.5mm jack to USB or Vice-Versa.
You are the best!!! It worked!
Thanks Nal, we’re glad we could help!
First option worked for me.. Huge thanks, after a while and being convinced that mic is damaged or something.
Thank you, really!
You’re always welcome Milos, thank you for your comment, we’re really happy we could help you.
I closed Skype for business and my mic started working. Seems Skype was grabbing my mic exclusively
RIGHT CLICK on speaker icon on taskbar
Choose SOUNDS
Go to RECORDING tab
RIGHT CLICK on your mic
CLICK on PROPERTIES
Choose the ADVANCED tab
UNCHECK ALLOW APPLICATIONS TO TAKE EXCKUSIVE CONTROL OF THIS DEVICE
Hello Wes, yes Skype is one of the reasons behind the problem, thank you for sharing your experience.
YES!! thank you so much bro youre more helpful than the windows site itself. i cant believe you came up with tons of different solutions as well as screenshots. thanks man!!
Hey man, you’re always welcome, it will always be my pleasure to help you. Have a great day!
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH FOR THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU SAVED ME BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA XD
Always welcome!
Hey just wanted to say thanks for this article! I was lost and it pointed me in teh right direction and solved the problem – I was almost ready to throw out my mic!
I’m happy it helped you! Always welcome.
Thank you so much! It really helped me solve my issue.
Always welcome Amy! We’re glad we could help.
Great works!!! very good and excellent document!! thank you I though I already have a bad hardware, microphone works fine now in my Viber and Skype.
Thank you, we are glad we helped! Have a great day ๐
Thanks so much for this. Step 1 fixed it, but the stupid Windows privacy settings weren’t mentioned anywhere else (Windows sites included). I didn’t have voice chat for one night of the LAN party, but I will for the second night; thanks.
You’re always welcome, I’m glad we could help! Enjoy your voice chat ๐
If anyone is still having this issue, I just went through it all and nothing worked – I tried updating all the drivers, restarting, tried all the troubleshooters, tried different USB ports (this was on a Blue Snowball ICE USB mic plugged into an ASUS mobo running Windows 10 and Realtek drivers) – nothing was working and my PC could see the mic, listen to the mic and picked up the sound but it wouldn’t record to any software – Audacity, Premiere Pro, Windows sound recorder – nothing would pick up the input. I was about to go buy a sound card or just take the mic back and give up BUT…..check this out….buried somewhere on a forum I found the answer;
In Windows 10, hit the windows key or start, and type in “Privacy” – open privacy settings and on the left, glance down to the heading “App Permissions” and you’ll see about 4th or 5th one down is “MIcrophone” Go to “Allow apps to access your microphone” and flick the button to “On” – now go back and try to record and it should work.
If it doesn’t and you’ve tried everything else you may have a different problem but this worked for me after 3 days of trying everything else. GOOD LUCK!
Hello AlasdairGDM, we mentioned the privacy solution as our first method but we never met that “MIcrophone” in the app list. We will check that and add it once confirmed, thank your for your comment.
My mic works now!! Thank you very much!!!
Always welcome Zvon!
Thank you Mina and curse you windows!
HAHA you’re welcome Bob!
OMG … this post has really rescued me. I spent hours fiddling with bloody drivers and wondering why on earth the same hardware works perfectly on one Win10 and not on mine. Unbelievable, it was just a matter of allowing permissions which I never denied. Thanks so much!!!
Hello Slavomir, yeah it’s really simple isn’t it? ๐ We’re glad we helped you, good luck!
thanks you so much this sloved my problem tnx. 10/10
You’re always welcome Viktor!
I was about to buy 3rd mic, this time USB because I thought my mic jacks are dead. Thank you for 1st step, now both mic and web-cam works ๐
Yay! Good job San! You’re always welcome!
this was so simple to use!!!!!!!
Im over 50 I followed all the prompts and stuck with the microphone fixing suggestions till the end..and now it works!!
God Bless
Hello Robin, we really appreciate your feedback โบ
About a month ago when i formatted my PC, my mic stopped working in the PC.
I’ve tried built-in and external mics (through jack) and none works. Tested on other PC where it works.
I’ve searching through every post on google and done everything i could think of and nothing seems to work.
* When i configure the microphone the green bars move very slightly. If i scream full power the bar moves about halfway through. When i test the microphone no one hears anything, even if i speak loudly or yell.
* I checked for default, checked sound levels in recording, checked Volume Mixer
* uninstalled device in device manager and restarted.
* Checked for drivers on Realtek website and automatically.
* Checked privacy settings and everything is enabled
It could be the jack that’s broken/not working (PC is from 2014) but it does recognize when i plug in my headset.
Any help greatly appreciated
Hello Nicloai, yeah maybe it’s a hardware issue (broken cable, dust in port or maybe rust). It doesn’t have to work perfectly base on the fact it recognizes the headset when plugged in. But anyway, recheck the microphone boost level, maybe if you maximize the boost you will get some signal.